Right, at fortyfour Ill have to turn my whole life upside down, Poppy thought as she shoved her belongings into a suitcase. Ill tell James when Ive settled somewhere new. Good thing Mums still around, though its a shame dads gone; he passed away early. He was a dentist, and I followed in his footsteps.
Poppys marriage had ended without any drama. Arthur had been primed for the split; shed warned him repeatedly:
Give up your gambling, or Im out. Im tired of keeping you afloat.
He promised to quit, but couldnt manage it on his own. After twentytwo years together ten of which hed been a fulltime gambler his debts were mounting, and Poppy had been covering the first instalments.
Darling, please dont leave me, her motherinlaw had pleaded. Maybe one day hell kick the habit. Im fed up giving him money. I cant even save for a rainy day.
Im fed up too, and Ive got no strength left, Poppy told her, Ive filed for divorce and wanted you to know, so it wont catch you off guard later.
Sweetheart, where will you go? Rent a flat? Arthurs flat is his, and he wont leave it.
Why rent? Im moving to another town I wont say where, because Arthur could still bother me there. Ive quit my job; dentists are needed everywhere, so I wont starve. I always dreamed of opening my own practice, but where do I get the cash when my husband loses it all?
Poppy fled to her mothers house in the big, familiar city of Manchester. After finishing dental school shed planned to return straight home, but marrying Arthur kept her rooted; hed refused to move, especially since he already owned a twobedroom flat inherited from his grandmother, whod moved in with his parents.
Hi, Mum, Poppy beamed, hugging the retired nurse whod just left the NHS. Im here for good, just like I promised.
Good on you, love, her mother replied, eyes shining. Youre still young, lifes ahead of you. James will get you, hes an adult now, studying at university.
The next morning Poppy asked, Mum, is Mr. Roman still working, or has he retired?
Hes still running his private practice, though hes more manager than dentist now. Ive spoken to him; hell take you on. I mentioned you were moving here for good.
Brilliant, Mum. Dads old mate always tried to help us. I met him once on a holiday and he said I could always count on him. Ill pay him a visit today.
Two years into her new job as a dentist, Poppy had settled into her clinic, built a patient list, and even James dropped by for the holidays. Hed grown up, never really joined his fathers trade.
One afternoon, after freeing a patient, Poppy turned to the dental nurse, Kira:
Call the next one, please.
Come in, love, Kira called from the waiting room.
Poppy glanced at a middleaged man entering for the first time a new patient, she noted.
Did he book by accident, or did someone recommend me? she wondered, gesturing to the chair.
He settled into the dental chair, his face calm and unreadable.
Open your mouth, Poppy said, examining. Upper right third molar decay, needs extraction.
Go ahead, pull it, the man replied crisply.
Kira, fetch a local anaesthetic, Poppy instructed, then to the man, Ill give you a jab, you wont feel a thing.
No needle, the man snapped.
What do you mean no needle? Poppy asked, baffled.
Just do it without a jab.
Poppy thought, Either hes a robot or a masochist who enjoys pain. Well, carry on. She switched on the drill.
He didnt flinch as she whirred the drill. After packing the tooth, she asked gently, Was it painful?
No, he answered, still as if hed just had a cup of tea.
Come back the day after tomorrow for a filling, he said, rising as Kira watched him with a curious glance.
What a chap, Kira muttered as the door shut. So cool, so braveno needle.
Poppy replied, I think hes just pretending to be tough. If youre scared, just admit it its only painful, no need for a show.
Kira leaned in, smiling. You know, Poppy, I think hes smitten with you. He looks at you not as a dentist, but as a woman. Maybe hes acting hard to impress you.
Wow, Kira, youve got a wild imagination, Poppy laughed.
Nothing like that. You were too busy to notice, but I saw it. Ive got a feeling hell ask you out soon.
Alright, Kira whats his name?
Proctor. He doesnt stand a chance, though.
Whys that? Kira asked, slightly disappointed.
Because I fancy a sensitive, honest bloke, not a Terminator, Poppy replied.
On the appointed day, Proctor arrived on time at the end of the workday. Kira greeted him like an old friend.
Come in, Proctor Anton.
Poppy said a brisk, Good afternoon, have a seat. Well fit a filling today.
The extraction took ages, but Proctor endured stoically.
Was it painful? Poppy asked again.
No, he answered, short as ever.
Im guessing youre fibbing, she muttered, prepping the composite.
When the filling was finished, Proctor stood, looked straight into Poppys eyes and said, Thanks I think Im the last patient for today. I can drive you home if you like.
No, thank you, Ill get home myself. Can I book another appointment?
Sure, when?
Any slot on Saturday?
Kira flipped through the diary. Theres a nineoclock opening, everything else is booked.
Nine works for me, see you then, Proctor replied.
Saturday mornings were Poppys favourite the buses were empty, no rush hour chaos. She arrived at the clinic, changed into her white coat, poured a coffee, and settled by the window.
She sipped her brew while watching Proctor pacing outside, looking nervous. He shuffled, sat on a bench, stood again a far cry from the impassive man in the chair.
Whats up with him? He seems unsure today, Poppy mused.
She opened the window. Proctor, you can come in!
Its not nine yet, he protested.
Does it matter? Were both here, she grinned, closing the window.
He entered, blushing. Im not quite ready yet, he admitted.
Ready for what? The drill? she teased.
Its just Im scared, he confessed. I actually dread dentists, so I always brace myself before appointments.
I didnt get that, Poppy said. Why reject the injection then?
Honestly, Im more terrified of needles than cavities, he admitted.
Ah, that explains it, she said seriously. Most people are nervous about needles. Ill be gentle, youll barely feel anything.
Proctor sat pale, and after the quick, painless injection, he smiled warmly. The whole procedure wrapped up swiftly and smoothly.
The following Monday, Proctor strolled past the clinic holding a big bouquet of flowers, checking his watch. Colleagues gave him puzzled looks, wondering who the morning admirer was.
Poppy approached, spotting the flowers. Morning, love. Looks like the injection wasnt so scary after all. Im well, thanks. Care to join me for dinner tonight, if youre free?
Sounds brilliant! Proctor replied, flashing a perfect smile.
Great, Ive got your number, Ill call you. Im off now and cant wait for the evening.
The date went splendidly, and Poppy thought Kira had been right Proctor was indeed a charming, tenderhearted man, not a coldblooded robot.
