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had a few steady relationships which never seemed to have what it takes to survive long term. He wasn’t looking for a relationship at the moment he said. And he didn’t flinch as he said it.
    Felicity found him very easy to get on with and before she knew it her lunch hour was over and she felt like she hadn’t had any where ne ar long enough in his company; b ut his words I’m not looking for a relationship at the moment stung like a knife. He must have been terribly hurt by his last girlfriend to make him feel like that. She knew how he felt. She too had been hurt. She hadn’t had many steady relationships. She had almost married when she was twenty three. Steve had been the love of her life. They ha d gone through college together; shared a flat together; had two holidays abroa d together and she assumed…….. e veryone assumed they would end up together but it wasn’t to be. After a two year engagement he suddenly broke it off and went travelling with a mate. He had never returned. The last she’d heard he was in Australia and was not coming home.
    ‘I……… I’d better go. I have to open the shop.’ She stood up to leave.
    ‘Yes. I have to get back to work too. It’s been lovely to meet you properly Flick.
    It was good to have lunch… to talk to you. I’d like to see you again, if that’s ok? As friends, of course. We haven’t really talked about you. I’m sorry’
    ‘No. Well, you know my number. Thank you for lunch. It was good. I enjoyed our little talk.’
    He watched as she climbed into her little Mini and drove off. She was such a sweet intelligent girl with a genuine kind personality and very pretty. R are qualities.
    He had felt quite at ease with her. But h e had made his feelings quite plain that he didn’t want a relationship and was regretting that statement already .
     
    They had told him to go home and get some sleep but the dark haired man would not budge from her bedside. Ellie had watched the two of them all morning. The girl had scarcely moved a muscle. Occasionally she had opened her eyes and moved her fingers and the dark haired man would instantly move closer to her, whispering to her all the while in a soft soothing voice. Ellie had heard him whispering those three special words, I love you ......... but the girl lay silent. She had thought of talking to him; asking him if his wife or girlfriend, whichever she was, was feeling any better. She had imagined saying to him, ‘At least that awful coughing has stopped’ , but the dark haired man hadn’t acknowledged her presence............. or anyone else’s. To him there was only one patient on the ward; or only one he had eyes for.
    And then they moved her. An empty bed was brought in and the girl was wheeled away in her bed; the dark haired man in hot pursuit.
    Ellie stared across at the empty space.
    ‘Lunch is on its way’ said a cheery voice. Anita was on duty and was writing something on the clip chart at the foot of her bed.
    ‘Where have they taken her?’ asked Ellie.
    ‘To an observation room a little farther up; closer to the desk so we can keep an eye on her.’
    ‘It was touch and go last night wasn’t it? I saw them rushing her away.’
    Anita looked puzzled.
    ‘You must be mistaken Ellie. She’s been quite stable since they brought her in............
    And they certainly haven’t rushed her off anywhere. Now you try and get some rest dear. Doctor will be round after lunch.’
    Rest! Rest was what she hated the most. Ellie sank back into her freshly ‘plumped’ pillows. Had it been a dream?
    ‘Anita?’
    ‘Yes dear?’
    ‘Please .......... keep an extra special eye on Sarah. I have this feeling about her.’
    The nurse looked shocked initially, then smiled and went about her duties.
    That night while Ellie slept, Sarah went into cardiac arrest and the dark haired man left the hospital, never to return.
     
    Ellie had been in hospital fo r two weeks . She could walk now, but only with the aid of