page8 (2/2)

‘Then you’re free’ Even though he knew he ought to be sensible about it, he couldn’t help ht the expression on her face ‘To take pity on the new boy, that is,’ he said swiftly ‘I’ve spent the last five years working in the Midlands, so I don’t know the area at all, and I could do with soood coffee around here’

She shrugged ‘The hospital canteen’s OK’

‘They do espresso?’ he checked

‘Oh Youto give him the brush-off Then she smiled ‘I know the perfect place’

She led him to a small café not far from the hospital ‘Giovanni’s—it’s Italian?’ he asked

She nodded

‘A little faood to me’

‘Actually, it’s a chain,’ she corrected ‘But it’s a good one And I’lad there’s a branch just round the corner from the hospital They do the best coffee in London—not to anic chocolate brownies’

She ordered a frothy cappuccino and a brownie, and shook her head when he ordered a double espresso ‘That much caffeine is seriously bad for you, Theo How on earth do you sleep?’

‘I’et to Greek coffee outside home Unless you happen to know a decent Greek restaurant around here?’

She shook her head ‘I’m afraid Greek coffee is a taste I haven’t acquired It’s all the bits’ She griloopy stuff at the bottom’

He laughed ‘You’re not supposed to drink it to the last drop And the kaieous, if it’s made properly Like an espresso But I admit it’s an acquired taste, and I can’t drink it sweet, the waywith you today You’re as good a doctor as you are a dancer Intuitive and empathetic’

To his pleasure, her eyes widened slightly So she wasn’t entirely indifferent to him, then? She felt this same weird pull, the chemistry between them?

‘Thank you’ She inclined her head ‘I’et the chance to thank you for the dance at the ball’