There was a time when being married to a doctor was every ambitious mother’s dream for her daughter. Doctors were respected in their communities and generously rewarded for their services. That’s not so true anymore. Health care costs have eroded income for many doctors and women no longer have to marry a doctor. They can be one, too.
In some ways, Fern Devlin is living in the past. She’s married to Dr. Drew Devlin, living in a lovely home in Manchester. Drew works long hours, but they usually enjoy a nice dinner when he finally gets home. Lately, however, Fern has noticed that Drew is stressed and depressed. One night he sits her down and says he wants to change his work life and, hopefully, their home life. He suggests they move to Aberdeen, a small town in Scotland. Fren is initially taken aback. But she has little room to protest. Drew is the wage earner and if he thinks he needs this change, then she has no choice.
After Fern agrees to move, Drew’s mood undergoes a change. He’s happier, even joyful. Fren knows, however, his new attitude is not about the move. Fern knows that he’s been having an affair with Alice, who moved with her husband to Arberness. Drew wants to move to be near Alice and perhaps rekindle their romance.
Alice is married, too. Her husband, Rory, works remotely and when he suggests they move to his hometown, she agrees. Unlike Drew, Alice wants to save her marriage. She breaks off the affair and puts distance between her and Drew. Or so she hopes.
In the small town, Fern and Drew soon run into Alice and Rory. Alice is shocked to see Drew and upset that he wants to restart their relationship. Fern, however, to make Drew uncomfortable, does everything she can to get close to Alice. When Fern invites Alice and Rory for dinner, Drew is initially upset. But when he manages to get Alice alone, they are soon kissing and making plans to meet.
The only doctor in town, Drew soon finds Rory in his office. Alice’s husband has been losing weight and having pain in his stomach. Drew takes blood and tells Rory he’ll let him know the results. But then, Drew thinks: what if Rory is really sick and doesn’t get treatment? Could that be another way to finally be with Alice? When he gets home, he pours Rory’s blood down the sink and puts the tube in the bin.
Thinking that Alice has turned Drew down, Fern pulls back for a time on completing her revenge plan. But when Drew says he’s taking his receptionist out for a drink at the pub to thank her for her hard work, Fern doesn’t believe him. Sure enough, she finds he’s not in the pub. Instead he and Alice are in his office having sex on one of the gurneys. Now, all bets are off and Fern knows what she needs to do.
As the narrative shifts between Fern and Drew secrets are spilled and a better understanding of the relationships between the four main characters comes into view. Daniel Hurst delivers a terrific plot twist at the end.
The Doctor’s Wife
Daniel Hurst
Top Bigstock photo: Copyright karn684
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