Open Writing

After lunch, once Alice and Vernon had left and Tracey had taken the girls to play with Luke, Ingrid and Beth cleared the dishes and poured themselves a quiet cup of tea. Without preamble, Beth said, "I don't know what to do, Ingrid. I think I'm falling in love."

"Beth!" Ingrid cupped her hand to her mouth in wonder. "That's such good news!"

Beth pursed her pretty pink lips. "Is it? Look at me, Ingrid. I'm so out of shape. Who would want to go out with me?"

Ingrid frowned. "I thought you said …"

Beth sighed. "It's me who's got the crush, not him. I don't even know if he's available. He's just so damn nice."

Who is he?"

beth blushed. "It's Brian Davies, the doctor."

Ingrid looked at her keenly, uncertain of how to react. Dr Davies wasn't exactly the town's Casanova. From what she knew of him, he was in his mid-forties with greying hair. She also had a sense that he was married, but she wasn't sure. She said, playing for time, "What about Barney? Is it over for good?"

"Huh!" Beth retorted. There was an angry scowl on her face. "It has to be over, Ingrid. You know that as well as I do. He's living with that black woman and her baby as if he's some kind of tribal king!"

"Have you handed him the divorce papers yet?" This was itself a thorny issue, but it couldn't be avoided in the circumstances.

At this, Beth's shoulders straightened. She said firmly, "You won't believe it, but I finally got around to that this week. He said he'll think about it, but I know he'll sign. I've got good enough grounds and he knows it." After several moments, she went on in an unsteady voice. "I'd like to marry again, Ingrid. Amy deserves a proper father."

Letting her gaze wander out of the window, Ingrid felt a lump rise in her throat. She knew how her friend felt. Warren had only been gone a short time, but his absence had affected the girls. No matter what one did to cover the gap, it was always there. What had Olivia called it? Unsupported? She was right. Ingrid could understand Beth's need for a man in her life, but Dr Davies? Why him?

As if reading her thoughts, Beth explained, "It started when I got earache about a month ago. I usually see Dr Pienaar, but he was away. The receptionist said I could choose between Dr Davies and Dr Mohammed. I chose Dr Davies."

That made sense. Dr Mohammed was the Indian doctor who had replaced the Steeles' family practitioner. Beth would never be comfortable with him. Tracey had gone to him and said he was fantastic, but she was of a different generation. For many of those who had grown up during the era of apartheid, adapting to a multi-racial society was a challenge.

Beth continued, "He sat me down and asked about my medical history. Of course, I had to tell him about Barney cheating on me. He was ..." She faltered, choosing her words carefully. "He was so understanding, Ingrid. I felt safe talking to him. Do you know what I mean?"

"Yes, of course I do." Ingrid put her teacup down gently. "But Beth, he's meant to be understanding. He's a doctor."

"No, no," protested Beth. "It wasn't like that. Dr Pienaar is understanding too, but in a professional sort of way. Brian … well, Brian sort of reached out to me. I can't explain."

Unbidden, Ingrid's imagination offered up a picture of the stocky doctor putting his arms around Beth in his consulting room. It made her feel slightly queasy. Surely he ought not to do that? Saying nothing, she set down her teacup and waited for her friend to continue.

Beth smiled coyly. "I had to go back three days later for him to check my ear again. He … well, he actually complimented me on my hair." Suddenly, the sound of a baby's wail broke the silence, making them both jump. Beth laughed nervously. "Oh my, I hope they don't come now!" She patted her flaxen curls self-consciously, talking quickly. "You remember the day I told you I cut it myself? It needed a trim. I couldn't afford the hairdresser, so I did a sort of home job. You remember?"

Ingrid did. Beth was lucky that her hair wasn't like her own because she certainly couldn't have got away with a home job. Somehow, her friend's bouncy curls had taken to the cut well. The style accentuated her blue eyes, and Ingrid could imagine the doctor finding them pretty.

Luke's wails grew louder, and with the pounding of rubber-soled shoes, Debbie and Amy hurtled in. They declared that it had stopped drizzling and was time for them to ride. From the way Beth stood up, smoothing her skirt over her thighs, it was clear that she was still savouring the memory of Dr Davie's compliment.

Ingrid couldn't help feeling slightly envious of her friend with her new romantic interest. She felt ashamed - guilty, even - as she pictured herself with a new hairstyle, since it wasn't the time to be letting her mind wander. But … oh, how nice it would be to indulge herself with feminine fancies for a change!

**

To read earlier chapters of Leanne's engaging novel please click on
http://www.openwriting.com/archives/roses_arent_everything/