**Diary Entry**
Lily stepped out of the lecture hall, and Philip was waiting for her just outside.
«Well? Did you pass?» he asked, his voice a mix of worry and admiration.
«With flying colours!» She waved her grade book in front of him. «What about you?»
«Brilliant! Knew youd smash it.» Philip winced slightly. «I got a bit muddledscraped a B+. Fancy celebrating?»
Lily dropped her gaze and fidgeted.
«Ah. Let me guessIm out of luck again?» Philip sighed.
«Sorry. I think Daniels probably waiting for me already.»
«Right.» Philip didnt bother hiding his disappointment. «Cant compete with a future star scientist, can I? At least let me walk you to the gatessince thats all I get?» He took her hand and led her toward the grand staircase.
The wrought-iron steps hummed faintly underfoot. Lilys chest ached. Shed miss this placethe old medical college with its scent of formaldehyde and dusty books, the way the corridors stayed cool even in summer.
Philip shoved the heavy door open, and there, by the gates, stood Daniel, tall and impatient, clutching a bouquet.
«Tell me straightdo you love him?» Philips grip on her hand tightened.
«He proposed.» She flinched as his fingers dug into her skin.
«Ow!»
«Sorry.» He let go. «Cant help who the heart wants, I suppose.»
«Lily!» Daniel called.
«Phil»
«Go on. Dont keep your fiancé waiting,» he muttered.
She walked away, feeling his eyes on her back. It wasnt just the college shed missit was him. Always there, always overlooked.
«I told you not to come,» she snapped when she reached Daniel.
«Dont be cross. I was worried.» He leaned in for a kiss, but she dodged it, glancing back. Philip was gone.
«Shall we? Mums expecting uswants to discuss wedding venues. Oh, these are for you.» He thrust the flowers at her.
«I never said yes yet,» Lily said.
«Mums found a lovely hall» Daniel prattled on, ignoring her.
At graduation, Philip didnt show.
«Wheres Samuels?» she asked his mate Michael.
«Left yesterday. Got a job in Londonsome relative hooked him up. Lucky sod.»
Lily nearly cried. She skipped the celebrations and went straight home, furious. How could he leave without a word? After all his talk of love?
Neither called. Pride wouldnt let her. Two months later, she married Daniel.
Seven years passed.
«Hi. Got a minute?» Lily poked her head into the gynaecologists office. «Ugh. How do you work here? That chairs a torture device.»
«Lils! Come in. Just finished my shift. How are you?»
They caught up, but Lily kept glancing at the nurse by the instruments.
«Claire, you can head off,» Olivia said, catching the hint.
«So?» Olivia leaned in once they were alone. «Finally expecting?»
«I wish. Need advice. Daniel and Iits not working. His mums convinced its my fault. Ive done some tests, but I cant face the gossip at my clinic. Help?»
«Of course. Lets see.»
Lily handed over her file. Olivia studied it, brow furrowed.
«Well?»
«Minor irregularities, but nothing alarming. Well need more tests. Who examined youDr. Smith? Has Daniel been checked?»
«Ha. Wont even consider it.»
«Right. Can you come tomorrow at eight? Brilliant. God, its good to see you. Spillwhats really going on?»
«A year ago, I caught him with his assistant. Wanted a divorce, but Mum and his mother ganged uptold me not to wreck the family over a bit of fun. The assistant got sacked, but things between us? Ruined.»
«Mum says all men cheat eventuallythat I should have a baby and fix it. As if thats all on me.»
Next day, more tests.
«Well?» Lily adjusted her blouse collar.
«See for yourself.» Olivia slid the scans across. «Here. And here.» She tapped the shadows.
«A tumour? But Ive been checked so many Surgery?»
«Youre a doctor. You know the drill. Best do it in London. ListenIve got Philips number. Hell refer you to someone good.»
«Dont call him. Not yet. Ill do it.»
«Fine. But dont wait.» Olivia scribbled the number. «Lils Im so sorry.»
Lily wandered the streets, numb. She wasnt even thirty. After this, no children. The sunshine, her dreamsgone. Why her?
She told no one. Took unpaid leave, packed light. Daniel wouldnt notice anyway.
London swallowed her in noise. She called Philip from the station. He answered instantly.
«Hi!» Too chirpy.
Silence.
«Phil? You there?»
«Lily? Bloody hell. After all these years?»
«Remember when you said if I ever needed help? Well I do.»
They met at his clinic. Hed aged wellbroad-shouldered, sharp in his white coat.
«Sit. Tea? Coffee?»
«Im here as a patient.» She handed him her file.
He scanned it, asking clipped questions. Her hands shookfrom fear or his nearness, she couldnt tell.
«Where are you staying?»
«Nowhere. Came straight here.»
«Right. Lets get you a room. Rest. Ill consult colleagues and be back.»
«Philjust say it. Surgery?»
«Too soon to tell.»
Days of tests, drips, hushed voices. Finally, he summoned her.
«Its bad?»
Wordless, he pushed the scans at her.
«I cantjust tell me.»
«Youre fine.» He grinned.
«What? But the tumour»
«Was inflammation. Cleared up with antibiotics. No surgery needed.»
She burst into tears.
«Oi. Good news, and youre bawling?» He tossed her a tissue.
«Im just Thank you.»
«Dont thank me. Call Daniel. Give him the good news.»
She froze.
«He doesnt know. His mother thinks Im barren. Listenany vacancies here? For a GP?»
His eyes lit up. «Ill ask.»
Three days later, she returned home, resigned her job, and packed her bags. Daniels mother screeched about ungrateful wives. Lily cut her off.
«I can have children. Your sons the one who needs checking.»
She left, divorce papers filed swiftly. No kids, no mess.
Philip kept his wordgot her the job. And this time, when he asked, she said yes.
A year later, they married. A healthy son followed.
Mistakes happenin love, in medicine. But sometimes, you get a second chance.
