Chapter 4

"Oh Mrs Ormerod! It's so good to see you up and about, you look so well." Brigid gushed as Caroline walked into reception a few weeks later for a post-surgical check-up. Caroline smiled politely but inwardly all she wanted to do was move away from this tiresome woman and get out of the ghastly hospital.

"Thank you, Sister." She responded tightly before walking off.

Jill, sat at her desk, was about to ask for her next patient so she was surprised when a knock came at her door.

"Come in." she called, expecting a member of staff so she was both shocked and horrified when Caroline strolled in, a heavy feeling tinged with guilt settling in her chest. "Caroline, hello." She stuttered breathlessly.

"Hi Jill, I'm just on my way to see Mr Rose for my post-surgical follow up." Caroline's smile was too sickly sweet for it to be genuine.

"Oh right, well how are you feeling?" Jill's mind raced and raced like a greyhound on a never ending track.

"I am pretty good; Gordon's been a real sweetheart." Caroline almost leered and Jill bit back the jealously.

"Well he was very worried about you." Jill responded, through her strained throat.

"Anyway, Gordon told me all that you did for him and the children whilst I was ill so I've come by to personally thank you." Something in her tone made Jill wonder for a second if she knew about the subsequent love affair between her husband and his colleague.

"Well it's the least I could do." Jill finally responded gently.

"And also I wanted you to be the first to know the good news." As Caroline continued, Jill's stomach fell. She couldn't be pregnant. She felt sick and suddenly light headed. If Caroline was aware of her reaction, she gave no indication. "Gordon and I have decided to relocate to Bournemouth to be with dad."

Jill was beyond speechless as her stomach dropped. She struggled for something to say until she finally settled on a simple smile and an exclamation of surprise at the decision.

"I can't say, I won't miss the pair of you and the children but it would be nice for Henry to see the children as they grow up." The doctor forced herself to say. She felt a sudden urgent desperation but knew she could not show it. "When were you thinking of moving?" She asked, not really wanting to hear the answer.

"Well there's lots to sort out but dad said we can live with him whilst our house sells up here and that way Gordon can look for another job too." Caroline gushed and Jill's heart entered a rhythm not dissimilar to tachycardia. "So probably we could be gone by the end of next week." Caroline continued and Jill was stunned.

"That soon? Wow." She tried to sound enthusiastic. "Gordon never said."

"No he wanted to tell Mr Middleditch first but since you've been a real friend to the family you deserved to know first. Oh! And we are we're having a party tomorrow night at the Grande if you can make it."

Jill couldn't imagine anything she'd rather attend less than a leaving party for Gordon but she smiled politely anyway.

"Well I'll certainly try." She offered and Caroline, having spied the time suddenly became agitated.

"Oh my lord would you look at the time! Mr Rose will be waiting for me." And with that she left and Jill sunk further into her chair, a trembling hand over her mouth as she tried to regain control over her shaky breathing.

"Lizzie, do you know who is on call tomorrow night?" Jill asked the receptionist who quickly scanned a piece of paper.

"Erm… Doctor Cheriton, doctor." She responded and Jill's head fell slightly.

"Lizzie, could you change it to me? Let's just say there's a function I want to get out of." Jill asked conspiratorially. Lizzie looked confused but nodded none the less.

"Yes Doctor." She answered. Jill thanked her then took her next patient. She went for Mrs Childs but an uneasy awkwardness ensued when she ran into Gordon as he was about to grab his own patient. Jill looked scathingly at him for a moment as he smiled a greeting.

"I hear congratulations are in order." She spoke in a hard and somewhat cold tone. Gordon looked at her with confusion. She only allowed her eyes to flicker in his direction for just a moment before she continued to just look ahead. "I was invited to your leaving party this afternoon. I hadn't even been aware that you were going anywhere." She responded, not trying to sound bitter. Gordon stared at her in disbelief.

"Caroline had no right to talk to you." His comment made her wonder if he ever intended to tell her and the thought made her furious. Though she kept her voice level, sensing her annoyance, Gordon began to offer an explanation but Jill cut him off.

"Gordon you don't have to explain, you are doing what is best for your family. I understand. I'm your friend Gordon and I'm happy for you." The emphasis on the word 'friend' made his heart drop before he realised how selfish the thought was; he couldn't expect her to be hung up on him forever or to wait to see if his marriage would fail again. But he also knew if it wasn't for the children and wanting to keep the family as a whole as possible, he and Jill would be together and they'd both be happy instead of miserable and pained. By the time he had finished thinking; she had moved away and was escorting Mrs Child's to her office.