‘Not now, Lauren.’ He stood up. ‘The doctor’s coming over.’
‘Mr Daniels’ relatives?’ The young doctor stood in front of them, a tired-looking man with long hair that grew wildly down to his shoulders.
‘Yes,’ Alex nodded tersely.
‘Well, I’m afraid Mr Daniels has suffered a slight heart attack. You probably guessed that?’
‘Yes,’ again Alex nodded.
‘Yes, well, I won’t deny the seriousness of it, but for the moment he’s out of danger. Rest and no worries should take care of his speedy recovery.’
‘Oh, thank God for that!’ Lauri felt quite faint, not realising the strain she had been under until this moment. ‘Thank God!’
Alex turned to her. ‘Sit down, darling,’ he encouraged gently. ‘It’s been a great shock for you.’
Lauri did as he said, colouring at his easy use of the endearment. ‘When will we be able to see him?’ she asked the doctor.
‘He’s in intensive care at the moment, but later on today he should be moved to a private ward. Your instructions I believe, Mr Blair?’
‘That’s right.’ Even in denims and casual shirt Alex managed to exude an aura of authority.
‘You and your wife can go and see him for two minutes now. No more than that,’ the doctor warned. ‘Mr Daniels is still a very sick man.’
‘We understand. And thank you.’
‘Why didn’t you tell him I’m not your wife?’ Lauri demanded as soon as the harassed-looking doctor had left them in order to go to another emergency.
Alex shrugged. ‘It wasn’t important.’
‘It was to me! So far today I’ve been called Laurence’s daughter and your wife, neither of which is true.’
‘Let’s go and see Laurence,’ he said impatiently. ‘What does it matter what or who people think you are?’ he snapped. ‘Stop being so damned stupid!’
Her mouth set in an angry line, but she made no comment, realising that to argue with him now would be in very poor taste. No matter how he denied it he was concerned for his brother-in-law, conscious that it was the argument between them that had caused the other man’s collapse.
Laurence was awake when they entered the room, although the greyness of his face and the blue tinge to his mouth showed how ill he still was. He put a hand out towards Lauri when he saw her, a slight smile on his lips as she took it into her own.
‘Stupid thing to do,’ he muttered.
Lauri smiled. ‘It didn’t happen through choice.’
He turned to Alex. ‘Not your fault,’ he said weakly. ‘I’ve been heading for this for a long time.’
‘But I didn’t have to precipitate it,’ Alex scowled. ‘Lauren said it was my fault, and it was. I’m sorry, Laurence. I had no right to try and interfere.’
‘Then you haven’t—’
‘No, I haven’t,’ Alex sighed. ‘We’ll be back to see you tonight. You’ll be better for a few hours’ rest. And don’t worry about a thing.’
Lauri squeezed Laurence’s hand. ‘I’ll come back tonight too, shall I?’
His eyes lit up. ‘Please,’ he said huskily.
‘She’ll come with me,’ Alex
told him.
‘I—’