Page 59 of Lost in Love

Chapter 18

Anna strolled down the high street, too tired to run home to prepare her dad’s lunch like she normally would. She knew the only way she was getting through the rest of the day was with coffee, and she needed it sooner rather than later. She crossed the road and headed to the tearoom.

“Coffee please, Gloria,” Anna called over as she entered.

“Back on that are we?”

“Seems so,” Anna replied nonchalantly.

“What does the doctor think about that?”

“I don’t really care.”

“You had a falling-out?”

“Not sure we had a falling-in,” Anna muttered.

Gloria eyed her as the coffee filled the cup. “You looktiredout, love.”

Anna tried to stifle a yawn behind her hand. Why did the mere suggestion of being tired always give one the urge to yawn? “I’m trying to finalise a guidebook for the abbey.”

“Burning the candle at both ends, are we?” Gloria passed her the coffee. “This will wake you up.”

“Thanks.” Anna blew on it and took a sip. “We’ve got a photographer coming tomorrow, so I need to plan the shots we need taken.”

Gloria put her hands on her hips. “That all sounds exciting, but don’t you go overdoing it.”

“As if I would, Gloria.”

“Send my love to Harry for me.”

“I will. I’m just on my way to sort his lunch.” Anna headed for the door.

“And your own, I hope!”

Anna opened the door and turned back to Gloria. “Of course.”

Although she was nervous about the photographer’s impending arrival, as they would only get one chance to capture what she needed, she was also excited. The guidebook was currently just words, and she was eager to bring it to life with photographs of the abbey. She was desperate to finalise the text but was anxiously awaiting the arrival of some research she had asked for from an old colleague at the National Archives.

She was relieved to hear crunching of envelopes underfoot as she stepped into the house.

“Sorry, love, I meant to pick them up,” Harry called over from his chair.

“It’s all right, Dad. I’d rather you leave them for me to get. You might never get back up.”

Harry chuckled.

Anna pulled the junk mail out and threw it in the bin.

“You been all right, Dad?” Anna tore into the remaining letter as she walked over to him.

“Yeah, I watched some of that Poirot boxset you got me. Could you change the disc for me before you go?”

“Of course.” Anna pulled out the letter and instantly realised it wasn’t the research she was waiting for.

She only picked out a few words as she scanned it: General Medical Council, misconduct, Dr Atkinson. Numbness infused her body, and she perched on the arm of the sofa to read the letter more properly. She could ascertain that Katherine had been reported for misconduct. There was a paragraph about inappropriate relationships with patients and their families and one that stated that the council required a written response as soon as possible.

Katherine breaking it off with her was now starting to make a lot of sense. She was trying to save her career, and Anna had meant nothing to her. Her heart rate quickened; she could feel it pulsing in her neck.