Summer Kisses. Sarah Morgan

to drink by Conner’s antics. Died five years ago and did his son bother turning up to his funeral? No, he didn’t.’

      Flora flew to Conner’s defence. ‘He’s a man now, not a boy. And no one knows what happened in his childhood, Mrs Parker.’ He hadn’t told anyone.

      She paused for a moment, lost in thought as she remembered the love of her own family. Just what had Conner endured? She remembered the day she’d walked along the cliffs to his house.

      She remembered the shouting.

      ‘Well, I tell you this much,’ Mrs Parker said firmly. ‘That boy isn’t capable of warmth or sensitivity and he doesn’t care about anyone but himself. I still don’t believe he’s a doctor. He never did a day’s studying in his life and as for the way he dresses—well, I mean, Logan’s always smart in trousers and a shirt, but Conner hadn’t even shaved! He looked—’

      Handsome, Flora thought helplessly as she fumbled with the bandage. He’d looked impossibly, outrageously handsome.

      ‘Dangerous,’ Mrs Parker continued with a shudder, watching as Flora finished the dressing. ‘Who in their right minds would trust him with a medical problem? He causes more problems than he solves. Not too tight, dear.’

      ‘It has to be quite tight because we need the pressure on the ankle.’

      ‘I couldn’t believe it when I heard Janet booking patients in to see him. I said to Nina Hill, “Well, that’s going to be interesting to watch. Now he’ll get his comeuppance because no one will see him.’” Having delivered that prediction, Mrs Parker paused expectantly and Flora glanced up at her, realizing that some sort of response was required.

      ‘They’ll see him, Mrs Parker,’ she said quietly. ‘That was then and this is now. Conner is well qualified. And it’s great news that Logan finally has help. Super.’

      ‘Super?’ Mrs Parker gaped at her. ‘You think it’s great news?’

      Far too loyal to reveal her own reservations, Flora secured the bandage. ‘Of course. Logan is barely managing on his own. We need another doctor on the island.’

      ‘Well, don’t imagine for one moment that Conner MacNeil will make a difference! Even if he is a doctor now, which frankly I doubt because everyone knows that these days you can fake everything for a price, there won’t be a soul on this island who will trust his opinion.’

      Flora took a deep breath and tried to speak. ‘Mrs Parker, you really shouldn’t—’

      ‘Anyway, enough of that conversation.’ Mrs Parker apparently didn’t even notice the interruption. ‘I refuse to waste the air in my lungs on Conner MacNeil when there are so many more important things going on around us. I meant to say to you, John Carter was seen talking at the school gate with Meg Watson. Now, that’s an interesting match, if you ask me. She’s a single mother and he’s …’

      Realising that a two-way conversation wasn’t required, Flora stood up and washed her hands, only half listening as Mrs Parker regaled her with all the latest island gossip.

       How could Conner not be hurt by the negative reaction of the islanders?

      Was he really as indifferent as he seemed?

      If it were her, she’d be completely mortified.

      She tugged a paper towel out of the holder and dried her hands, part of her brain listening to Mrs Parker while the other half thought about Conner. He’d built a shell around himself, and who could blame him?

      ‘So what do you think, dear?’

      Realising that this time Mrs Parker was waiting for a response, Flora turned. ‘I honestly don’t know,’ she said truthfully. ‘I couldn’t give an opinion.’ And even if she could, she wouldn’t. ‘Don’t forget it’s important to walk when you have a venous ulcer.’

      ‘Yes, yes, I can’t possibly forget because you keep telling me.’ The elderly lady put her foot on the floor and tested it gingerly. ‘Oh, that’s much more comfortable. You’re a wonderful nurse, dear. Simply wonderful.’

      But a useless gossip, Flora thought wryly. ‘That’s very kind of you, Mrs Parker.’

      ‘Not kind at all. I’m only saying what everyone else is saying.’ Angela Parker slipped on her shoes. ‘We’re all so thrilled that you’ve come back to the island to take over from our Kyla. Only yesterday I was saying to Meg in the café that we could have ended up with some mainlander with no idea how things work on Glenmore but, no, Dr MacNeil managed to tempt you back. When your father died I thought you might never return but then Nina reminded me that your aunt is here. Did you miss it when you were away?’

      Flora felt a sudden shaft of pain as she thought of her father. She still missed him. ‘Well, I suppose I—’

      ‘Of course you did and now you’re back, which is perfect. And Logan has been in desperate need of a practice nurse since Kyla and Dr Walker left, and what with poor Evanna being so pregnant.’ Without waiting for Flora to respond, Mrs Parker forged ahead like a ship in a force-nine gale. ‘Well, we all know that Dr MacNeil is worried about her, given the tragedy with his first wife. Not that Evanna should have a problem in that direction. She’s a girl with good childbearing hips.’

      Flora winced and hoped that no one repeated that comment to her friend and colleague. ‘Logan doesn’t seem worried,’ she lied, ‘and Evanna is a midwife, so if anyone understands her condition, she does!’

      ‘Do you really think she should still be working, this close to having that baby?’

      Aware that whatever she said would be spread around the island by nightfall, Flora once again kept her answer suitably neutral. ‘She isn’t on her feet that much. She’s just doing the odd morning clinic.’ She sat down at her desk and updated the notes on the computer. ‘It’s fortunate that their house is attached to the surgery. At least she doesn’t have to come far to work and I do all the community calls so she doesn’t have that to cope with.’

      ‘You see? That’s what I mean. It’s great that you’re back.’ Angela Parker picked up her bag and stood up. ‘Everywhere I go I hear people saying, “Have you seen our Flora? Doesn’t she look well?’”

      An intensely private person, Flora felt herself shrink slightly inside. ‘People are talking about me?’

      ‘Of course,’ Angela said cheerfully. ‘A new nurse on Glenmore is big news. People are thrilled. We’re all hoping you’ll meet a nice young man and then you’ll be a permanent fixture on the island. Glenmore is a good place to raise a family, dear.’

      A family? ‘I think it’s a bit soon to be thinking of that,’ Flora said faintly, deciding that it was time to end the conversation before gossip about her ‘wedding’ reached the pub. ‘Your leg is healing well, Mrs Parker. Make an appointment to see me again on your way out.’

      ‘Yes, I’ll do that. I certainly won’t be seeing Conner, that’s for sure.’ She sniffed. ‘I value my health far too much for that.’

      Flora opened her mouth to reply and then realised that no reply was expected because Angela Parker was once again answering her own question.

      ‘I think this time Logan will discover he’s made a mistake.’ She slid her bag over her arm. ‘If he’s not careful, he’ll find himself handling the summer singlehanded and that won’t be an easy task with a toddler and a new bairn.’

      Knowing that to comment on that statement would trigger a conversation she didn’t have time for, Flora stood up, worried that she’d never finish her clinic if all her patients had as much to say as Angela. ‘It was nice to see you. Don’t forget to put that leg up when you’re sitting down.’

      ‘I always do that.’ Angela opened the door. ‘Take care of yourself and give me regards to your aunt.’