Trust me, I’m a doctor

The powder swirls for a moment and then dissolves, absorbed into the deep red of the wine. I hold it to the light, twisting it this way and that. Satisfied there is no trace left I put it on the left hand side of the tray and carry it into the dining room.

“Dinner is served,” I announce. “Darling, you look simply fabulous.”

Harriet blushes and twirls self-consciously. “Oh, this old thing,” she protests.

“Fabulous,” I repeat firmly, passing her plate and putting the glass in her hand.

“Oh, thank you, William sweetie, this looks amazing. You shouldn’t have.”

“Nonsense, darling, you deserve this, you really do. Now then, tuck in. Tell me about your day.”

I watch her prattle on, the food sticking to her lips and teeth; her greedy swigs at the wine. I think of the months of planning that have gone into tonight, slowly, discreetly researching the different options; undetectable, not too fast-acting, but ultimately effective. Today, finally writing the prescription and sending Theresa to collect it.

I eat my own meal calmly, chewing the chicken slowly and deliberately, nodding at Harriet’s stories while I allow my mind to drift back to this afternoon: Theresa walking casually into the surgery, pressing the packet into my hand, pulling me towards her and that brief kiss; chaste but so full of promise. Watching her, imagining her body under the stiff nurse’s uniform as she’s walking out, announcing to the waiting-room, “The doctor will see you now.”

I realise Harriet has stopped talking. She frowns and holds her hand to her throat.”Oh dear, I feel a bit peculiar.”

“Oh?”

“I’ve got a pain. Oh, it hurts. Oh, William, it hurts.”

I sip from my own glass and watch as she stands, then staggers, grabbing at the back of the chair. She falls to the floor, pulling the chair with her.

I listen to her frantic choking noises, trying to remain outwardly calm in spite of the adrenaline making my heart pound and my vision blur; I imagine a white figure standing in the doorway. I shake my head to clear it but the figure remains.

“Theresa?” I gasp. “What are you...? You can’t be here.”

She smiles. “Oh, I wouldn’t miss this for the world, doctor.”

I stare down at my plate, then across at the untouched chicken on Harriet’s. I recall Theresa’s offer to buy the food for tonight.

I look up at her, open my mouth to speak, but the sudden pain in my chest silences me. I try to stand and my legs buckle under me. I look up and watch Theresa hold a hand out to Harriet, helping her to her feet. Harriet stands and smoothes her dress down. She glances down at me then turns to Theresa.

My head roars with the sound of my own blood as I watch them embrace, then kiss passionately, so passionately. Then my heart gives out and I see nothing.