Page 78 of Sing it, Sam

“Mr Marshall,” Kathleen says from behind me in a sugary tone. “Right on time.”

“I’d never be late for you, Mrs Peters.” Ben enters the time and signs his name then puts the pen down, pushing it towards me with a smile.

Kathleen laughs softly, and a pink hue rises to her cheeks.Oh my god, is she blushing?

My boss buzzes the secure doors, and walks out to the side, ushering Ben to the right. “Come on through to my office. Ah, Jane?”

I swivel in my chair, giving her my full attention. “Yes?”

“Can you please call Paige and send her to my office?”

The meeting includes her as well?“Sure. No problems.”

“Hey, Ben?” I call out.

He turns his upper body to face me and rakes his fingers through his curls. “Yeah?”

“Thanks again.”

He nods. “Pleasure is all mine.”

Once they’re out of view, I contact Paige on the two-way radio, and direct her to Kathleen’s office.What I’d give to be a fly on the wall in that meeting.

To stop my imagination running wild, I focus on doughnut number one, inhaling it in three bites. Five crispy brown rings continue to steam in the bag. If I wasn’t stuck at my desk, I’d totally run them down to Sam. But I can’t, so unfortunately, he’ll have to wait.

It’d be sad to not eat another doughnut while they’re hot.Poor sad doughnuts.I don’t want you to be sad.

I eat another one, savouring the sweet taste, licking the sugar from my lips after each mouthful. When I go to pick up another one, I stop myself. Sam deserves four. He deserves more, really.

But four might make him sick. I eat a third. I kind of hate myself for it, but I justify it by thinking of Sam’s health.

Surely, he’d do the same thing for me.

***

Kathleen enters reception about half an hour after Ben’s arrival. Heavy footsteps echo in the hall.

“Ben isn’t signing out yet?” I ask, eyeing the secure doors.

“Not yet,” she replies. He must be on his way to Sam.Perfect. I’ll get to the bottom of this.

“Do you mind if I go to the bathroom?” I pick up my empty water bottle and shake it to get my point across.

She smirks. “Sure.”

I scoop up the coloured flyers with details of upcoming events. “I might stick up some flyers while I’m up if that’s okay?”

She eyes the colourful paper. I hand her one. She nods as she reviews the activities listed on the flyer for the next fortnight. “It looks like you’ve got something for everyone. It’ll be a busy couple of weeks.”

I smile, thinking of Mrs Lee playing Bingo, Frederick getting his chance to cook, and the litter of five-week-old Labrador puppies that are coming for a visit.Pretty excited about that one, myself.“Yeah, it will.”

“I appreciate all your hard work, Jane.” Kathleen places her hand on my shoulder and gives it a reassuring squeeze. “Listen, I know it’s been difficult for you, managing your own work as well as covering for Sally-Anne, but I want you to know that if her absences continue, I’m bringing in another part-timer to help.”

My shoulders drop with relief. “Thank you. I mean I don’t mind helping out, but—”

“Say no more. Okay, off you go.”

I leave the office and set the flyers and stick-tape dispenser down on the nurses’ station, then make a beeline for the bathroom. While I’m in there, I splash some water on my face and re-do my ponytail.

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