Anne Fraser – The Playboy of Harley Street (страница 4)

Not that she was his cup of tea. She was prim and serious in her buttoned-up suit, and there was that disconcerting shadow in her eyes. He liked his women sophisticated and, well, to put it frankly, not too deep.

And there were definitely deep layers to Katie Simpson. He had yet to meet someone who didn’t enjoy talking about themselves but it was obvious that she was the exception to the rule. There were times on the plane when he could have sworn she was hiding something. Back there on the tarmac, he’d seen sadness wash over her face as she’d witnessed the Hargreaves’ reunion. Was she recovering from a broken heart? A jilted lover, perhaps? It was a possibility. So that sealed it. Even if she had been his type, he would never have an affair with a vulnerable woman who was on the rebound. That was a complication he could do without. And he didn’t do complicated.

Despite the evidence of wealth everywhere, nothing could have prepared Katie for the actual size of the yacht.

Moored alongside several others, it wasn’t the biggest in the bay, but it was still larger than anything Katie had ever seen. More like a small cruise ship than a pleasure boat.

‘I’ll show you to your cabins,’ Amelia said as she led them up the gangway. ‘Then, if you think Lucy’s up to it, I promised I’d take her to the track. Mark is due to start a practice session in an hour.’ Her anxious eyes found Fabio’s. ‘If you think it would be okay for Lucy to be there? You will come too, won’t you?’

Fabio touched her on the shoulder. ‘Lucy’s doing really well at the moment and of course we’ll come to the track. That’s what we’re here for.’

‘You’re such a worry-wart, Mummy,’ Lucy said. ‘I keep telling you I’m okay. There’s no way I’m not going to watch Daddy.’ The little girl’s mouth was set in a firm line. This was the determined side to Lucy Dr Cavendish had told her about. Determination was good.

‘I guess all mothers and fathers worry about their children,’ Amelia said lightly. ‘Even when they’re all grown up. It’s part of loving someone very much.’

It was true, Katie thought, her heart twisting. Unfortunately all the worrying in the world didn’t stop bad things from happening.

Amelia hooked her arm through Fabio’s, leaving Katie to follow in their wake. To her surprise she felt a small hand slip into hers. She looked down to find Lucy looking up at her.

‘Don’t be sad,’ she said. ‘I’ll look after you.’

Katie squeezed Lucy’s hand. No doubt the little girl was used to seeing the hurt in adults’ eyes. Katie gave herself a mental shake and forced a smile. For as long as she was there, she would make certain Lucy had one less adult to worry about.

‘Sure,’ Katie replied. She dropped her voice and bent to whisper in the little girl’s ear. ‘This is a bit bigger than the boat I was on as a little girl, you know.’

Lucy giggled. ‘It’s not that big, silly.’ She pulled on Katie’s arm. ‘Come and see.’

It was that big. There was a hot tub surrounded by padded seating and a raised deck for sunbathing. To the stern was a covered area where, Lucy explained, they had breakfast. A number of white-uniformed staff drifted around with trays of cool drinks and Katie helped herself to a glass of chilled freshly squeezed orange juice. It was the perfect cure for her tight, aching throat.

After showing her the top deck, Lucy led her down some steps.

The inside was even more spectacular. An enormous lounge with what looked like a working fireplace was furnished with soft white leather couches and antique pieces, including a polished rosewood table that held a silver decanter and crystal goblets. The dining room was equally impressive. A chandelier hung over a French-polished dining table with matching chairs. It was big enough to seat sixteen. Katie hardly had time to take it all in as Lucy kept pulling her along until they came to a door. Lucy opened it with a flourish.

‘This is your cabin. Dr Fabio’s is right next door. And mine is across the passage, next to Mummy and Daddy’s.’

Cabin wasn’t the word Katie would have used to describe the room. There was a double bed, a sitting area with a television and a marble bathroom with a full bath and shower. Katie, with Lucy still watching her reaction, stepped out onto a small balcony. The marina was crammed full of yachts, most of which had people on the decks either sunbathing or sipping drinks while they chatted. Katie couldn’t be sure, but she thought she recognised at least one famous actor.

‘Wow!’ she said to Lucy. She couldn’t think of anything else to say.

Suddenly the little girl seemed exhausted and she sank back on Katie’s bed. Katie was instantly alarmed. The long journey plus the excitement had taken it out of the child.

‘Tell you what,’ she said. ‘While I unpack, why don’t you have a nap on my bed before it’s time to go to the race track? Then, if you don’t feel better, I’ll ask Dr Lineham to come and have a listen to your chest.’

‘I’m okay,’ Lucy said. ‘But I will have a sleep. Don’t say anything to Mum, will you? She’s happy right now.’

Katie’s heart went out to Lucy. Along the way she had become used to pretending for her mother’s sake.

Lucy was asleep in seconds and Katie was covering her with a blanket when there was a knock on the door. She answered it and put her finger to her lips when she saw Fabio standing there. He’d changed out of his suit and into a pair of light trousers and an open-necked, short-sleeved shirt. Katie felt over dressed in her jacket and trousers.

He glanced over her shoulder and, seeing Lucy, tiptoed into the room. ‘I was just looking for her,’ he whispered. ‘How’s she doing?’

‘Exhausted, I think. I suggested she have her nap here, where I can keep an eye on her. I think it’s all been too much for her. The journey, the excitement of seeing her parents, as well as the prospect of watching her father race.’

Fabio scrutinised Lucy’s face while feeling her pulse. He straightened and smiled at Katie. ‘She’s okay. Rest is good. I’ll let Amelia know where she is.’

‘I’ll stay with her until she wakes up,’ Katie said. ‘Tell Amelia not to worry.’

Fabio nodded his head in the direction of the balcony and Katie followed him outside. He closed the door behind them.

‘It’s important we let Lucy do whatever she feels able to,’ he said. ‘It’s what she wants. Understandably her parents would prefer to wrap her in cotton wool, but Lucy has let me know in no uncertain terms that she wants to be treated as if she were any child.

‘She doesn’t want us to treat her as if she’s a patient,’ he continued. ‘She prefers to think of us as being friends of her parents, people who are here because they want to be, rather than because she’s ill. I like to think of all my patients in terms of the family and not in isolation.’

That explained Fabio’s informal and apparently casual attitude. Katie found herself revising her opinion of him once again.

‘She’s a brave girl,’ Katie said. She looked around the marina, taking in the wealth all around. ‘My guess is that her parents would give every penny they have to have her well.’

‘And you’d be right. But they can’t.’ His expression relaxed. ‘They’re really glad to have you here, you know. They wouldn’t have risked bringing Lucy out here unless they knew she could have professional physio on hand whenever she needs it. A lot of parents do the therapy themselves, but Amelia hates doing it. She’s scared she hurts Lucy.’

‘I can appreciate that, but I think we should encourage her to give it a go. I won’t always be around to do Lucy’s physio—at least, not as often as she needs it. Besides, once they learn how to do it and get confident, many parents become really good at it.’

He studied her as if he were truly seeing her for the first time and she shifted uncomfortably under the intensity of his gaze. ‘You’re a surprise, Katie Simpson, do you know that? I get the feeling that if anyone can persuade Amelia, it’ll be you.’ He looked as if he was about to add something but then he turned to leave. ‘We’ll be up on deck if you’re looking for us,’ he said.

By the time Katie had finished unpacking her few belongings and taken a shower, Lucy was awake again. Realising that her suit was totally inappropriate, Katie changed into a skirt and cotton blouse. They went back on deck to find Mark had returned and Fabio was chatting to both him and Amelia.

As soon as Amelia saw them, she rushed over to her daughter and hugged her tightly.

‘Did you have a good sleep, sweetie?’

Lucy nodded. ‘Katie let me use her bed.’

‘Daddy is going back to the track to practise. Do you want to come and watch? Or would you rather stay here and wait to see him in the race?’

‘Mummy, I said before, I’m coming and you’re not to fuss,’ Lucy said. ‘I’m okay.’ She softened her tone and smiled at her father. ‘I can’t wait to see Daddy practise.’

Mark scooped his daughter into his arms. ‘And so you will. C’mon, then. Let’s get going.’

The race track was only a short drive from the yacht, so close they could have walked, although it didn’t seem to occur to anyone to do so. No doubt they were scared of tiring their daughter unnecessarily. As soon as Katie was out of the air-conditioned car, she smelled oil and rubber.