‘The man who will flip your world up on its head and you won’t care one iota.’ She laughs. ‘Just you wait. A pretty thing like you won’t be on the shelf for long.’
‘Who said I’m on the shelf?’ I ask, maybe a little delayed, but still. I’ve had interest, just no time or desire. And no world flipping, as she calls it.
‘Oh, my love.’ She looks embarrassed for a moment. ‘Forgive me, but if there’s a long-term man in your life, then I’m afraid you might be wasting your time on him. There’s no twinkle in your eye.’ She pats my cheek.
‘There is no long-term man,’ I admit. ‘No man, in fact.’
‘So you are on the shelf.’
‘You make it sound like I’m there to be taken by whoever comes along and likes the look of me.’
‘That’s the long and short of it,’ Mable says frankly with a shrug. ‘If a man wants you badly enough, he’ll take you.’
‘What if I don’t want to be taken by him?’
She smiles, like she’s privy to something that I’m not. ‘I think Dot needs some help.’ She nods across the way, and I see Dot struggling to sit up in her bed, grabbing the table to help, but it rolls away.
‘Wait there, Dot,’ I call, gathering up my things. ‘You’re not a gymnast. See you later, Mable.’ I head across the bay.
‘I need a piss,’ Dot snaps curtly.
‘Then I’ll have someone bring you the commode, okay?’
‘Make it quick.’
‘Yes, ma’am,’ I quip under my breath, getting her comfy before making my way to the nurses’ station. I grab a health-care assistant on my way and ask her nicely to help Dot and empty Mable’s bag of pee, before racing through the rest of my section, checking everyone’s obs before I hand over.
I feel utterly wiped out by the time I’m done. After giving the next duty nurse the rundown, I grab my coat and swing it over my shoulders before scooping up my bag and waving my goodbyes.
As I pass Mable’s bed, she wolf-whistles, making me grin and twirl midstride. ‘Why, thank you.’ I laugh, spotting one of my patients struggling to sit up in bed. ‘Hey, Deirdre, what are you up to?’ I hurry over to her.
‘My damn back is aching. It’s these pillows. They’re too soft.’
‘Then let me fix that for you.’ I spend a few moments plumping her pillows and wedging a rolled-up blanket behind them to make her more comfortable. ‘Try that,’ I say, easing her back down to the bed. ‘Better?’
‘Oh, yes, much.’ Deirdre sighs and squeezes my hand. ‘You’re an angel, Izzy.’
I return her gesture before placing her hand back on the bed. ‘You need anything else before I go?’
‘A new body.’
I smile, though it’s sad. ‘You sleep well tonight, okay? And I’ll see you tomorrow.’
‘Okay, dear. Have a good evening.’
I tuck her in and wander away, looking over my shoulder and smiling in satisfaction when I see her snoozing comfortably. She’ll rest easy now. And I believe I will, too, when I make it home.
Returning my attention forward, my heart stops, my smile drops, and my pace slows. And I’m pretty damn sure my world just flipped up on its head.
‘Izzy,’ Theo greets me softly, looking as sharp as he did the last time I saw him. His straight face takes me in, his eyes running up and down my body. I suddenly feel self-conscious, and I reach up to pat my hair down. Good grief, I bet I look a fright. Damn it! Then I quickly ask myself why I’m bothered by how drab I must be looking after my shift and what Theo must think of that. Why do I care? I don’t know, but I do. Annoyingly, I really care.
Today he’s alone, no other big guy to be seen. ‘Your hair’s perfect,’ he says dryly, and my hands freeze atop my head, my cheeks flaming. ‘But it’s nice to know you care.’
He has me pinned, so I don’t insult him by denying it. ‘Is Penny all right?’ I ask, wondering if she needs my medical assistance again.
‘She’s fine.’
‘Then what are you doing here?’ I feel eyes on me, not just Theo’s, and turn to find Mable probably enduring agony so she can get a better look at my surprise visitor. I roll my eyes and she grins, giving me a thumbs-up.
‘I like watching you work,’ Theo says, bringing me back to face him, leaving Mable ogling from behind.