The Children's Doctor's Special Proposal. Kate Hardy

teacher.’

      Her face relaxed. ‘My best friend from school’s a primary school teacher. She uses a puppet to tell stories to her class and it works well, so I borrowed her idea for the ward.’

      ‘And it’s a good one. The children seemed to enjoy it.’

      ‘Anything that makes hospital easier for them and reduces the stress on their parents means that they can spend their energy on getting well. And it helps the brothers and sisters, too.’ She spread her hands. ‘And I enjoy it. If we’ve had one of those days where everything’s gone wrong, seeing the smiles on the faces of the little ones always makes me remember that life’s good.’

      ‘So you’re a glass-half-full person?’ he asked.

      ‘Definitely.’

      ‘Then have dinner with me tonight. As colleagues—and potential friends,’ he said.

      She looked at him for a long, long moment. ‘Not a date.’

      ‘Not a date,’ he confirmed. ‘And you can choose where we go.’

      ‘All right. Thank you. Do you want to go straight after work?’

      ‘After,’ he said, ‘you’ve done your story.’

      Her smile was the sweetest reward he could have asked for. ‘I’ll come and collect you, then. See you later.’

      ‘See you later,’ he said softly.