Christmas Kisses Collection. Louise Allen

but we got to thinking if the board has flown you all the way here then they must believe in the surgery too. We didn’t think they would go to that much trouble and expense if it wasn’t something they believe worthwhile. We just don’t know why Charlie doesn’t feel the same way as them.’

      ‘Dr Warren is a great doctor, and he has every right to have a different opinion. Medicine can be quite subjective at times and sometimes doctors differ but they both want the best for the patient. Dr Warren’s taken the very best care of you up to now but the board do agree that the laser surgery will give you the best chance of taking four babies home with you.’

      ‘We pray every day for them all. We’ve named them, you know.’

      ‘That’s wonderful. Are the names a secret?’

      ‘We have told our family and Charlie, Ella and Mr Darrington. We like Graham and Rupert for the boys and Lily and Rose for the girls.’

      ‘I feel very honoured to know, and they are the loveliest names,’ Juliet said sincerely. She thought they were such sweet, old-fashioned names but they didn’t sound very southern European at all.

      ‘I guess you’re wondering why they sound so English and not Italian.’

      ‘You’re a mind reader.’

      ‘Not really, I think we’re going to be asked that a lot but our families moved here from Italy many years ago. Leo and I met at Italian school so traditions are important but since we both come from huge families, I have five siblings and Leo has eight brothers and sisters, so the grandparents all have grandchildren named after them, and more than a few cousins share names too. We wanted our babies to be different. It’s not that we don’t love our culture, it’s just we want them to have their own identity, which will be difficult enough with two sets of identical twins, let alone if they share names with their cousins. So we have our parents’ blessings to give them very special names.’

      ‘Were you born here, or in Italy?’

      ‘Leo and I were both born in London. Leo’s grandparents did very well producing rice and maize in the region of Abbiategrasso, in Lombardy in Italy, and that’s where his surname originated. They sent his father to London for an education with the hopes he would return to his home, but instead he graduated from law, met a beautiful young Italian woman, married and settled in London raising Leo and his brothers and sisters. My grandparents’ background was in grapes and olives in Umbria. My father was also sent to London for higher education and along with his international commerce degree came an English bride, my mother, who loved all things Italian including my father. And soon,’ she said, looking down at her oversized belly, ‘there will be another instant generation of Abbiatis a long way from Italy.’

      ‘Well, I think the names are just gorgeous and I’m sure the children will make you very proud as they grow up.’

      ‘So you’re privy to the babies’ names too?’ came a deep and now familiar voice from the doorway. ‘Well, I must say you’ve become a member of the Abbiati family more quickly than I did. It took me the best part of a month before that information was entrusted to me.’

      Juliet turned to see Charlie in the doorway to the private hospital room.

      ‘I feel quite special at this moment.’

      ‘And so you should, for you know the names of the children you have been given the opportunity to save.’

      Juliet suddenly felt the weight of the Abbiatis’ decision fall squarely on her shoulders. She swallowed hard, unsure if unsettling her was Charlie’s intention. If so he had succeeded.

      ‘I will have a great surgical team, experienced—’

      ‘And ready for the unexpected,’ Charlie cut in.

      Juliet was not impressed. She had hoped his doubts would not be voiced any more but apparently that was not the case. At least she was pleased his delivery was subtle enough not to cause any concern to Georgina. She was still unaware of the professional rivalry. For that Juliet was grateful.

      ‘I would expect no less from any team, primed for success and prepared for the unexpected, but in this case I doubt there will be any surprises. We know there are four babies, and we know there’s one problem to solve and then bed rest for you for another few weeks until they are all healthy and a good size for delivery. And on that note, Dr Warren and I need to discuss the procedure and have a scheduled meeting now.’

      ‘We do?’

      ‘We do.’

      ‘Then, Georgie, I will see you later,’ Charlie said as he followed Juliet from the room. Once they were out of earshot, Juliet did not hold back.

      ‘You promised you would not try to unsettle my patient. She has made her decision and there is no point in you questioning them now.’

      ‘Your patient? Georgina is my patient and has been for nineteen weeks since the quads were identified.’

      ‘Well, she’ll be your former patient unless you promise to cease this interference.’

      ‘Since when does advice to my patient constitute interference?’ he asked as he headed in the direction of his office.

      ‘From where I’m standing that’s exactly what it is and I won’t stand for it. So please back off or I’ll be forced to go to Oliver Darrington and ask to have you removed if he wants me to stay.’ Juliet kept up with his fast pace.

      ‘Is that a threat?’

      ‘I’m not sure… I guess if you don’t accept your behaviour to be tantamount to undue interference then I really don’t have to acknowledge whether mine is a threat.’

      ‘I said in front of Georgina that you have the opportunity to save her babies. They chose your procedure. It’s now in your hands. A fact. And as for the team expecting the unexpected, that is my way of saying they are experienced and the Abbiatis have nothing to worry about. My words were designed to bring comfort to the quads’ mother and by the look on her face they did just that. Did she look panicked?’

      Juliet considered his words and began to think she might have overreacted again. ‘Well, no.’

      ‘That’s because I know my patient, I’ve been treating her for almost three months now and I have built a good rapport with her.’ He stopped outside his office.

      At that moment, an orderly appeared wheeling a trolley laden with boxes. ‘This is the last of the archived records, Dr Warren. A desk is being brought up from storage along with a chair and a sofa. Oh, and I’ve asked the cleaning crew to freshen up the office next door for the Aussie doctor as you requested and the flowers you ordered will be here first thing tomorrow. I’m sorry the office wasn’t cleaned up this morning when you asked but we’ve been flat out. I wasn’t sure if she’d arrived yet but it will be all done by lunchtime.’

      ‘I guess your office will be ready for you to move in tomorrow, then, Juliet,’ Charlie said as he left Juliet alone with another onslaught of thoughts.

      Each one of them making her feel smaller by the minute. She had once again misjudged Charlie and in the process demanded something he had already planned on providing. Before he graciously asked her out to brunch to give her the good news. Suddenly she thought the ogre’s shoes were more befitting her feet.

      Juliet collected Bea without trying to find Charlie and offering to thank him. He had already organised an office for her before she’d made the demand earlier in the day. She felt foolish and thought better than trying to make amends yet again. She had made a habit of offending him that day just as he had of offending her the day before. He had made an effort to be courteous but the orderlies hadn’t been able to deliver. The fact she did not have an office was not his fault.

      And the flowers he ordered? What on earth did that mean? After the disastrous start to