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neighbours, blah, blah, blah . . .’ He made a small winding motion with his hand, clearly dismissive of anyone who might have the temerity to disagree with him.
‘Take my word for it, you’ll find that keeping a bit of distance is more illuminating – helps you keep your perspective professionally.’
    Holly’s relief was palpable as Dan’s gravelly laugh interrupted them, ‘Do put her down, Henry. And how about you follow your advice about keeping a bit of distance?’ Dan
fished the end of Henry’s expensive silk tie out of Holly’s cup of coffee and grinned. ‘Not quite dipping your pen in the company ink there, Henry, but ten out of ten for effort.
Holly, all this time and you never said you took your coffee with a spoonful of smarmy lechery.’ Dan grinned cheerfully and patted Henry on the back. ‘Cheer up, Henry, surely even you
can see that the delectable Dr Graham is off limits.’
    Henry drew himself up to his full height, which would have been more impressive if Dan didn’t still tower over him, even casually slouched against the doorframe. Muttering something about
childish behaviour, Henry left the room, head held high and perfectly tailored shoulders firmly back. Without the handful of limp, stained pink silk in his hand and the seething expression on his
face, he would have looked almost impressive.
    ‘Thank you,’ Holly said simply and with feeling.
    Dan just shrugged. ‘I’d like to tell you he’s harmless, but he just does seem to think he’s God’s gift to women sometimes, smarmy git, and he really does need to
learn a bit of discretion.’ He grinned broadly. ‘Besides, anyone can see, you’re way out of his league.’
    Dan plucked Holly’s cup from her fingers and plonked it down beside them. ‘Now, come and say hello to a few friendlier faces. Oh, and Julia. You’ll need to meet her too . .
.’
    Dan steered her across to the battered old sofas that formed a U-shape at one end of the room. ‘Now this reprobate is Taffy Jones, our ever-present locum and my best
mate.’
    Dr Taffy Jones unfurled himself from his slumped position at the end of the sofa and stood up, holding out his hand for Holly to shake. He was tall and strapping and his hand enveloped
Holly’s in a firm grip. ‘So you’re the infamous Holly Graham? It’s a pleasure to meet you at last.’
    His face, already welcoming and friendly, broke into an enormous grin. His soft Welsh lilt was strangely hypnotic and Holly was sure it must have melted the inhibitions of many a local girl. She
was disgusted to find herself blushing yet again, not quite sure how to respond and feeling completely wrong-footed.
    ‘Don’t worry, Dr Graham, it’s all been good so far. Mostly, anyway. But your reputation does precede you, I’m afraid. Dan and the lovely Lizzie have been spilling the
beans on all your youthful exploits. I do hope you’ll return the favour, I could use some dirt on our golden boy here.’ Although he was standing still and, Holly couldn’t help but
notice, still holding her hand, the energy simply radiated from him. He was basically a spaniel, Holly decided, with his eager expression, slightly chaotic hair and chocolate brown eyes. She felt
her cheeks burning and panicked slightly as she realised that there were simply no words forthcoming from her addled brain.
    Luckily Dan stepped in to rescue her yet again. ‘Back in your box, Jones, and be nice to her, okay. She’s just had Henry Bruce leering all over her and I haven’t even
introduced her to Julia yet.’
    ‘Understood,’ replied Taffy seriously, finally releasing Holly’s hand from his. ‘I shall be the soul of discretion and I
certainly
won’t take this
opportunity to dish the dirt about Henry shagging young nurse Jade behind his wife’s back. And I certainly shall
not
let on, that until a few months ago, Dan and the terrifyingly
ambitious Julia Channing were quite the hot item around here.’ His face was a picture of