Chapter One

      ‘OH, DR TREMAYNE, Kate left this for you.’

      Nick stopped by the reception desk and took the sealed envelope from Sue, glancing at it in puzzlement. How odd…

      ‘Is she still here?’

      ‘Yes, I think so, but she’s about to go. She has to pick Jem up from holiday club. Do you want me to find her?’

      ‘No, it’s OK.’ He gave the envelope another glance, and with a curt nod to his patients as he passed them, he went into his room, closed the door and slit the flap open with his forefinger as he dropped into his chair behind the desk.

      He drew out a single sheet, handwritten in her elegant, decisive script, and as he smoothed it out with the flat of his hand he stared at it in disbelief.

      Monday 12 April

      Dear Nick,

      I’ve written to the PCT, and will tell Chloe and all my other colleagues and friends over the next few days, but I wanted you to know first that I’ve decided to leave Penhally and my post here as midwife. I’m putting my house on the market and Jem and I will move away from here over the summer, in time for him to start secondary school in September. It’s the right time to go, as far as his education is concerned, and I thought we could move closer to my mother in Bristol.

      I’ll miss the practice and all the people in it, but it’s time for us to move on. There’s nothing here for me any more.

      I would just like to thank you for all the support and kindness you’ve shown to me over the years.

      Yours,

      Kate

      Stunned, Nick scanned the letter again. She couldn’t leave. Where the hell did she think she was going? And taking Jem away…

      He pushed back his chair and crossed to the window, pressing his hand against the cold glass and staring out numbly at the sudden squall that had sprung up. The rain was streaming down the pane in torrents, bouncing off the roofs of the cars outside, and people were running for cover.

      Including Kate. She wrenched open her car door, and as she got in her head lifted and she met his eyes, holding them for a moment through the lashing rain, then with a tiny shake of her head she slammed the door, started the engine and drove away, leaving him staring after her.

      He sucked in a harsh, juddering breath and turned on his heel, moving away from the window before he put his fist through it in frustration. The letter was lying there on the desk, taunting him, and he crumpled it up and hurled it at the bin. It missed, and he picked it up, crushing it tighter in his fist.

      Why? Why now, of all times, when he’d begun to feel there might be a chance…?

      There was a tap on the door and old Doris Trefussis popped her head round and came in with a smile.

      ‘Cup of tea for you, Dr T., before you start,’ she said brightly, ‘and a couple of Hazel’s fairings. I saved them for you.’

      ‘Thank