Page 44 of The Wish
‘Oh, I see. So, there’s no problem then?’
‘We’re good.’
‘Good. Good.’
‘Why’d you invite me here, isn’t there some rule about you seeing people you work with outside the hospital?’
‘I’m pretty sure the rule is more about patients and their families, seeing them outside of the hospital. I’m sure you see people you work with away from the office.’
‘So, this is all right then?’
‘I think we’re OK.’
Alex nods, not sure of what to say.
The awkward moment is saved by the arrival of their drinks. Thanking the waiter they both play with their glasses, moving them around the table, each unsure if they should offer to ‘cheers’. Neither do and they both take a sip.
‘Did you grow up here, in the city?’ Kelly asks.
‘Yeah. You?’
‘I grew up on a dairy farm, watched my parents work from sun-up to sun-down and beyond twelve months of the year and couldn’t wait to get away. Not the life for me.’
‘Sounds idyllic to me. You don’t like getting your hands dirty?’
‘It’s not that, I don’t mind hard work, I don’t mind long hours, but there’s no let-up because the cows have to be milked twice a day, every day of the year. I knew at an early age that life wasn’t for me, so I studied hard to get good grades, move to the city and find a career.’
‘So, you’re a country girl. I thought there was something different about you,’ Alex says, studying her, forcing Kelly to look away.
‘What do you mean by that?’
He looks at her appraisingly. ‘I’m not sure but I think it’s something about the way you dress.’
‘What’s wrong with the way I dress?’
‘Nothing, it’s lovely. It’s just different and I’m the sort of bloke who doesn’t know what’s different, just that it is.’
‘OK. You’re right actually, I prefer clothing from previous decades, the sixties and seventies, and I mainly thrift my clothes. I’m all about recycling.’
‘Good on you. I saw how you were with Max, comfortable, not scared. I take it you had dogs on the farm, too?’
‘Well, yeah, we had dogs, but they were working dogs not pets. But yes, I love dogs, cats anything with four legs that doesn’t argue back.’
‘Ah ha, now I get you.’
They are startled when someone calls out Alex’s name. His colleague Sarah and her wife Claire walk towards them.
‘Sarah, hey. First time here. This your local?’
‘One of them,’ Sarah says warmly.
‘Kelly, this is Sarah. We work together. Sarah, this is Kelly.’
‘Nice to meet you,’ Sarah says. ‘So, how long have you two been seeing each other?’
Alex and Kelly exchange uncomfortable glances. ‘What? No. She’s the hospital social worker. We’re working together.’
‘Ah . . .Well, it was nice meeting you, Kelly, see you at the office, Alex,’ Sarah says, taking Claire’s hand and walking off, an amused expression on her face.
