**The Mistake**
Lily stepped out of the lecture hall, and Philip was already hurrying toward her.
«So? Howd it go?» Philips voice was a mix of nerves and adoration.
«Brilliant!» Lily waved her grade sheet in front of him. «And you?»
«Knew youd smash it.» He grinned, then winced. «Got a bit tangled up myselfscraped a B. Fancy celebrating?»
Lily dropped her gaze, hesitating.
«Ah. Let me guessIm out of luck again?» Philip sighed.
«Sorry. Denis is probably waiting for me by now.»
«Right.» His disappointment was plain. «Well, cant compete with a future Nobel laureate, can I? At least let me walk you to the gatessince thats all Im good for.» He took her hand, steering her toward the grand staircase.
The wrought-iron steps hummed faintly underfoot. Lilys chest ached. Shed miss this placethe old medical school with its lingering scent of formaldehyde and dust, the cool, shadowy halls that stayed mercifully dim even on the hottest days.
Philip shouldered the heavy door open, and there, by the gates, stood Denistall, impatient, clutching a bouquet.
«Tell me you love him,» Philip murmured, fingers tightening around hers.
«He proposed.» She flinched as his grip turned painful.
«Ow!»
«Sorry.» He exhaled, releasing her. «Well. Cant argue with the heart, can you?»
«Lily!» Denis called.
«Phil» she started.
«Go on. Dont keep the fiancé waiting.» Bitterness laced his words.
She walked away, feeling his gaze on her back. Shed miss more than just the universityshed miss *him*. Hed always been there, steady as rain, and shed barely noticed.
«I *told* you not to come,» she snapped as she reached Denis.
«Dont be cross. I was worried.» He leaned in for a kiss, but she dodged it, glancing back. Philip was gone.
«Come on. Mums expecting us for lunchwants to discuss wedding venues.» He thrust the flowers at her. «These are for you.»
«I havent said yes yet.»
«Mum found this gorgeous hall» he plowed on, oblivious.
At graduation, Lily scanned the crowd for Philip. He never showed.
«Wheres Samuels?» she asked his mate, Mike.
«Grabbed his diploma yesterday and bolted for London. Some cousin hooked him up with a job. Lucky sod.»
Lily nearly cried. The ceremony felt hollow. She slipped away early, hurt and furious. How could he leave without a word? After all his *I love yous*?
Neither called. Pride, mostly. Two months later, she married Denis.
Seven years passed.
«Hey. Got a minute?» Lily hovered in the doorway of the gynecology clinic. «Ugh. How do you work here? That chairs a torture device.»
«Lil! Come injust finished for the day.» Olivia beamed. «How *are* you?»
They caught up until Lilys eyes flicked toward the nurse at the instrument tray.
«Rita, you can head off,» Olivia said smoothly. Once alone, she leaned in. «This isnt a social call, is it? Finally expecting?»
«I *wish*. I need advice. Denis and I its not happening. His mums convinced its me. I ran some tests, but I cant do a full work-up at my clinictoo many gossips. Help?»
«Of course. Lets see what youve got.»
Lily handed over the folder. Olivia scanned the results.
«Well?»
«Minor irregularities, but nothing alarming. Need more tests. Smollett did these? Has Denis been checked?»
«God, no. Wouldnt even *consider* it.»
«Right. Can you come tomorrow at eight? Perfect.» Olivia squeezed her hand. «Nowspill.»
«Caught him with his assistant a year ago. Wanted to divorce him, but his mum and *my* mum ganged upDont wreck a marriage over a *silly fling*.» She scoffed. «Assistant got sacked, but things never recovered. Mum says all men stray eventually, and a babyll fix everything. Like its *my* job to magically produce one.»
Next morning, Lily returned for more tests.
«Well?» She adjusted her blouse collar, heart pounding.
«See for yourself.» Olivia slid the scans across the desk, pointing. «Here. And here.»
«A tumor? But Ive been checked so many» Lilys voice shook. «Surgery?»
«Youre a doctor. You know the drill. Londons your best bet. Listen, Ive got Samuels number. Hell refer you to a specialist. Let me call»
«*No.* Not yet. Ill do it.»
«Your call.» Olivia scribbled the number. «But dont wait. Lil Im so sorry.»
Lily wandered the city, numb. Thirty years old. Dreams of children. Now chemo, scalpels, sterility. *Why me?*
She booked leave, citing «family reasons.» Packed light. Denis wouldnt notice anywaytoo buried in spreadsheets.
She left at dawn, a note on the table. London swallowed her in noise and haste. From the station, she called Philip. He answered instantly.
«Hi!» She forced cheer.
Silence. She checked the screenstill connected.
«Phil? You there?»
«Lily?» His voice was rough with disbelief. «Seven years Christ. Whats wrong?»
«Im in London. Can we meet?»
An hour later, she peeked into his office.
«May I?»
«Lily!» He stood, taller now, sharper in his white coat. *Handsome.* How had she missed that?
He offered tea, but she cut to the chase, sliding her file across the desk.
Philip studied it, firing off questions. She marveled at her own calm, though her hands trembled.
«Where are you staying?» he finally asked.
«Nowhere. Came straight here.»
«Right. Lets get you settled. Rest. Ill consult colleagues and update you.»
«Philjust tell me. Its surgery, isnt it?»
«Too soon to say.»
Three days of tests, IVs, evasive answers. Then, the verdict:
«Its not a tumor. Inflammation. Olivia misread the scans. Weve treated it. Youre *fine.*»
Lily burst into tears.
«Shouldnt you be *happy*?» He offered a handkerchief.
«I am!» She blew her nose loudly. «Call Denis. Hell be relieved.»
She froze. «He doesnt know Im here.»
Philips eyes flickered with somethinghope? «Need a job? Weve an opening in Internal Medicine.»
«Actually yes.»
Back home, Lily quit her clinic. Her mother-in-law pounced the moment she walked in.
«Done gallivanting? Weve been *worried sick*»
«I *told* Denis I was leaving.» Lily cut her off. «And for the record, I *can* have children. Your sons the one who needs testing. But you knew that, didnt you?»
The woman spluttered, then fled.
Lily filed for divorce. No kids, no fuss.
Philip kept his worda job, a fresh start. And one day, over coffee:
«Marry me. Or am I still hopeless?»
«I made a mistake. Let me fix it.» A year later, they wed. Soon after, their son arrived.
Mistakes happenin life, in medicine. But as they say: *If at first you dont succeed*
