Page 24 of Prognosis Bad Timing

Way too long. ‘Lotta years. You’re lucky, you’re ahead of your time.’

‘We’d be better off without them.’

Very mature. But then she thought of Dana’s quick, girly giggle. And Charlie’s slow lazy smile. ‘It wouldn’t be as fun, though, would it?’

They chatted for a little while longer until the girl stood and announced she had to go and Carrie headed back to her laptop.

She was so behind.

She’d hoped to get through December’s financial statistics today but helping with the clinic had thrown that out the window which meant she was going to have to stay late. Thankfully Dana was having a cousin sleepover at her sister’s place tonight, so there was no need to rush home.

She walked past Charlie’s office. The door was closed and he wasn’t in the treatment room so she assumed – hoped - that he was attending to the immunisation clinic’s billing paperwork. The thought of attacking her own stack of papers was exceedingly unappealing but Carrie gave herself a shake. The board would not be impressed if the report was late.

It could ruin her otherwise unblemished record.

And she’d already messed up one career - she wasn’t going to blow this one.

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Charlie opened the staffroom door a few minutes later to find Carrie at her laptop. She regarded him over the top of her wireless rims. Her jacket was off again and Charlie almost turned around and went back to his office to stare at the walls some more.

‘It’s past five. Shouldn’tyou be heading off?’ He crossed to the sink and flicked on the electric kettle.

‘Not for a while. Helping at the clinic put me behind so I’m working back. That’s OK, isn’t it?’

‘Sure. I never usually leave till nine-thirty or ten. What about Dana?’

A little thrill of pleasure coursed through Carrie’s veins at his consideration and she reined it in. So, he was thoughtful — that wasn’t entirely alien to the male species. ‘Sleeping over at my sister’s tonight.’

‘Coffee?’

She shook her head. “No thanks.” She was way too keyed up already. Him being in her space didn’t help. ‘You work long hours,” she said, suddenly nervous in his company. “I don’t see you claiming them on any of your timesheets.’

He shrugged. ‘I’d love for the centre to be open twenty-four seven but with just me, that’s not possible. So I do what I can to open extended hours. It’s not like I have anything better to do.’

Carrie took in his back view as he poured hot water into his mug and stirred in two sugars. He sounded like he lived for his work, too. Realising she was staring, she returned her attention to the screen.

‘Sorry I put you behind,’ he said, as he turned, leaning his ass against the edge of the sink.

Carrie stopped tapping on the keys and smiled, thinking back at her afternoon. ‘It’s OK. I enjoyed it, actually.’

He nodded. ‘Maybe that’s because you’re good at it. People respond to you.’

‘Nonsense.” Carrie returned her attention to a spreadsheet as her damn foolish head swelled a little at his praise. She couldn’t afford to let that happen. She was in management now.

That’s where her future lay.

‘I hardly had any contact at all. Spent most of my time at the computer.’

He pushed away from the sink and strolled in her direction. ‘Pardon my French but that’s a pile of steaming bullshit right there. They’re a tough crowd, Carrie. Trust me, they liked you. Just look at Tina earlier. She’s one seriously mixed-up, closed-off kid. You had her eating out of your hand.’

‘Tina?” Carrie glanced at him. “That’s her name? She’s a smart girl, that one, she’ll figure it out.’

He nodded. ‘Thanks in part to you.’

Their eyes met and Carrie was humbled by the sincerity she saw in Charlie’s gaze even though she wanted to deny the substance of his words. Then the phone rang and Carrie broke eye contact staring dumbly at the object hanging on the wall. The damn thing rang all day, constantly interrupting her concentration. She was learning to tune it out but was thankful for its interruption right now.

‘That’ll be for you,’ she said, watching as he ambled over with his long-legged stride.

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