Chapter 2

Her first proper full day at Wyndcliffe, gave Julia no time to brood over Barnabas. As she had expected from the workload of the previous day, returning to Wyndcliffe was turning out to be a job and a half. Along with reacquainting herself with the patients, there was also the administrative side of things to catch up on.

By the time she had any time to herself, it was close to 1 AM, and she sank down into the comfortable sofa, with a sigh. Closing her eyes, she leaned her head back, taking a moment to just relax. She opened her eyes, slowly, as the silence of the apartment, became noticeable. For the first time, that she was aware of, her thoughts turned to Collinsport, and Barnabas.

She rose to her feet, and crossed to the window, peering out into the darkness, in the direction of Collinsport. What would he be doing now, she wondered? Her heart skipped at the thought of him, she turned away from the window abruptly. Had he even realised that she had left? Would he even care? The thought made her pause, and again, her glance fell on the telephone. Had she done the right thing? Her head told her she had, but her heart was telling the opposite. She knew it would be hard, and that she had to take each day as it came, but, perhaps, if she called...to hear his voice...

With an effort, she turned away from the phone, telling herself that she was strong; she was stronger than this. If Barnabas hadn't noticed her absence yet, then he soon would. And then it was up to him.

Going to her writing desk, in an effort to get her mind off Barnabas, she began working on the advert for an administration assistant.

Willie walked into the living room of the Old House. Barnabas was sat in his customary place by the fire, head bowed, staring into the fire. He didn't look up when his friend entered the room.

Willie walked about the room, with an agitated air. His way of trying to hide his anger, and not really succeeding. After deliberately snapping a book shut, and replacing it unceremoniously into the bookcase, did Barnabas finally lift himself out of his reverie.

"Something is bothering you, Willie," he stated, turning his gaze back to the fire. "What is it?"

Willie nodded hands on hips. "Yeah, somethin's botherin' me," he said, his lips curling slightly. "I was wonderin'' why I bother, with an insensitive jerk, like you."

Barnabas turned, and then rose to his feet. "I beg your pardon," he asked dangerously, his dark eyes, burning with fury.

"You can beg, but I don't think I'm willin' to give it," said Willie, facing Barnabas, squarely. He gave the appearance or calm, but inside he was shaking like a leaf. He'd never spoken to Barnabas like this before, and he doubted if he'd ever have the courage to do so again. But what he'd done to Julia... Thoughts of her fuelled his anger, and he clenched his fists. "Not after what you've done," he added, his chin setting firmly.

"May I remind you, of who you're talking to," fumed Barnabas, moving closer to the younger man, using his height to intimidate him. But Willie wasn't backing down. "And what's this nonsense of my having done something?" Barnabas went on.

"It ain't nonsense, Barnabas!" said Willie shaking his head, determinedly. "And if you carry on, like this, it won't be just Julia, you'll drive from Collinwood!"

Julia sighed, and rubbed her aching neck. She hadn't realised that interviewing could such exhausting work. She'd held interviews for the past three days, and none of the applicants she'd seen so far, measured up. She made a few notes on the last candidate, before, calling through to reception and the next candidate.

Returning her attention to the resume of her next applicant, she inadvertently sent the pile of resumes sliding to the floor. Muttering under her breath, she bent to retrieve them, as a knock announced the new arrival, and she bid them enter, not seeing whom it was.

When she finally returned her attention to her visitor, she first registered shock, and then surprise. "Philip!"