Unknown (11 page)

Sophie shook her head, still staring at the phone. Fancy being rejected twice on the same day. Oliver wanted her to go back to Greg. And Greg didn't want her back. Was she missing something important here? Still grappling with the new and rather disturbing notion, Sophie turned to find herself under intense scrutiny. Not, as she had expected, from Janet Muir, but from Oliver Spencer.

When had he come in? He was holding a patient file. Dimly, Sophie remembered hearing the files being sorted. Just before Greg had told her he loved her. Before she had repeated the same vow. She could see the echoes of it in Oliver's dark eyes. Sophie straightened her spine. What did she care what Oliver thought? Right now, she'd had quite enough of dealing with men. Sophie turned away and leaned over the counter.

'Pagan? Would you like to come through now?'

If Pagan Ellis's pregnancy was starting to show it was well disguised by the flowing, long dress in shades of orange and crimson. Her thick, dark hair was piled on top of her head today, with long, curling wisps catching on the large, hooped earrings.

'I've decided,' Pagan told Sophie breathlessly. 'On the beach.'

'Have you?' Sophie tried to sound interested. 'Can you take your shawl off for a minute so I can take your blood pressure?'

The tangle of bracelets and bangles made their familiar musical accompaniment to Pagan's movements. She took no notice of Sophie winding the cuff around her upper arm.

'Dolphin Point,' she said dreamily. 'Isn't that perfect?'

'I have no idea where it is,' Sophie confessed. She put her stethoscope into position and began to deflate the cuff slowly.

'It's out on the Banks Peninsula,' Pagan informed her. 'Sort of across the harbour from Akaroa.'

Sophie silently finished her measurement. She removed the cuff, folded her stethoscope and sat down at her desk to record the result, still silently. She put the pen down carefully and looked directly at Pagan.

'That would be at least two hours' drive from Christchurch,' she said flatly.

'Plus the boat ride.' Pagan grinned. 'There's four-wheel-drive access to the beach but it's a bit of a long haul and I've only got my bike. I don't drive.'

'Neither do I,' Sophie said firmly. 'At least, not that far and especially not that far to try and deliver a baby.'

Pagan Ellis was unperturbed. 'My midwife, Wendy, has got a four-wheel-drive. She's quite happy to give you a ride. She's really keen. I think she wants to end up on the six o'clock news for the most unusual birth story.'

'The birth might very well end up on the six o'clock news,' Sophie told Pagan seriously. 'It might well be a disaster story involving the death of a mother and/or her baby due to unforeseen complications. I imagine the hunt for whoever was responsible for medical care and the criticism for allowing it to happen would be an absolute feast for the media.'

'Oh, nothing's going to go wrong,' Pagan said serenely. 'I've had a tarot reading and my clairvoyant is quite happy. I've been going to her for years. It's really hard to get an appointment. She's booked up for months in advance. People fly in from all over the country to see her. She knows what she's talking about.'

'I'm sure she does.' Sophie wondered, briefly, whether the clairvoyant's bank balance was healthier than her own. 'But I know what I'm talking about, too, Pagan, and I'm not happy at all. I'm a GP registrar. I haven't had a lot of experience with even normal deliveries, but I do know some of the complications that would be impossible to deal with outside a hospital setting.'

Sophie proceeded to list the complications. Even graphic scenarios of severe haemorrhage, hypovolemic shock and death didn't appear to register with her patient. Pagan waited until she had finished and then smiled.

'I took that prescription you gave me for the multivitamin tablets when I went to see Iris. She's my clairvoyant, you know.'

'Very appropriate name,' Sophie murmured.

'Anyway, she knew just by holding it that you were
the right person. I have every faith in you, Sophie.' She leaned forward eagerly. 'I want you to share this experience with me. I think you'll find it life-changing.'

'That's what bothers me.' Sophie was feeling worn down by Pagan's unshakeable convictions. She decided she would have to back off for the moment. 'Did you think about the blood tests and ultrasound scan I suggested?'

'No.' Pagan shook her head and a few more tendrils of hair floated loose. 'I mean, yes, I did think about it and, no, I don't want them.'

Sophie saw a glimmer of hope. 'These tests are really the only way of getting any sort of reassurance that the birth will be uncomplicated. I would feel a lot happier about this if I had some evidence that the pregnancy is normal.'

'Would you?' Pagan looked surprised.

'Ultrasound is the way dolphins communicate, you know, Pagan.' Sophie felt suddenly inspired. 'Bouncing sound waves off things to get a picture. It's the same idea with a scan of the baby. Quite an Aquarius thing, I would have thought.'

Pagan's eyes shone. 'You're quite right, Sophie. Book me in, then.' She jumped to her feet.

Sophie held the door open with some relief and took her down to see Toni.

'Pagan wants a scan booked at Women's, please, Toni. In a fortnight. She'll be about fifteen weeks by then.'

Pagan leaned over the counter and nodded wisely at Toni. 'I
knew
Sophie was the right person. I'm never wrong about auras.'

* * *

'So! You've persuaded Pagan Ellis to have a scan.' Oliver's head appeared around Sophie's door later that afternoon. 'That was well done.'

'It wasn't all that difficult,' Sophie said modestly. 'I still need to talk her into having the routine blood tests and maybe even amniocentesis, but I am rather pleased, I must say. It's a bit of a relief, really.'

'I'm sure it is.' Oliver stepped inside the room and closed the door behind him. 'You've had quite a productive afternoon. You've sorted out a difficult patient and your relationship.'

'Sorry?' Sophie's eyes widened.

'I wasn't eavesdropping intentionally.' Oliver's smile was a little forced. 'But it sounded like you patched things up with Greg quite nicely.'

Sophie shrugged. 'There wasn't anything to patch up,' she said levelly. 'Not any more.'

Oliver frowned. 'Didn't I hear you tell the man you loved him?'

'As a friend, yes,' Sophie agreed. 'That's all.'

'Did Greg know that?' Oliver's question was surprisingly sharp. 'How did he feel about that?'

Sophie stared at Oliver accusingly. 'I don't remember you being very concerned about Greg's feelings when you offered yourself as a comparison.'

'Perhaps you're wrong.' Oliver folded his arms and leaned back against the door. 'Every man deserves to be sure that his future wife is being honest with him. Did you tell him about the wedding date you had planned?'

Sophie said nothing.

'Have you told him that you're not wearing your engagement ring any more? That even the dateless wedding is off?'

Sophie still remained silent.

'Who are you really lying to, Sophie?' Oliver inquired softly. 'Greg—or me? Or are you just trying to keep your options open?'

'Why would I do that?' Sophie felt genuinely bemused by the accusation. What on earth had she done to provoke this attack from Oliver?

'To check out whether there's something better on offer. Like most women do.'

'It that what you think I'm doing?' Sophie felt all the anger Oliver had generated the first time he'd kissed her return in full force. 'You've got a real nerve, Oliver Spencer. I didn't ask you to flirt with me. I certainly didn't ask you to kiss me.'

'You didn't exactly fight me off either,' Oliver said smugly. 'Or tell me to get lost.'

Oliver's tone was infuriating. It was her fault that Oliver had made advances because she hadn't said anything to put him off. It was her fault that Greg had found another woman because Sophie
had
said something to make him look. Couldn't men take responsibility for their own actions? In love with this man? Huh! She didn't even
like
him!

'Shall I tell you now, then?' Sophie asked coldly. 'Read my lips, Oliver Spencer. I am not interested in you as anything other than my supervisor in general practice training.' Her mouth twisted sardonically. 'In fact, given your low opinion of women, I'm surprised you bother with us at all.'

'I don't usually,' Oliver said slowly. 'My marriage was enough to put me off. I thought maybe you were different.'

Sophie was stung, as much by Oliver's words as the look of disappointment he was wearing. So, she hadn't come up to scratch. Sophie gave in to the urge to defend herself. 'No. Women are all the same, Oliver. The problem is that we want something that men like you aren't capable of providing.'

'Oh?' Oliver expression became guarded. 'And what might that be?'

'Commitment,' Sophie snapped. 'Something that means a lot more than sex.'

'Is that all you think I'm interested in?' Oliver had the nerve to look surprised.

'Of course it is.' Sophie glared at him. 'You're a man, aren't you?'

'So what was the problem with Gary, then?' Oliver demanded. 'Wasn't a five-year engagement enough of a commitment?'

Sophie was furious. 'That's none of your business. At least Greg has never suggested I'm only stringing him along so I can see what else is on offer. He'd never be so insulting.'

'Perhaps you'd better marry the man, then,' Oliver suggested. His tone became sarcastic. 'Before some other woman snaps up such a prize.'

'Perhaps I had,' Sophie snapped. Oliver Spencer's charm was definitely superficial. The man was arrogant, cynical and downright offensive. If she'd only known his real opinion of women she could have dealt with him a lot sooner than this. 'And perhaps you'd better find a woman who's as shallow-minded as you are and put the rest of us out of our misery.'

Oliver blinked in surprise. He was silent for a moment, searching Sophie's face as she glared angrily at him. His own expression seemed to soften. His lips twitched as though he was trying not to smile. 'Did you have someone in mind?'

Sophie snorted incredulously. If Oliver thought he could appease her by switching on the charm, he was very much mistaken. She'd had enough exposure to gain immunity. 'I'm sure Josh could help you out,' she said dismissively. 'I'm beginning to think you're two of a kind.'

'Typical men,' Oliver nodded. 'Only interested in sex.'

'Exactly.' Sophie looked at Oliver resentfully. Did he find something amusing about all this? 'In fact, hasn't he already found you someone?'

'Oh? Who?'

'Christine.' Sophie announced airily.

'Christine?' Oliver rolled the name around his tongue. He looked blankly at Sophie.

'Christine Prescott, The drug rep,' Sophie explained kindly.

'Ah! Christine of the morning teas, mouse pads and miniskirts.' Oliver pronounced the last observation with relish.

Sophie spoke through gritted teeth. 'That's the one.'

Oliver was staring at Sophie again. His expression was anything but blank. 'Is that what you think I should do, Sophie?

'It's entirely up to you, Oliver.' Sophie kept her gaze carefully neutral. 'She could well be more receptive to your particular brand of charm than someone like me.'

'Do you think so?' Oliver looked thoughtful. 'You might have something there, I suppose. It's not a bad idea.' Oliver nodded as he reached for the doorhandle. 'Not a bad idea at all, really.'

It was a terrible idea.

Oliver could think of nothing he fancied less than asking Christine Prescott out. Except maybe losing Sophie Bennett for good. She had really got under his skin with her inclusion of him amongst a generalisation of men lacking finesse or the ability to commit themselves. Coming on top of the wave of despair he had experienced, overhearing her telling the wonderful Greg that she loved him, it should have been enough to put off any man in his right mind.

Oliver, however, wasn't in his right mind. He hadn't been since the first moment he had set eyes on Sophie Bennett. About the same moment he had spotted that damned engagement ring twinkling on her finger. OK, so he had teased her a bit, letting her know how much he enjoyed her company, but his antennae had been well tuned to pick up any indication that the attention had been unwelcome.

Maybe he had only been interested in sex initially. It was hard to ignore the blazing desire she aroused in him. But the attraction had gone way beyond that by the time he'd really got to know Sophie. When' he'd set out to analyse why he'd felt so jealous of Greg that weekend he had been with Sophie, it hadn't been because the man had had a claim on Sophie's physical attractions. It had been because he had a claim on the rest of her life. It had been the thought of her with someone else for ever that had made Oliver realise just how much he cared. The realisation had been unsettling enough to even make him revise his long-held aversion to the state of matrimony. Maybe, if you chose the right person, it
could
actually work. It could be exactly what Oliver wanted, and needed, to achieve real fulfilment in his life.

When he thought about it all, which happened with disconcerting regularity, Oliver actually had more to be annoyed about than Sophie. He
had
been encouraged, however unintentional the encouragement had been on Sophie's part. And she
had
lied to him about her wedding date. If she had any inkling at all about how destructive his marriage had been she would know, that the fact that Oliver had been prepared to overlook her dishonest behaviour represented a depth of commitment he wouldn't have believed he could still summon.

Maybe he was prepared to forgive the lie because it had been so obvious. Sophie Bennett couldn't lie to save herself. That tell-tale flush on her pale skin. The blaze of guilt in those wide, blue eyes. If anything, Sophie's attempt to deceive him had simply underlined her basic integrity. She hadn't even been able to keep it up. He'd played it cool when she'd confessed. He'd even suggested she had another go at her relationship with Superguy—just to let her know that it wasn't his intention to break up her engagement if that was what she really wanted. He hadn't expected her to rush off and coo over the phone to him, however.