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They continued down the corridor and came across Natalie. She was seated at the nurses’ station, breastfeeding Jacob. It was a common enough sight for Calvin, and he liked to think it made them look progressive as an employer, encouraging inclusivity and equality, but he couldn’t imagine it was routine in most workplaces. Would this be the moment their new locum made a run for it?
‘This is Natalie, our night nurse.’ Calvin braced himself for weirdness, but Nelson didn’t bat an eyelid.
‘Hi, Natalie. I’m Nelson.’ He kept his eyes on her face. ‘I’m looking forward to working with you.’
‘It’s really lovely to meet you. We’re so pleased you’re here.’ Jacob made a gurgling noise. ‘And this is my son, Jacob.Apologies in advance if he wakes you in the night with his crying. He’s teething.’
Nelson smiled. ‘No worries.’
Calvin breathed a sigh of relief. Another hurdle overcome. ‘I notice Deshad was in the lounge watching the Christmas film with the others,’ he said to Natalie. ‘How did you manage to persuade him to take a break?’
‘I didn’t, Kate did. She offered to sit with Priya for the evening, so he could watch the film. She’s in there with her now.’
An odd feeling washed over him and his eyes slid to Priya’s door. ‘Kate’s the solicitor I was telling you about, who’s dealing with my uncle’s estate.’
‘Nice of her to help out.’ Nelson sounded part-impressed, part-bemused.
Calvin knew the feeling.
‘It is,’ he said, turning back. ‘Deshad is Priya’s husband and main carer. He lives here with her. It’s an unusual arrangement, I know.’
Nelson remained unfazed. Nothing rattled him, it seemed. ‘Nice they can stay together. More homes should offer that.’
Nelson was turning out to be the perfect fit. Either that, or he was a bloody good actor. Calvin hoped it wasn’t the latter.
‘Are you okay chatting to Natalie for a moment? I want to stick my head around the door and say hi. I’ll introduce you properly tomorrow, but I feel it would be better if Deshad was here when you meet Priya. He’s a bit protective of who gets involved in her care.’
‘You take your time, man.’
‘Thanks.’ Calvin left them talking and knocked quietly on Priya’s door, before easing it open.
Kate was lying on the bed next to Priya, her laptop open in front of them. She was wearing Christmas pyjamas coveredin red-nosed reindeers and her hair was loose. She looked so adorably cute that for a moment he couldn’t speak.
‘Hi,’ she said, looking up. ‘We’re watchingIt’s a Wonderful Life. It’s Priya’s favourite Christmas movie.’
‘I see you’re dressed for the part,’ he said, coming over to the bed. ‘Is it any good?’
‘Haven’t you seen it?’ She patted Priya’s hand. ‘Did you hear that, Priya? Calvin’s never seen the film. He’s missing out, isn’t he?’
Priya gave a faint nod, making the bells on her elf hat tinkle, but her gaze remained fixed on the laptop screen.
It was then that he noticed Kate’s slippers. ‘What on earth have you got on your feet?’
‘Snowmen.’ She wiggled her toes. ‘Alex got them for me when he went into town to get his hair cut. Cool, aren’t they?’
‘Aren’t they’re supposed to be warm?’
She laughed. ‘Are you trying to be funny?’
‘And failing, clearly.’ He smiled, needing a moment to gather his thoughts. She looked so pretty, with her flushed cheeks and messy hair. ‘Thanks for doing this,’ he said, coming around to her side of the bed. ‘It’s really kind of you. And it’s great to see Deshad joining in with the others for once.’
‘It’s no big deal,’ she said, offering him a bowl of chocolates. ‘I’m happy to help. How’s your evening going? Has the locum shown up yet?’
‘He’s outside, talking to Natalie.’ He accepted a chocolate. ‘His name’s Nelson. He seems like a nice guy.’
‘Well, that’s a relief,’ she said, unwrapping a chocolate. ‘Why do I sense a but coming?’
He perched on the arm of the chair next to the bed. ‘I never realised quite how unconventional this place is until I began showing him around.’
