The Surgeon’s Best Friend Dilemma - Chapter 5

As Natasha went to make up the spare bed, Evan took the opportunity to make them both a cuppa. He had it waiting for her when she came back into the living room.

‘Sit down and have a cup of tea before bed. I don’t think you’ve stopped all day.’ He was grateful for the offer of dinner and sleep after a day like today. Evan counted himself lucky he had Natasha in his life looking out for him and wanted to show his appreciation in some small way at least.

She’d been there for him when no one else had over these past months. Losing the baby had all but destroyed him, and rather than bringing him and his ex together, it had heralded the end of their relationship. He understood that carrying their child for six months only to lose it was devastating for her, and Evan had tried to be supportive. However, she couldn’t seem to understand his grief over the loss, or listen to how he felt. A common thread in his life when he’d grown up as the youngest of six children. Lynne had wanted him to ‘man up’ and move on. As though this baby hadn’t been part of his life already, and thoughts of losing their family hadn’t devastated him too.

Natasha had been the one he’d talked to. Whose shoulder he’d cried on. In hindsight, perhaps that had been part of the problem. It should have been his ex he’d confided in, not Natasha, but they’d always had a close bond. He’d been the one she’d turned to when her own mother and boyfriend had betrayed her. Sometimes it seemed as though they could only rely on each other.

‘Thanks.’ She flopped on to the sofa and took a swig of tea, as Eddy took up residence on the floor at her feet.

‘You deserve to have someone waiting at home to make you a cup of tea at the end of every day.’

‘So do you. I guess neither of us is ready to open up to anyone again though, are we?’

‘I suppose not. How are things between you and your mum?’ It had been a difficult, and awkward, situation for Natasha. He could only imagine how heartbreaking it was to walk in on her boyfriend cheating on her with her own mother. The tears he’d held her through were probably only a fraction of those she’d cried.

However, he also knew what it was not to have a family, and worried that she’d broken off all contact with the only family she had. That choice had been taken from him, and he never wanted Natasha to feel the same loneliness and grief that still haunted him, knowing he was essentially alone in the world. One day she might decide to forgive her mother and it could be too late. Something she’d never get over, and he wished he could prevent her from that regret.

‘Perhaps in time I’ll forgive her, but I don’t think I’ll ever trust her again or have a proper relationship with her like the one we had.’

As if sensing her pain, Eddy nudged against her hand and elicited a wobbly smile from Natasha.

Evan cleared his throat and took a sip of tea, preparing to say something she mightn’t like, but needed to hear. ‘Natasha…I’ve always thought your mother was jealous of you.’

She laughed. ‘Me? Why?’

‘On the occasions I met her, she always seemed to be trying to cause a drama. Wanting to be the centre of attention. She flirted with me too.’

Natasha’s eyes went wide at that admission. It was true, Mrs Harrison hadn’t been backward about being forward with him, though he hadn’t been interested at all. At the time it had made him uncomfortable, and he’d had a feeling she’d only been paying him attention because he was close to Natasha. That she wanted what her daughter had. Even though she could never be the beautiful, kind-hearted woman he was so fond of.

‘Why? I mean, I know you’re attractive…but why would she do that? Or think that you were interested?’

Evan shrugged. He’d asked himself the same question. ‘I just get the sense she’s trying to recapture her youth. You said yourself she was a bit of a wild child, and doesn’t even know who your father was. I think she’s jealous of her young, beautiful, successful daughter.’

Natasha didn’t even seem that surprised. More…accepting. It was painful for Evan to see when he cared so much for her. She deserved better. From everyone.

‘I thought it was all in my head,’ she said with a sigh. ‘Though I never expected her to steal my own boyfriend.’

Natasha threw back the rest of her tea as if it was neat vodka she was downing to numb the pain. He wished he could help her in some way. Yes, her mother had behaved appallingly, but to someone who had no parents to fall out with, he wondered if it was better to have a strained relationship with her mother than none at all. Perhaps it would help her move on if he could act as mediator between them, so she didn’t lose the only family she had.

Whatever happened, Evan only wished her happiness, and found himself wanting to be the one who could give it to her.