Lucy appreciated Grace’s effort, and was grateful, although it wasn’t the festive season she’d secretly hoped for. “Thanks, honey. I’m sure I’ll feel better when I know about the biopsy.”

“Your doctors will all have to agree to release you before you make any firm plans for travel, Miss King.”

Lucy blushed with pleasure at the voice; its owner had slipped in behind Simon without her noticing.

“And do I have any hope at all of influencing you, Dr. Stafford?” In front of friends it was easier to be flirtatious.

“Every time!” In a fragment of a second he had lightened her mood. “I hope you’re not tiring my patient, you two. I’ve come to give her a bit of a pain in the neck, I’m afraid.”

Lucy laughed and gestured an explanation to Grace of the needle she had to have in that very spot. Her friend kissed her on the forehead and grabbed Simon conspiratorially to leave her alone with Alex. “I’ll call later and see how it went. Let me know when she’s ready to escape, Alex.”

“You just leave her with me, Grace.” He gave her a wry smile, and they were gone.

Alex closed the distance between them and sat down casually on her bed, which seemed wonderfully informal to her. “Are you feeling better at all?” He sounded fractionally hesitant, as though unsure of his reception.

“Yes, actually. It’s very good to see you.” Her tone was searching too. She knew they’d be disturbed at any second. “How’s your son? I was hoping he might come in with you, and I could meet him.”

Alex shook his head. “This is not the place for that. He’s not too keen on hospitals just now! But the plaster’s coming off on Christmas Eve. It certainly hasn’t slowed him down—he still wants to go skiing.” Alex read uncertainty in her face. “Are you dreaming sweetly again now?”

“I think so. That character with the black cape and the scythe doesn’t have such a prominent role for now.” She retreated to irony. “Simon’s given me some homework here. These books were among the ones Will ordered. I’ll tell you if I find anything interesting.” She thought this might reveal the cast of her mind.

“No need to rush, Lucy. We’ll have time soon to talk about it. I think for now we should concentrate on getting you out of here and back home.”

Someone with fewer insecurities would have heard the reassurance, but Lucy was not that cheerful soul today. An orderly arrived with a gurney, and Alex playfully took it over and waved him away. “Right now, the Three Fates are waiting to put a wire in your neck.” He bent closer to her and whispered, “And I’ve asked them to have a care for its fineness.”