“I’m afraid that’s past tense,” Christina said bitterly.

“Oh, sweetie, not necessarily.”

“Then why were they walking down the wharf together? Why is she even on the island? Andy told me they’d broken up.” She snorted. “And I believed him.” Then, in spite of herself, she asked, “Is Andy still out in the hall? With Anastasiya?”

“I didn’t see him.”

Christina slowly shook her head. “So he left. They left.”

“You mean they were here before I got here?”

“Yes.”

“Did Andy come talk with you?”

“I told the nurse to give him his girlfriend’s fur hat and to tell him to go away.”

“Yes, I saw Anastasiya put it on your head. That was nice of her, don’t you think?”

“Oh, of course,” Christina said crabbily. “She’s a real live angel.”

Mimi sighed. “You’re overreacting. You don’t know the facts. You don’t know why she’s here, and if Andy left the hospital, it’s what you told him to do. Listen, sweetheart, Jacob’s going to buzz me when I can open my shop again, so I’ll have to rush off.” As she spoke, Mimi’s phone buzzed. She held it up to Christina, waved, and stepped out of the room.

“Thanks for coming, Mimi,” Christina called.

The privacy curtain rattled as a white-coated physician entered the room. It was Dr. Fegley, a brusque but beloved older man who’d seen generations of Nantucketers grow up.

“Hello, Christina. I hear you’ve had a little adventure.”

“Not such an adventure,” Christina said. The doctor’s presence made her sniff back her tears and sit up straight. He’d been her doctor since she was a child. “A water main broke. I fell. I bumped my bum and got cold, but basically, I’m okay.”

“Let’s just check you out.” Dr. Fegley went through the usual routine. “Do you hurt anywhere?” he said.

Christina sniffed. “My pride’s hurt, that’s all. It was really humiliating.”

“You’re young. I’m not worried about your pride.” Dr. Fegley stepped back. “Actually, I’m not worried about you at all. Your temperature is normal, you’re showing no signs of disorientation or dizziness or nausea. Anything you want to mention? Headache? Double vision?”

“Nothing like that. I’m hungry, that’s all. I missed my lunch.”

The physician laughed and patted her knee. “I’d say you’re good to go. You can always call me if you start to feel faint.”

“I will. Thanks, Dr. Fegley.”