The Doctor's Engagement

Her heart pounding, Holly wrapped her arms round her waist, her legs shaking as she watched Mark lift the young drunk, pinning him against the wall with a frightening show of strength.

Holly flinched. She’d seen Mark angry before, of course. When they were young he’d always been a bit too quick with his fists for the liking of the teachers, but she’d never seen anything like the cold fury she saw in his eyes now.

‘Don’t you ever, ever lay a finger on anyone in this practice again,’ he growled, easily resisting the teenager’s feeble attempt to escape.

‘Let me go! I’ll sue you for this.’ The drunk struggled again and Mark’s grip tightened.

‘Go ahead.’ His voice was soft and so loaded with menace that Holly wasn’t surprised to see the younger man pale. ‘Just don’t ever touch my fiancée again. Or I’ll give you plenty to sue me for.’

‘He—he didn’t really touch me,’ Holly muttered, but Mark’s mouth set in a grim line.

‘From where I was standing it looked as though he was touching you.’

‘Your fiancée—?’ The young man tried to focus and then gave a drunken grin. ‘I

didn’t know she was your fiancée.’

‘Well, you know now.’ Mark’s tone was icy cold but Holly could see that he was back in control again. Just.

He released the boy suddenly and flexed his fingers, disgust in his eyes as he looked at the swaying figure in front of him.

‘Are you sure he didn’t hurt you, Holl?’

‘He didn’t hurt me.’ Her voice was little more than a whisper and Mark gave her a quick glance, his face darkening as he scanned her pale features.

He turned back to the youth, his expression contemptuous. ‘Sit down before you fall down.’

Steven sat without question, looking at Mark with some trepidation.

‘So are you going to sew up my arm, or what?’

‘I’ll sew up your arm.’ Mark walked across to Holly and pulled her towards him, slipping his car keys into her hand as he spoke to her in a calm, quiet voice. ‘I want you to go and sit in my car and wait for me.’

Holly didn’t argue. She didn’t want to argue. She was just happy for him to take charge.

She walked quickly through Reception, ignoring the inquisitive looks she received. Once in the car park she found Mark’s car, unlocked the door and sank down into the comfortable leather seats with her eyes closed.

Mark joined her less than fifteen minutes later, fine lines of tension visible around his dark eyes.

‘That must have been a rush job,’ Holly said, running her tongue along dry lips and forcing a smile. ‘You didn’t give the local anaesthetic time to work.’

‘I didn’t use local anaesthetic,’ Mark said roughly. ‘He was too drunk to notice what I was doing. Unfortunately. A bit of pain might have brought him to his senses.’

‘Maybe.’ Holly gave a wan smile and he turned to look at her, his dark eyes concerned.

‘You’re still shaking. Are you all right?’

‘Yes.’ Holly clenched her hands together in her lap, her knuckles white. ‘It wasn’t his fault, Mark. He didn’t really do anything. It was me. I just panicked.’

‘But he touched you, which he shouldn’t have done, and that was enough to frighten you to death. And what I want to know,’ Mark said softly, ‘is why?’

She stared at her hands in silence, not knowing where to start.

‘Look at me.’ His soft command made her lift her chin and face him.

‘Mark, I...’

His eyes held hers. ‘Why did he frighten you so badly, Holl?’