That Conner MacNeil had seduced her and that it wouldn’t last five minutes.

She took a large slug of her drink and then realised that Conner was looking at her, his gaze curiously intent. Unable to look away, she slowly put her glass down on the table.

He gave a faint smile and something in that smile worried her. He looked…resigned? Tired?

She looked away quickly, telling herself that she was reading something into nothing. Of course he was tired. They were both tired. Neither of them slept much any more. Because they weren’t able to conduct their relationship in daylight, they’d become nocturnal.

‘I’m going to have to make a move.’ Evanna rose to her feet with difficulty, a hand on her back. ‘I never realised how uncomfortable these chairs are.’

Conner drained his glass. ‘I don’t suppose any chair is comfortable when you’re carrying an elephant around in your stomach.’

Evanna laughed good-naturedly and Flora reached for her bag, grateful for the change of subject.

Jim was back with the lads, laughing about something that had happened to the lifeboat crew, and Conner was listening to Logan talking about his plans to extend the surgery.

For now, at least, it appeared that their secret was still safe. Although how long it would take for the locals to realise that she was the girl that Conner was seeing was anyone’s guess.

And then what would happen?

* * *

Restless and angry with himself, Conner paced the length of his consulting room and back again.

Why had he ever let things go this far?

Buzzing for his first patient, he decided that he had to do something about the situation. Fast. Before it exploded in his face.

‘Dr MacNeil?’ Ann Carne stood in the doorway and Conner gave a reluctant laugh.

‘If there’s one thing I don’t need this morning, it’s an encounter with my old headmistress.’ And Flora’s aunt.

‘I don’t see why. Nothing I said ever worried you when you were young,’ Ann said crisply, closing the door behind her and making her way to the chair. ‘And I don’t suppose that’s changed just because you’ve grown up. And, anyway, it seems that no lecture is needed. You’ve made quite an impression since you returned to Glenmore, Conner.’

‘Bad, I’m sure.’

‘You know that isn’t true.’ She looked at him steadily. ‘Evidently you’re a reformed character. I’ve come to find out if you’re as good a doctor as they say you are.’

Conner sighed. ‘Is this like classroom testing?’