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’Exactly what I thought,’ said Kate ’What a good idea William: he can be a doctor’

’Pretty safe,’ said Andrew ’Don’t know many doctors who can count past two’

’Except when they send their bills,’ said Williahed ’Will you have another drink, Kate?’

’No thank you, Andrew It’s high tier, only Tony Simmons and William win be left, and they can both count past two so ould all have to talk banking the rest of the night’

’Agreed,’ said William ’rhank you for a lovely party, Andrew By the way, I ise for Matthew - s behaviour’

’Why?’said Doctor MacKenzie

’Oh, come on, Andrew Not only was he drunk but there wasn’t a woht well do the same if I were in his predicament,’ said Andrew MacKenzie

’What makes you say that?’ said William ’You cant approve of his habits just because he’s single!

’No, I don!t, but I try to understand theht be a little irresponsible faced with the same problem’

’What do you mean?’asked Kate

UY God,’ said Doctor MacKenzie ’He!s your closest friend, and he hasn’t told you?’

’Told us what?’ they said together

Dr MacKenzie stared at them both, a look of disbelief on his face

’Come into my study’

William and Kate followed the doctor into a small room, lined almost wall - to - ith medical books, interspersed only with occasional, soraphs of student days at Cornell

’Please have a seat, Kate,’ he said ’Williay for what I aravely ill, dying, in fact~ of Hodgkin’s disease He has known about his condition for over a year!

William fell back in his chair, for a kin’s disease?’

’An alement of the lymph nodes,’ said the doctor rather formally