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embarrassed about. All that matters now… is to stop your pain and that you are alright,” he whispered.
    I could have easily started crying again. His voice was calming, his words comforting. I was feeling a strong affection for this person.
    OK, I have just hit my head. That explains why I am entertaining such nonsense.
    As I started to get up, I could see that Mr Barclay was confused as to whether he should grab my arm to help or not.
    “Take it slowly,” he said with his magical voice.
    I was determined to salvage whatever dignity I had left. I started to pull myself up from the floor, but as I did so I lost my balance and without thinking I held out my hand to him for support. Mr Barclay quickly came to my assistance, grabbing my hand to stop me from falling. He placed his other arm around my lower back and brought my body close to his so as to lean on him. Even with all this pain, my body trembled from his touch.
    “Slowly,” he ordered, as he guided me to my bed.
    “Now, how do you want to do this?” he asked as we finally arrived at my bed.
    “Excuse me?” I replied, stunned. “Do what ?”
    “Would you like to sit on your bed or lie down?” he explained, amused by my assumption.
    “Oh… yes of course. I’ll sit,” I replied, mortified by my misunderstanding.
    As he helped me sit down on the bed, I could see that he still had a smirk on his face. He then took a couple of steps back from me – his smile warmed the whole room. He was so handsome. Thankfully my ridiculous thoughts were interrupted by Jules’s high-pitched voice. I could hear a second voice that I assumed must be the doctor’s.
    “Knock, knock!” Jules sang as she and a strange-looking man entered the room.
    “My apologies for taking so long. He’d started his morning walk and it took me some time to find him,” Jules said, looking over at the doctor, sounding unimpressed.
    “What seems to be the problem, my dear?” the doctor enquiry as he placed his worn black leather bag beside me and opened it.
    “It’s silly. I’m OK now and I am so sorry to have troubled you,” I replied sheepishly. I could feel the redness returning to my cheeks, signalling another round of embarrassment.
    The doctor gave Mr Barclay a puzzled look. Mr Barclay was now standing beside my desk. From where I was sitting I could now see that he was tall and had broad shoulders. He dressed well, very well. Like something you would see in a Vogue spread.
    “Dr Simons, I am guessing Catherine is feeling guilty that she has taken you away from your walk this morning,” Mr Barclay suggested as he started to walk towards me.
    “Catherine, Miss Kent and I will leave you now so Dr Simons can examine you. I’m sure everything is fine, nevertheless I would be happier knowing that the doctor has checked you over.”
    “Yes, Catherine, I agree. I will come back and check on you later on and there is no rush for that tour. You should rest and recover from whatever just happened,” Jules said as she made her way out of my room.
    Mr Barclay was speaking to Dr Simons, but I couldn’t make out what they were saying. Jules was still talking as she left.
    The examination didn’t take long, and once the doctor was filled in on my self-abuse, he looked me over and warned me that I would be sore for a few days but that there was nothing to worry about. My head had stopped bleeding and there was no need for stitches. Dr Simons gave me strict instructions to do nothing but rest for the day in case I had sustained any concussion. He seemed quite shy; his voice low and gentle. He was constantly pushing back his glasses which were obviously too big for him.
    “Thank you, I am really sorry to have cut short your walk,” I smiled sincerely.
    “It’s perfectly fine. You can make it up to me by going on a walk with me soon. The grounds really are magnificent. Anyway, it was lovely to meet you. The other teachers will be envious that we have met already,” he said with a