ROXANNA FELT SLY fingers tickle her hips, followed by a lewd wiggle against her bottom. A kiss landed on the top of her head.
"Hello you."
She stepped away. "John, you know that isn't appropriate, especially at work."
He perched on the counter and smiled at her. "I guess you're irresistible, especially in that silk blue blouse and those cute little skirts. I chose that blouse for you, remember?"
"You were with me when I bought it. Not quite the same thing." She tried not to smile. He was looking particularly suave in a black Armani suit and shirt, no tie. It was hard not to give him frank admiration and her cheeks flushed with the effort.
"I've still got it then," he said smugly.
"Shut up!" She nudged him playfully. "You're not playing fair. You know how easy it is to upset Henrik. It's time you accepted I'm with him now. Either talk about work or leave me to get on."
John sighed, putting as much drama into it as he could. "If you insist. I thought I'd join you in theatre today, if you need some back-up."
"I can't promise how long it will take. The tumour looks straight forward but they rarely are."
"It means we spend more time together. Up to our elbows in blood, but still..."
"John, don't. I know you're hurting, but I've made my decision. Henrik and I have always been close. We're just not … you're too much for one person. I'm not even sure what I mean by that, but …"
"I think I do," John said softly. He pressed a tender kiss to her forehead.
"We're going away," Roxanna said, moving away again.
John looked alarmed. "Where?"
"It doesn't matter. We're taking a well-earned vacation. Quality time, John, away from here. Away from you and … this."
"What?"
She smiled gently. "You being you, John. I need to be with Henrik and give him my full attention. It's almost impossible to do that here."
He nodded. "I see your reasoning. Where did you say you were going again?"
"I didn't. I'll see you in theatre this afternoon."
"Of course." He went away whistling.
"I THINK IT'S sweet," Essie said, watching Henrik and Rox talking together in his office.
"That's one word for it," Dom replied.
"What word would you choose?"
"Complicated. Especially with the Professor still around. In fact, I'd call it a car crash in slow motion."
"In what way?"
Dom considered the question. "Well, she loves Hanssen, and Hanssen loves her, but she also has feelings for the Professor, and I would bet my gay arse Mr. Hanssen does as well. As for the Professor, I can't imagine him settling for one if he could have two for the same price."
"Wait, so Professor Gaskell…" Essie scratched her head. "No. He just doesn't like losing face, that's all."
"And I don't appreciate being the subject of idle gossip either, Nurse De Lucca." John stood behind them, scowling.
Essie snatched a patient file off her desk and scurried away. John looked past Dom's shoulder to where Roxanna and Henrik were talking.
"What's happening in there?"
"Don't ask me. God forbid I would ever indulge in idle gossip." Dom beat a hasty retreat.
John watched Henrik and Rox for a moment. Rox was animated. She looked happy, excited even. Henrik had something in his hands, a folder of sorts. When he looked up, he caught John's eye. Hastily, he put the folder in his desk drawer.
At the top. Right hand side.
After a moment, the two of them left his office and headed down the corridor. As soon as they were out of sight, John slipped into the office and opened the drawer.
Then he spied the calendar on the wall, and he smiled.
"I HEARD YOU and Rox were going away." John kept his attention on the pipette he was holding, depositing tiny droplets onto a slide.
"Who told you that?"
"It's on the calendar in your office. South Africa, I believe?"
"Yes, that's right." Henrik stayed in the doorway, watching him.
"I'm thinking of going away soon." John glanced up at Henrik with a smile. "Somewhere hot. Sunny. See some wildlife."
Henrik shifted, immediately wary. "She's made her choice, John. I thought that was clear."
John stood up. "Yes, but have you?"
"I don't know what you mean."
"I mean … maybe Rox isn't quite enough?"
"In what way?"
A light laugh. "Don't make me spell it out."
"Well…" Henrik took a step back towards the safety of the corridor. "We'll find out when we're away. I think that's the main purpose of this trip, to see whether we really are suited or we're hanging on to some ancient fantasy. I know I love her, and I believe she loves me, but that isn't the same as enjoying each other's company."
"It's a risky move," John said warningly. "Three solid days on a train, followed by four days stuck on a game reserve."
"You seem to know a lot about it." Henrik hoped Rox hadn't been talking too much. She did get rather voluble when excited about something.
"Don't worry, it didn't come from Rox. You left the brochure in your desk, where you knew I would find it."
John had the unnerving ability to read his mind. Henrik folded his arms defensively across his chest. "I think we need some time away from the realities of everyday life, to really understand what we want from each other."
John's smile widened. "I couldn't agree more."
Henrik was silent for a while, watching John work.
"Do you really love her?" He asked finally.
John sat back on his stool, considering the question. "Rox is … special to me. As for love, I don't know. Define it for me. What is love, Henrik? What does it mean to you?"
Henrik considered the question. "Feeling light when they are around. Feeling safe. Missing them whenever you're away from them, even when it's at the other end of the corridor. Wanting them to be the first person you talk to when things are troubling you, or if news is good."
John nodded. "Yes, that feeling of a part of you being missing. The completeness of one's being when they are by your side. I know. I feel that. Every day I feel that. With Rox, with you…"
"How can that be?"
"I don't know, Henrik. It's just the way it is. And I believe you feel the same, but you have to reach that conclusion by yourself. Neither Rox or I can help you."
The beep of a pager made Henrik start. It was John's, calling him up to Keller ward.
"I'm joining Rox in theatre. Think about what I said." John rested his hand lightly on Henrik's chest for a brief moment, vivid blue eyes smiling up at him, before walking down the corridor.
"FIRST CLASS? ARE you mad?" Henrik was shocked as they checked in their luggage. Roxanna tutted at him.
"Henrik, it's my money, so I can spend it how I like, and I don't want you complaining for the whole flight that you can't stretch your legs out. Flying economy would be like taking a giraffe on the London Underground. Uncomfortable and awkward for everybody." She smiled at the girl behind the desk as their cases were whisked away on the conveyor belt. "Come on, I need some champagne to help me sleep. You're going to have a single malt and I won't hear another word."
Henrik trailed after her as they went through security and into the First Class Lounge, remembering what Ric had told him. Tucked safely in his suitcase was an original Panama hat and Factor 50 sun cream, as well as some new linen shirts. He had refused point-blank to wear shorts of any kind.
Also, his dinner jacket had been packed. It was mystery as to why he needed it, but no doubt all would become clear once they reached Johannesburg.
His grumbles were only token, to wind her up. He enjoyed watching her organise, take control. It was a relief, if he were honest. Booking overseas trips had been limited to a long weekend in Sweden a few months before, and he was too wrapped up in his work to really put his mind to anything more complicated. Even though her home was chaotic, Rox really did know how to get things done, and seeing how happy she was lightened his heart.
Now, heading towards the plane, he felt a lighter than he had for months. Years even. They were escaping to a foreign land. He was with the woman he loved. Nothing would make it any better.
Almost nothing.
As they handed in their booking cards, he looked around yet again.
"What do you keep looking for?" Roxanna asked in the end.
"No-one." Henrik smiled down at her. Half of him with relieved, and half disappointed.
Perhaps it was for the best.
FORTY-EIGHT HOURS later, they were standing outside a private railway station just outside the city. The previous day had been relaxing, getting over the journey and catching up on the sleep he had missed on the plane. First Class didn't guarantee a first-class sleep, although the food was acceptable.
Rox hadn't stopped smiling since being informed they had been upgraded to the Royal Suite.
"Imagine! A bath on a train. I can't wait." She nibbled at the delicacies provided for them in the luxurious waiting room and looked around at the gathering passengers. There would be seventy in all, from all over the world. They exchanged nods and smiles, everyone knowing they would be spending the next three days together and already deciding who to talk to first.
Henrik also assessed each passenger as they were checked in, but he and Roxanna were called to the train before being able to register who exactly was on board.
The train had been fitted out in old-fashioned oak panelling and chintz, with a feeling of 1920's chic about it. Although Henrik had to stoop slightly in the suite, the bed was enormous and looked incredibly comfortable. They were taken through how everything worked by their call manager, who told them about the facilities on the train. Rox handed over Henrik's dinner jacket, somewhat crumpled by the journey, and was assured it would be back before dinner that night, fully pressed.
On the chunky oak writing desk was a domed platter of tropical fruit, ready prepared, and neat boxes of biscuits and tea. Everything was provided, including a bottle of champagne and two bottles of water, and everything for making tea. Roxanna went through it all, exclaiming in pleasure. She sniffed at the bath gels and felt the dressing gowns.
"They've thought of everything," she said. "This is going to be so wonderful, Henrik!"
Henrik had opened the brochure and the first thing to fall out was a list of the other passenger names. One jumped out at him at the very same moment he heard his own name being said. He hastily tucked the list away and smiled at Roxanna.
"Yes, this is going to be a most fascinating trip." For the first time, he really meant it.