They were a defence against the likes of Luke Marriott. Unbidden, the thought of Nikki’s new locum flashed before her and it was all she could do not to rip the dress she was trying on from her back. The thought of him produced something that was close to panic.

This was crazy. There was no need for her to panic. Luke Marriott obviously had problems of his own and a three-week stint as her locum was hardly going to change either of them. Her panic was inexplicable and needless.

Nikki forced herself to concentrate on the dress. It was pretty, there was no doubting that. It fell in soft folds around her slim form, catching the colour of her eyes and highlighting her brilliant hair. She should get her hair cut, she thought crossly. There was too much of it. Or maybe she should just tie it back into a severe knot. She shoved her glasses back on and opened the curtain. Charlie and the shop assistant were both waiting.

‘Oh, Nikki, it’s lovely!’ Charlie exclaimed delightedly. ‘Don’t you like it?’

‘It’s OK,’ Nikki agreed reluctantly. She fingered the fine cotton. ‘It feels good.’

‘And so it should.’ Charlotte took her by the shoulders and spun her around. ‘It really makes you look like…well, like you ought to look. Apart from those glasses.’

‘There’s nothing wrong with my glasses.’

‘Why do you wear them all the time?’ Charlotte demanded. ‘You know you only need them for reading.’

‘I’m more comfortable with them on.’

‘But you used to wear contact lenses.’

‘Well, I don’t any more,’ Nikki snapped. ‘I’ll take this off.’

‘You’ll buy it?’

‘If you think I ought to,’ Nikki said flatly.

The shop assistant had been watching the proceedings with interest. ‘It does look pretty,’ she said. ‘But have a look at it in the full-length mirror before you buy it. There’s one just around the corner here.’