John really was a giving and supportive partner. Before they started dancing, she'd thrown a quick look around the pub, and Rhys didn't seem to be among their audience. She realised, with surprise, that if she could, she'd have asked him not to be there. She hadn't performed in years, and she was endlessly nervous. In a way, this thought was a good sign: she never could have been that open with him before their divorce. These days, she wanted to build their relationship on her terms - and at the same time she'd love to impress him. She doubted this salsa would. To make it easier for themselves, they'd used Diego Luna and Romola Galai's dance from Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights as the template - minus hip grinding, mutual chest stroking, and kissing, obviously. She made three mistakes, but kept reminding herself it was just an amateur dance in a local pub. She always had trouble accepting if her performance - in any area of her life - was anything but perfect. The crowd seemed to have enjoyed their dance, though - and they had to bow again and again, rewarded with more and more applause.

John stepped back to the table where Nana and Clem were clapping enthusiastically, while Viola was snatched by Mrs. Small and Mrs. Barnett who kept complimenting her and grabbing her hands in excitement. Viola felt the tense knot slowly release in her stomach.

Half an hour later all tickets to the Dance were sold, and Viola suggested to Bjornsson that she should leave since all she was doing now was apologising and disappointing those still wishing to purchase one. After dropping the money and the paperwork at the Hall, Viola went back to the Market.

She spent two hours wandering about, chatting with acquaintances, receiving more compliments on her dancing, and shopping for books at the book fair. It was traditionally held in Fleckney Woulds Town Hall. Viola read little, mostly just medical journals, but these days she found herself with more free time on her hands. She ran into Fiona and Will Holyoake at the fair, and bought Clem's latest mystery novel, a few children's books for the little Holyoakes - and a romance novel by Olivia Dane, an author she wasn't familiar with.

"If you haven't read any, try this one," Fiona said, handing Viola a book titled The Battle for Her Heart. "It's the funniest of them all. The male protagonist is this fake raja, and the main character–" She stopped because Will leaned to her and kissed her cheek. "Ah, it's him telling me that I'm spoiling it for you," Fiona said to Viola with a giggle. "There's nothing to spoil there, Will," she said and kissed him back, standing up on her tiptoes. "It's a harlequin romance."

"It's good, though," Will said to Viola.

Out of all Holyoake men, she found Will the most attractive - and unlike all others, he somehow managed to fluster her with just one look. Men generally didn't intimidate her, she'd built a successful career in a male-dominated field. There was just some sort of intensity hiding under his calm facade that she found most fascinating.

Viola gave him a soft smile. She appreciated that he didn't say 'it's good for a chicklit,' but she knew it about the Lower Woulds' Holyoakes - John, Will, Di, and Oliver - they were literature fanatics.

Will slowly walked away from them, leaning on his cane.

"Or this one," Fiona continued her chatting, lifting another Dane from the stand, her eyes running the colourful covers. "This one is one of my favourites. It's very– educational," she said with a giggle.

Viola looked down at the book titled Lead Me Astray.

"Is it about an animal shelter?" she deadpanned.

Fiona stared at her - and then burst into loud jolly laughter. She had an angular face that reminded Viola of some sort of elves or fairies from a half-forgotten childhood book. 'Otherworldly' was the word that came to mind at the view of Fiona Holyoake's giant slanted eyes, turn-up nose, and her copper hair that streamed down below her waist.

"Ah, I see. 'A-stray.'" When she laughed, Fiona Holyoake scrunched her nose in a charming gesture. "Oh my, you are funny! No, it's about this naive girl, who starts an affair with an experienced man as part of a bet."

"Ah, that's why 'educational,'" Viola said. "I'm afraid it's too late for me," she said, giving Fiona a cheeky glance.

"You're really not what one expects judging by your exterior, you know?" Fiona announced, and then blushed. "Sorry, I blabber. And I can be rather blunt."

"It's wonderful," Viola answered and picked up another book. She pretended to read the back cover to give Fiona a moment to recover. "I much prefer people to be blunt and tell me I'm not the Ice Queen they thought I was."

"But you aren't! You're funny! And a bit–" Fiona made a cute huffing noise. "What's the word I'm looking for?"

"I believe Clem used the word 'naughty,'" Viola said and glanced at the redhead.

"Exactly!" Fiona said and took a small step closer to Viola. "It's so nice to talk to you! I feel like we have a lot in common, but I also don't want to– presume, you know? But I see Clem so rarely, and I have friends in the village, but also– I don't have any girlfriends to talk to. And you're also a Holyoake wife, as George calls us. Well, you're a former Holyoake wife, but it still counts, right?"

Viola couldn't help but laugh at the woman's earnest but somewhat convoluted speech.

"Yes, I think I know what you mean," she said. "And if you want to have an 'educational' chat," Viola drew out pointedly, "then perhaps you'd like to have tea some time and share our 'lessons.'"

Fiona snorted and answered readily, "I'd love to, but I was also going to ask if you'd take me as your patient. That would be alright, wouldn't it? If we also have tea and chat about the Holyoakes? That wouldn't be some sort of a confidentiality breach, or something?"

"It's a very small county, and I'm the only female doctor here, so I think it is to be expected," Viola said. "Plus you aren't asking for a medical advice on your sex life," she added with a laugh. "You just want to gossip about the Holyoake men."

"Oh god, I'm dying to ask about so many things!" Fiona said and waved her hands in the air. Her fingers seemed to always be moving. She put the book she was holding back and picked up a bookmark, twirling a tassel hanging on it. "I also work from home, you see, so sometimes I don't see anyone but Will for days, and it can't possibly be good for one's sanity, I think. At least he Skype's with his squaddies, and he's training the fire brigade as well. Oh, I think I'm being summoned," she said.

Viola saw Will stand at the end of the aisle. He wasn't 'summoning' Fiona in any way, neither by waving, nor even looking at them, but once Fiona said her goodbyes and rushed to him, he turned and faced her. Viola suddenly remembered how Rhys' parents had the same: the sort of a connection that didn't require talking or even catching each other's eyes. A sudden shadow ran over her mood. Whatever Fiona said, Viola wasn't a 'Holyoake wife' anymore - and it felt strange and rather painful to realise she'd never become one, not at the degree Clem and Fiona had. She picked up her purchases and headed to her car.

***

By the time she entered her flat, her mood had improved again. She had two hours before Rhys was going to pick her up, and she decided to take a long relaxing shower. She'd rather have a bath, but she'd been deprived of the luxury since she'd moved to Fleckney. Viola loved baths, sometimes she felt taking a long, hot bath, with bubbles and oils was the only way to make her body feel warm and at ease.

She let herself stand under the scorching running water until she felt tension leave her shoulders. When Rhys had told her where they were going, she'd checked the Italian restaurant's dress code, and it seemed rather casual. After long consideration, she'd chosen her olive coloured midi wrap dress to be her outfit for their first date. It was elegant and emphasised her figure beautifully - but it was also formal enough to set certain boundaries. She decided against her favourite red Manolo Mary Jane's that she usually wore with it. Unless Rhys' tastes changed completely, a pair of red heels would be too 'exciting.' Viola was determined to keep their first date as chaste as possible.

She was putting on mascara in her lingerie when her phone rang.

"Viola, it's Sam," she heard younger Holyoake's panicked voice. "I didn't– I didn't know who else to call. It's Semra! She's– I think I need to call her an ambulance!"

Viola quickly dropped the mascara tube, got up, and rushed to her wardrobe.

"Tell me what's going on," she said firmly, pulling out a pair of jeans and a jumper.

***

She walked into the waiting room of the Abernathy General A&E, and Sam jumped to his feet from a chair he was slouching on.

"How is she?" Viola asked, and he stepped to her.

She saw long bleeding scratches across his left cheek.

"She's stable. They say it doesn't look like she was actually trying to–" His voice broke, and he pushed his hand into his hair and jerked a fistful of his curls. "They think it's an accidental overdose. They pumped her stomach. She's sleeping right now."

"Where are Lily and Pat?" Viola asked.

"I dropped them off at the next door neighbour, but I called Rhys. He's going to pick them up and bring them to Nana," Sam said.

"Sam, they're going to call the police," Viola said. "That's the protocol. And your face's scratched."

"That's from the ambulance," he said. "The medics saw what happened."

"Good," Viola said. "You need to have your face looked at."

He nodded, and Viola hesitated - and then pulled him into a tight hug. She normally had trouble initiating physical contact, but she felt him press into her and sob, and she knew it had been the right choice.

"What am I doing wrong, Vi?" he rasped out, and Viola rubbed his back between his shoulder blades.

"It's alright, Sam," she said quietly. "She's OK now, and you need to pull yourself together. You have your children to take care of."

She felt him nod, and another shudder ran through his body.

"I told Rhys not to do it– told him–" he muttered. "He gave her a job, and that's how she got the money. And then he sent her on the project– out of the county. And–"

She felt Sam jerk, and he released her. Viola looked over her shoulder, and saw Rhys enter through the sliding doors. He was dressed in a white button-up, a black jacket and trousers, and black Oxford shoes. For a second Viola wondered why he'd be so uncharacteristically overdressed - and then she remembered that their evening was supposed to have gone quite differently.

She knew there would be trouble as soon as Rhys approached them. His face was dark, and she saw the stubborn frown.

"What's going on, Sam?" he barked.

It's shocking how much judgement and blaming the man can fit into one short question.

Sam snarled. "Why don't you ask my wife yourself? When she wakes up, now that they washed the downers out of her stomach? The downers she paid for with your money!"

Rhys immediately bared his teeth, and moved towards Sam, raising his shoulders and his fisted right hand threateningly.

"What the–" Rhys cut his eyes at Viola and swallowed the swearing. "Don't be daft! I have nothing to do with your wife's habit!"

"Of course not!" Sam exclaimed, his voice venomous. "It's never anything to do with you. You barge in, because you fucking know better what everyone needs to do. I told you not to give her the job! I told you!" Sam was shouting now, and moving into Rhys as well. "And I told you she can't leave the village. She can't find a pusher here, not that easily! But did you fucking listen? No! You never listen, because you're Rhys fucking Holyoake!"

Rhys took another step towards his brother, as if growing even bigger - and Same raised his left hand for a punch. Viola lunged ahead, pressing her hands into Rhys' upper arms - and gave him a strong push back.

"Stop it!" she hissed into his face - and he blinked and looked down at her. "Back off!" she gritted through her teeth. "His wife is in the hospital. It's his family, and you don't get a say. Back. Off."

Rhys exhaled, she saw his shoulders rise and drop - and then he met her eyes and nodded.

"If you want to be useful, go to Nana's and make sure Pat and Lily are OK," Viola said firmly. "Spend time with them, reassure them that their mother is alright. Once Semra is better, you two can have a talk. But right now, the four of them are the priority."

His lips twisted, as if his usual growl was coming - but then she saw his throat bob.

"Let me know if you need anything," he said in a low voice, and glanced at his brother. "Sam? Let me know, would you?"

Sam turned around and walked away from them. Viola took her hands off Rhys' arms and stepped back from him.

"Vi–" He looked her in the face, and for a second a pained grimace ran his features. "I didn't know–"

"We'll talk later," she said. "I'll stay with Sam if he needs me," she said, "and I'll come to Nana's afterwards, alright?"

"OK," he said, and it seemed he was going to add something else, but then he nodded again and left.