Doctor

"All right," Faith began determinedly after the meal. "Would you like to tell me why Dr. Solve Clarke's presence? ”She asked in the direction of her aunts, as if the man wasn't there at all.

Polly and Molly glanced at each other, uncomfortable and embarrassed.

"I'll take over the practice," Lucian Clarke spoke up.

"What?" Faith stared at him, aghast.

"I'll take over your father's practice," he repeated calmly.

"I must have a say in that," she exclaimed angrily.

Molly got up. “Emily, I think the adults have something to discuss. Maybe we'll go over to our house that long and I'll show you our rabbits. You will definitely like them. "

"Oh yes," the little one nodded enthusiastically.

Faith, her lips pressed together, waited for the kitchen door to close behind them, then went on dismissively, "I'm very sorry, Dr. Clarke, there must be a misunderstanding. The practice is not up for grabs, I'm afraid my aunts were a little hasty. "

She returned his penetrating gaze coolly, determined not to let those light gray eyes confuse her.

There was a moment of embarrassed silence.

"There's no need to break this over the knee now," Polly said hastily and put a reassuring hand on Faith's arm. “You had a long drive and tomorrow is the funeral. Why don't you take a rest and sleep over it for a night? "

A dull tug on the back of her neck announced the beginning of a headache, and she would have loved to take her aunt's advice and go to bed. But she sensed that there was something else, and besides, she wanted things cleared up, the sooner this guy left, the better.

"No Aunt Polly, I think we should sort this out now," she insisted. “You shouldn't have made such promises over my head. I'm sure you meant well, but that wasn't what I wanted. "

Polly looked at her unhappily. "It wasn't us," she muttered gloomily. “Your father did that with Dr. Clarke agreed. "

"My father," Faith repeated flatly, her face pale. She jumped up abruptly. "One more reason," she said gruffly. “As I said, I'm sorry, Dr. Clarke, but you came here in vain. "

Before either of them could say anything else, she turned on her heel and left the kitchen.

Lucian looked after her, surprised by Faith's violent reaction.

"Dr. Clarke, please excuse me, ”Polly tried to convey. "The death of her father hit my niece more than she wants to admit, it must have all been a bit much for her."

He looked thoughtfully at the gray-haired woman. "I suppose she doesn't know her father sold me the house?"

Polly shook her head. “No, and now would be a bad time to tell her. Please keep it to yourself, I'll talk to her, and I'm sure she won't mind your taking over the practice either. "

"That didn't sound like that," he commented dryly.

"She hasn't had a very good relationship with her father the last few years," Polly said gloomily. “But she will see that this is the best solution, she lives in London and is not interested in the practice anyway. Just give her a little time. "

She looked at him intently, and finally he nodded.

“All right, it'll be a moment anyway before I'm ready to open the practice. I have no intention of interfering in any family affairs either. "

“Thank you,” Polly beamed at him, “I knew right away that you had a good heart. We will speak to her and I am firmly convinced that everything will work out. "

Faith was sitting behind the old mahogany desk in her father's study, her face on her arms and crying.

When a hand stroked her hair lovingly and comfortingly, she lifted her head.

"How could Father do that?" She asked accusingly.

Polly took a pile of files from one of the chairs that were standing around, laid them on the floor, and then sat down with her niece.

“You left six years ago and have led your own life ever since. He didn't think the practice meant anything to you, ”she said reassuringly.

"We both know that's wrong," Faith said angrily. “I've always been interested in the practice. If I hadn't found out what he was up to then, I would have stayed here. It was my dearest wish to continue this one day, and he knew it very well. He only did it to get back at me for doing what my mother couldn't do, which was to leave him. "

Polly squeezed her hand gently. “I know it's bad for you. But do you want Dr. Clarke let it all pay off now? He's a very nice man, and it's not easy for him either. Apparently he had problems with his ex-wife, and now he's all alone with Emily. The child is probably not doing well with the situation either, and apparently he was hoping to find a new beginning for himself and the little one. Do you really want to send him away again? "

"I'm really sorry for him," Faith muttered, "but I have my own worries and can't take them into account."

"You're going to be returning to London in a few days anyway, so you wouldn't mind if they both move in here."

Faith gave her aunt an unhappy look. “I planned to stay here, at least for a while. I actually wanted to discuss that with you after the funeral. "

“But what happened? What about your career What about Gabriel? ”Asked Polly, aghast.

"I gave up my career," Faith said. “And Gabriel,” she spat out the name contemptuously, “is history. I never want to see this person again. "

Polly felt that there was a lot more hidden behind her niece's anger, she clearly heard a deep pain in her words.

"It's okay, you don't have to talk about it now," she said understandingly. "If you need an open ear, you know that we are always there for you."

"Thanks Aunt Polly." Faith managed a wry smile. "And as for the practice ..."

"Dear, even if you stay here for a while, there will definitely be a solution," Polly said soothingly. "Please sleep over it first and don't make a hasty decision."

"All right," Faith sighed after a moment's thought, "I'll think it over until tomorrow."

Polly nodded satisfied, and gave Faith a hug. "That's how I know you," she smiled. “Then you should Dr. Maybe let Clarke know, the poor man will be glad to hear you didn't pull him out right away. "