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But she knew now.
She knew exactly what true love felt like.
It was what she felt for Joel.
The asthma clinic was busier than ever, and Lucy saw a steady stream of patients right through until lunchtime.
‘I still can’t believe this is asthma.’ Mrs Lambert was back again, having had a bad attack the week before. ‘It’s just a chest infection.’
‘Has Dr Richard given you antibiotics?’
‘Two lots.’ Mrs Lambert sniffed. ‘The first lot didn’t work. Useless.’
Lucy gave a sympathetic smile. ‘And the second lot?’
‘Well, I’m feeling a lot better, but he insisted that I take steroids as well and increase my puffer.’ She looked appalled. ‘What do you think?’
Touched that Mrs Lambert trusted her so much, Lucy sat down next to her and took her hand.
‘The steroids are to settle the inflammation in your lungs,’ she explained. ‘It will help ease your breathing until the infection settles. Once your chest is better we need to look at you again and maybe decrease the amount you’re taking your puffers. But for now, keep doing what Dr Richard suggested.’
‘I tried to walk to the shops yesterday,’ Mrs Lambert told her. ‘I nearly breathed my last.’
‘The cold air will irritate your lungs. If you need to go out, wear a scarf over your mouth, and when you’re indoors keep the heating on so that you’re not breathing in cold air.’
Mrs Lambert frowned. ‘What? Even at night?’
Lucy smiled. ‘Yes, at night. It doesn’t have to be high, just enough to take the chill away from the air that you’re breathing in.’
‘I suppose you’re going to tell me not to go out next!’
Lucy shook her head. ‘I think while you have a chest infection and it’s this cold you’d be better off indoors if you can, but generally it’s good to exercise when you have asthma. Exercising regularly can actually help your asthma improve. Walking is great. So is swimming.’
‘Swimming!’ Mrs Lambert looked at her in horror and then started to laugh. ‘Have you any idea what I look like in a swimming costume?’
Lucy laughed too and gave her an impulsive hug. ‘I bet you look great, Annie.’
They talked some more, and once Lucy was satisfied that Annie understood why she needed to increase her puffers she walked with her back to the waiting room.
‘Results for you, Lucy.’ Ros waved a handful of forms and Lucy took them and wandered back to the treatment room, reading them carefully.
Halfway down the pile was Penny’s chlamydia result, and she noticed that it was positive.
Bother.
Worried that Penny might have been exposed to other infections that she hadn’t been able to screen for, Lucy made a mental note to have one more attempt at trying to persuade her to attend the sexual health clinic.
Knowing that she needed to discuss the case with Joel, she braced herself and tapped on his door.
She hadn’t seen him since Tina had disturbed them, and she was trying not to feel disappointed that he hadn’t tapped on her door. She’d known the score. There was no point in moping about it.
Hearing his voice, she lifted her chin and walked in, armed with Penny’s results.
He looked up from his computer, his expression difficult to read. ‘Good morning.’
‘I—good morning—Penny tested positive for chlamydia,’ she said quickly, and he nodded.
‘All right. Well, when she calls in for the result, ask her to make an appointment to see me. I’ll give her a gram of azithromicin.’
