| |
––––––––
Christian and Geraldine were enjoying family life. With the reduction in after-school clubs and activities, they had more time to spend together. Each evening they sat down to a family dinner where phones were banned at the table and they talked to each other about their respective days. After the shock of the terrorist attack, Geraldine appeared to have forgotten about Laura and had decided to take up an evening class in Spanish where she was hoping to make some new friends. Christian had deleted all traces of his chatrooms from his computer and phone and at weekends was trying to get back into jogging. That was when he wasn’t trying to keep on top of the garden which was still growing alarmingly. Frustrated by some of the shrubs and trees he had set about removing them and was researching some easier to maintain and slower growing varieties.
He had been offered a position at another clinical unit but the salary was a poor match for that at ClinTry and he had decided to stick with Ron Radford’s empire for the time being. Should the initial results on the cancer patients appear favourable it was likely that Cancer Research would increase their funding for trials of the particular drug and more patients would be able to benefit. It was exciting times and could be a real game-changer in the field of cancer therapy.
He and Ron had developed a rapport of mutual respect and there was no doubt that the new owner of ClinTry was a formidable businessman. Sidney Failsworth was managing the accounts and it looked like they would soon be in much better financial shape.
The spectre of Laura hadn’t disappeared completely but loomed less often. Sometimes at night she flitted into his dreams and he awoke in a state of agitation. He hoped that he hadn’t called out her name as memories of their passionate love-making would take a while to fade. He wondered whether she had managed to snare her next prey and was busy toying with them like a cruel cat with a mouse. He had learnt from his mistakes and realised on a daily basis what a close call it had been. He could quite easily be living in a bedsit and experiencing a messy and painful divorce. Although he had come to his senses it had been Ron who had helped him through the crisis and had somehow engineered a solution. They both had a hold over each other but hopefully for the time being their relationship was in a state of equilibrium.
**
Ron and Maureen were having breakfast on the patio as it was such a nice morning.
‘So, what are you plans today?’ asked Ron.
‘Well, I’ve got a meeting with the caterers about menus. I need to check which dates they’ve got free in August. Then after that I’m going to have an initial look in town at wedding outfits.’
‘You can go up to London, you know. I want you to have something really special.’
‘I know. What’s your day like? Don’t tell me, packed with meetings.’
‘Busy as usual but I enjoy it.’
‘I’ve been thinking about what you said about needing some admin support now that Celia has left you in the lurch, so to speak. I’d be more than happy to help you. I can type reasonably well and use a laptop. It would be fun working together.’
‘Maureen, you’re so good to me but I won’t hear of it. You need to relax more. Besides you’re busy with our wedding.’
‘Well, the offer’s there, if I can help in any way.’
‘I’m glad you mentioned it actually. I think I’ve found someone to take Celia’s place. I’ve offered her the job and once she’s worked her notice then she’ll be joining us.’
‘Oh, really. How did you find her?’
‘Someone recommended her to me. She’s very good apparently. Has a lot of initiative. That’s what I need.’
‘Sounds great. What’s her name?’
‘Laura. Laura Bentley,’ replied Ron, smiling.
––––––––
THE END
