The Surgeon's Blade (21 page)

Chapter 24

After finishing his call to Libby, Nigel replaced his mobile in his trouser pocket and poured himself a last glass of Rioja before calling it a night. He looked pensive as he carefully went over what he and Libby had been discussing. He had seen the dreadful accident on the Southampton area motorway on the televised evening news, and he could well imagine the carnage caused in the twelve vehicle pile-up. Libby had sounded quite drained and almost tearful as she took his call. While he was pouring the wine, Stella limped into the kitchen, perched herself onto one of the bar stools and propped a bandaged leg up onto an adjacent one.

“Like another?” he asked, indicating the bottle and noting enough wine for one more glass.

“Better not. I’ve just taken another couple of painkillers and they might not agree with each other. Besides it’s getting late. Why are you still drinking, Nigel? You don’t usually have as much.”

He shrugged. “It’s been a long day, and I felt like one. I’ve just spoken to Libby.”

Stella smiled. “Was she all right? Did you tell her?”

Nigel looked at Stella thoughtfully before immediately replying. “She was fine, just sounded very tired and strung up.”

She nodded. “I’m not surprised. Dealing with a major accident is usually ghastly, especially if you’re on a surgical ward as you have to deal with patients’ wounds
and
their mental anguish. What I really meant was, did you tell her about us?”

“Yes. But in a roundabout way.”

Stella frowned and looked annoyed, so he explained. “I didn’t say it was you who’d had an accident. I said it was me, and you happened to be here in London, and very conveniently, you are able to take care of me.”

“Nigel, you never change do you? You really are a coward at times. You never said a word, did you?”

“Maybe it’s for the best, Stella. Why should I hurt her unnecessarily?”

Stella gave a short almost bitter laugh. “Nigel, you never care about the pain you cause. You must have had dozens of women over the years, and not once has it meant anything to you, except for adding another notch to your bedpost, so why would you start now?”

“Stella, please darling. We’ve both had a long day after a long weekend. I don’t want to quarrel with you.”

Stella looked immediately contrite. She edged down off her stool and put her arms around him. “I’m sure you know what you’re doing, sweetheart. Anyway, don’t let’s talk about her anymore. Let’s talk about us; that’s so much more interesting. I want to know what you’re planning for our future. Perhaps I will chance another glass of wine after all.” A look of mischief mixed with anticipation flitted across her features.

Nigel gathered Stella into his arms and gazed into her face. Her body was slim and lightly tanned, and as he drew her closer to him, he realised how well-muscled she was these days. Stella was a recent member of some gym or other, and her newfound keenness was evidently paying off. As her hand brushed against his groin, he recognised the old familiar ritual of seduction.

~~~~~

While Stella slept, Nigel was restless as he wrestled with his conscience. Moving slowly so as not to wake her, he slipped from under the covers and padded barefoot into the kitchen, not bothering to switch on a light. Stella had always been an excellent partner in bed, and tonight her appetite almost matched his own; not quite, but there was something almost feral in her lovemaking. Sex with her nowadays was quite exceptional, and Nigel wondered why. She was evidently looking after herself – her body was lean and hard – but in the past, sex hadn’t figured quite the same with her as it did him.

Then there was Libby. Nigel hadn’t wanted to forestall his plans for Libby moving in with him, but with Stella showing up a few days ago and clearly indicating she was intending to stay with him when he went back down to Southampton, he knew there was no other option. What he didn’t understand was how Stella had found out about Libby in the first place. It wasn’t any of her business, but deep down, Nigel recognised that Stella finding out about his latest love was always on the cards. During their time together, Stella managed to develop an uncanny awareness of when Nigel was cheating on her. When they were first married, Nigel was able to conduct his extra-marital affairs easily without Stella’s knowledge. It wasn’t until he accidently made one of his lovers pregnant that she guessed where he was spending a major part of his spare time, and since then, she had made it her business. Being a gynaecologist, Nigel knew exactly what to do with an unwanted pregnancy, but once Stella found out, he soon realised she was having no more of his philandering – unless, of course, he was clever enough to carry on without her knowing.

Looking back on those years, Nigel supposed Stella still retained that mysterious perception, even now when she was far away in New York or London. How else would she have known about Libby, unless she had someone spying on him? Nigel gave a sigh. He still loved Stella in his own way. She possessed this hold over him, but she was too complicated and erratic to live with full-time. She also knew far too much about him and some of his odd little ways. Libby was somewhat simpler and less demanding, more malleable.

This time, though, he thought his planning was going well. None of their joint friends knew about their relationship, and Libby losing her memory had been an added bonus. It still was, as she hadn’t twigged they’d never been engaged and Nigel was anxious she never would, until it was too late.

It was annoying she was being a stickler over wearing her engagement ring, but he was sure she would eventually give in and wear it with pride. He only needed patience, and Nigel had plenty of that.

Chapter 25

The watcher picked up the briefcase, and after twiddling the security lock until the right combination showed, flicked open the catches. Tucked inside behind one of the leather dividers, the watcher withdrew a slim jeweller’s box and opened it. Nestling on the black velvet was an exquisite ankle bracelet made of heavy silver. The stalker fingered the smooth worked metal with a tender touch and then turned the bracelet over. On the inside were the words that had been inscribed earlier, “
Mine, all mine
.”

Each one had been given such a bracelet, and they had worn it with pride, not knowing that the gift singled them out. It was as befitting as a gift could be.
They
were the chosen ones.

The stalker gave a smile and lovingly replaced the bracelet in the box. It was almost time. Soon, very soon, the final one would receive her gift.

Chapter 26

‘The woman injured in the attack last night, a 31-year-old staff nurse, was detained in St Thomas’s Hospital in London. She is being kept in the intensive care unit while the medical staff come to a decision regarding her surgery. The woman was on night shift duty when she was savagely attacked. The only information police have released at this stage is that she suffered severe lacerations to her face and abdomen. The weapon has not been identified. She remains stable. Any possible witnesses to this deplorable attack should contact….’

Robert switched the television off as Diana entered the living room. She looked at Robert. “What? Why did you turn it off? I don’t mind you watching TV, you know. Please don’t feel you have to entertain me.” She sat down in an easy chair and eased the baby from her shoulder. “Poppy’s hungry early today. I’m waiting for her bottle to warm. She’s already scoffed her solids.”

Robert smiled at the gappy-toothed infant as she cooed at him from her mother’s lap. “Would you like to give it to her? She’s very obliging.”

Robert looked very unsure as Diana handed him a square of muslin, indicating it was ‘just in case she’s sick’ and to protect his clothes. “Er, I’m not too sure about this, Di.” He squirmed in his chair.

Diana laughed as she walked back towards the kitchen. “Don’t be such a coward. She won’t bite you know. Steve’s become a real dab hand at feeding her.” Robert jiggled the baby around a bit, obviously scared witless she just might start crying if she was separated from her mother.

“Here you are. Are you comfortable? That’s it. Just lean back in your chair and relax! She knows what to do,” Diana said, holding a warmed bottle of milk out to Robert. “I believe she’s grown in the short time we’ve been here, Steve’s going to notice a difference with his darling daughter when he arrives from Cyprus.”

“It’s all right for Steve – he’s had practice recently. It’s been ages since I’ve done this.”

Diana studied him while he fed her baby. She thought she knew what was going through his mind. She decided to say nothing, thinking the contact with an infant would do him good. Eight ounces of milk later, a burped, contented Poppy was happily playing with her assortment of rattles once Diana relieved Robert of his nursing duties.

“That wasn’t too bad, was it?” she asked gently.

Robert glanced at her, and Diana knew instantly he understood she hadn’t simply meant feeding her child. “Do you want to talk? I loved her too you know.”

~~~~~

Robert sighed. Diana was right. Of all the people he knew, his cousin, Diana, had been the closest to his dead wife, Morwenna. In fact it had been her who had introduced the dark-haired, elven-faced Welsh girl to the young Royal Air Force pilot all those years ago. Robert knew Diana had noticed how he and her best friend became tongue-tied in each other’s presence. She had noticed the surreptitious looks and sidelong glances that eventually led to a then bashful Robert asking the bright, pretty nurse out to the pictures.

After that initial painful phase of discovering and overcoming their shyness, within weeks, Robert and Morwenna were head over heels in love. Robert knew he was up for promotion leading to an overseas posting, so forestalling his seniors at work, he asked Morwenna to be his wife.

Even now, he still recalled the look of happiness and astonishment on his darling girl’s face when he had knelt down on one knee and produced a sapphire – her birthstone – engagement ring. “Please say ‘yes’,” he had begged from his place on the ground, gazing into her eyes with an intensity she found compelling. “If you refuse me, I don’t know what I’ll do.”

In response, she had flung her arms around him and whispered a breathy answer in his ear. When they returned home together, it was Diana to whom they gave their exciting news.

“I knew it,” she said, laughing. “As soon as I saw you two together, I reckoned you would hit it off. Mind you, even I’m a bit surprised at how quickly you’ve made your decision. Has this got anything to do with your pending promotion, Robert? Wait until Stephanie hears about this! She’s been like the proverbial cat on a hot tin roof ever since I told her about you. I can hardly wait to see her face.”