‘You’re right that there is no flattening of the cheek.’ He addressed the remark to Jenna, gave the little girl a wink and strolled across the room to wash his hands. ‘Jayne, I’m happy with her, but that bruising is going to get worse before it gets better, and so is the swelling. I’m guessing your worrying is going to get worse before it gets better, too. I’ll have a word with Janet on Reception so that she knows to slot you in if you feel worried and want me to take another look.’

‘You don’t want to X-ray her?’

‘No. I don’t think it’s necessary.’ Ryan dried his hands and dropped the paper towel in the bin. ‘Look, why don’t you bring her back to my surgery tomorrow morning anyway? That will stop you having to look at her every five minutes and decide whether you need to bring her back.’

Jayne Parsons gave a weak smile. ‘You must think I’m a total idiot.’

‘On the contrary, I think you’re a worried mum and that’s understandable.’ Ryan scribbled a number on a scrap of paper. ‘This is my mobile number. I drive past your house on the way to and from the surgery—just give me a call if you’re worried and I can drop in. Take care, Lily.’

Mother and child left the room, more relaxed, and Jenna stared at the door. ‘Do you give your mobile number to every anxious patient?’

‘If I think they need the reassurance, yes. Glenmore is an isolated island. It makes people more reliant on each other. They’re in and out of each other’s lives.’ He gave a faint smile. ‘As I’m sure you’ve noticed.’

She swallowed. ‘I’m sorry about Evanna and Hamish—’

‘Why are you sorry? None of it is your fault.’ Ryan sat down at her desk and brought Lily’s notes up on the computer screen. ‘They just can’t help themselves. Matchmaking is like eating and breathing to the people of Glenmore.’

‘It happens a lot?’

‘All the time—although I’ve pretty much escaped it up until now. That’s one of the advantages of being a doctor. There are a limited number of people on this island who technically aren’t my patients.’

‘I expect they’ll back off soon.’

‘I wouldn’t count on it.’ Ryan typed the notes with one finger. ‘Do you want a lift to the beach barbecue? I could pick you up on my way past.’

‘I haven’t even decided if we’re going.’

‘If you don’t go, they’ll come and get you. Come. Lexi would enjoy it. All the teenagers go. She seems to have made friends. Whenever I see her, she’s smiling.’