Unknown by Unknown

as Adam. She liked his air of authority; the way he conducted himself and dealt with the waiters. He had an ease of manner that was part of his charm, and her thoughts strayed to the identity of other women with whom he had dined. Again, Judy Meyhew insinuated herself. She could imagine her being effervescent, witty and excellent company—someone, in fact, on his wavelength. She wanted to mention her, but did not know how, without seeming to be inquisitive. But at last she said boldly, 'Do Dr Bryant and Dr Meyhew come here?'
    His expression changed.
    'Yes, we all come here.'
    That told her nothing and she felt it to have been his intention.
    In that second, he put down his napkin and said smoothly, 'Will you excuse me? I promised to telephone Judy.'
    Emma didn't know why her heart sank and she felt suddenly so resentful. Couldn't he even go out to dinner without contacting her? It surely was not necessary practice-wise. And in any emergency, were she on duty, she could ring him. She tried to ignore the matter, but every second he was away seemed an hour. He was smiling when he returned and Emma felt shut out.
    'My apologies,' he said as he sat down, his attitude inscrutable.
    Emma let the conversation continue for a short while before, consumed with curiosity, she asked, 'Is Dr Meyhew on duty?'
    Adam felt a resistance to the enquiry and said rather curtly, 'No.' He studied her intently. 'Edmund is on.' He shot the question at her, 'Why?'
    Emma flushed. She felt that he must be reading her thoughts and know that she was wondering why it was necessary for him to be telephoning Judy Meyhew otherwise.
    'No reason,' she answered, betraying slight confusion.
    He changed the subject abruptly.
    Emma recalled all that Irene had said about Adam, Judy Meyhew and herself, and tensed.
    At that moment Adam smiled an acknowledgement to a couple just taking their seats at a table at the far end of the room.
    'Roy Wayne and his sister,' he explained. 'Solicitor patient of ours. . . You look solemn.'
    'I was thinking of Irene,' she replied unguardedly.
    'Ah.'
    They looked at each other and emotion flared. There was always an underlying current of dissent when her name was mentioned.
    'A truce, Emma.'
    'I haven't forgotten.'
    He dared to say, 'But you haven't relaxed this evening.' His deep voice made denial impossible.
    She let her gaze rest in his. 'Perhaps there are too many warring elements.'
    'Which,' he said boldly, 'you create, Emma.'
    He gave her name significance and she knew she liked the sound of it on his lips, but nevertheless rose to the challenge, 'Because we are at odds about Irene.'
    'Because you have no faith in my professional assessment.' It was a plain and deliberate statement of fact.
    She didn't contradict him, merely said, 'Time will provide the ultimate answer.'
    'Time,' he echoed in a low soft voice, 'answers all our questions and inevitably solves all our problems.' He held her gaze unnervingly.
    She exclaimed impetuously, 'Your life would appear to be devoid of problems.'
    'Is that a calculated assessment?' He shot the question at her.
    'Based on. . She hesitated.
    'Gossip,' he said in disgust.
    'Falling back on platitudes, a question of smoke. . . no smoke without fire.' Her voice had an edge to it.
    He looked annoyed and she retreated slightly. It struck her that he had no intention of betraying anything about his private life, or discussing those with whom he was involved. She didn't know why it seemed so important to discuss Judy Meyhew and to know the facts of their relationship.
    He changed the subject completely.
    'You would make an excellent practice nurse.' He looked at her thoughtfully.
    'On what do you base that assessment?' Her expression was questioning.
    'Instinct. And the fact that we need a practice nurse,' he added with a smile.
    She tensed. The very last thing she could imagine was working for him.
    She didn't hesitate. 'You and I would never work together.' The words were out before she