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tonight?”
    “ Probably just staying in with my sister and her fiancé. Chelsea is a great cook like our Mum, which is just as well because I’m not so good at it.”
    “ Would you be interested in having dinner with me? I know this great restaurant you should try.”
    “ I’m flattered, Martin, but I don’t think we should socialise if we work together.” Charlotte was grateful she could keep her eyes averted and on the task at hand. Turning someone down had always been difficult for her. For some reason she found his flirtation a little disconcerting.
    “ If I’d known that, I wouldn’t have hired you.”
    She frowned before answering. “Then you probably wouldn’t have seen me again to ask anyway.”
    “ You could be right. Can’t blame a guy for trying. You have a unique beauty.”
    “ Thanks, Martin,” she mumbled. “I’m not so good with compliments.” She blushed.
    “ Oh, a coy side. How delightful.” She met his eyes and his attraction was obvious in his expression. Her blushing intensified and her cheeks burned as though she’d been standing too close to a fire. She also hoped his flirting wouldn’t continue.
    “ Anyway, Martin,” she said trying to regain some composure. “What do you like to do?”
    “ I’m quite predictable I’m afraid. I like to swing the golf clubs.”
    “ I’ve never tried golf before. There is exercise involved and I’m afraid I’m allergic.”
    He laughed. “You wouldn’t know it to look at you.”
    She blushed again, feeling more than a little uncomfortable from the attention he was paying her. They continued in silence for the remainder of the operation and while Martin prepared to wake their patient, Charlotte cleaned up.
    Her day was filled with all sorts of patients big and small, from mice to St Bernard’s. She wasn’t undertaking anything overly difficult at this stage but she knew eventually Martin would provide her with a more challenging role.
    Thinking of Martin, she had to admit she was a little surprised at his attention and hoped she hadn’t offended him by refusing his offer of dinner. Although he appeared kind and a little fun, she was absolutely not interested in him in that way. Hopefully the message got through and their working relationship could still become a strong one and be unaffected by the rejection.
    When she arrived home that evening, she found the house empty. A note from Chelsea told her they’d set off to the movies and some leftovers from last night were in the fridge for reheating. Oh, her considerate sister, what would she do without her? She heated her dinner and parked herself in front of the television while she ate without actually concentrating, merely staring.
    More familiar with a full house, she found the quiet somewhat lonesome and she wished yet again for someone to share the silence with. It was pleasant living with Chelsea and Lucas but she constantly felt like the fifth wheel. Growing up with her parents, sister and brother, plus her grandparents, meant generally there was someone around. Feeling discontented, she thought about her family, hoping to lift her despondency.
    Her grandmother had passed away some years before and she was deeply missed. Her Pa, a retired psychiatrist, with a fuzzy grey beard and hair, was always on hand for a shoulder and advice.
    Her mother, Sarah, was a strawberry blond haired version of Chelsea and was always up for a chat or to lend moral support.
    Her father, Bradley, was the local doctor where they lived. A tall, gentle and empathetic man with dark hair and the same chocolate coloured eyes as hers, he encompassed all that was good and true in the world to Charlotte. Her brother, Hayden, eight years her junior at sixteen, was a young version of their father and was thoughtful and sensitive. Charlotte held high hopes for her little brother and believed he would pursue the same occupation as their father. She thought he too had the potential to become a wonderful