It was well after seven o’clock when Jennifer finally swapped her white coat for her suit jacket and large winter coat. She had a briefcase full of work to keep her company that evening and was ready to head back to Sara’s place.
As she walked to the front of the hospital, she heard someone call her name and turned around to see Jasper heading in her direction. She prepared herself for the next onslaught of what he called teasing. She hoped he wouldn’t. She was worn out and just wanted to be left alone. What she hadn’t expected were the tingles that assailed her body as he drew closer. She ignored them and went on the defensive instead.
‘Dr Edwards.’ She nodded curtly. ‘Forgot to say something else this morning? Perhaps an extra insult that you just wanted to get off your chest before you left for the night so you could sleep in peace?’
‘Ooh, and there’s that sarcasm of yours. Right in my face and making me want to say something to definitely rub you up the wrong way.’
Jennifer stared defiantly at him for a moment then the tension seemed to flood out of both of them and they laughed. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said, shaking her head.
‘I am, too. I guess I didn’t make it easy for you today.’
Jennifer shrugged. ‘I’ve had worse first days.’ She pointed to the briefcase he held in his hand. ‘You’re a bit late to be heading home.’
‘It happens. Are you heading to your car?’
‘Yes.’
‘I’ll walk with you.’ With that he waved to the security guard who was on his way over. ‘I’ll walk with Dr Thorngate,’ he said, and Jennifer was left with no choice but to go with him.
‘At least it’s not raining.’ She tried to make small talk.
‘I guess, coming from Melbourne where it drizzles all day long in winter, Sydney might be seen as an improvement.’
‘I guess but I remember quite clearly what winter is like in Parramatta.’
‘Of course. I keep forgetting you know your way around here.’ He paused then asked, ‘Is that how you know Sara? She only said she had an old friend staying with her,’ he added.
‘We’ve been friends since high school.’
‘I remember now. She calls you Jen most of the time, right?’
‘Yes.’
‘Do you prefer Jennifer or Jen?’
‘Jennifer at work. Only my closest friends call me Jen.’
Jasper nodded but didn’t make any further comment. She pointed to a blue Jaguar Mark II. ‘This is me.’
‘This is your car?’
‘I just said as much. Why? What’s wrong?’
‘It’s just that…well…usually women don’t drive classic cars like this.’
‘That’s a very chauvinistic comment, Jasper. I’m sure you’d like your daughters to have an appreciation of fine cars.’
‘Well, yes, of course. Sorry.’
‘Don’t be. I’m used to that sort of reaction from men.’
‘Have you had it long?’
‘About eight years.’ She took a deep breath, looked down at the ground then met his eyes, the car park’s artificial lighting accentuating his angular jaw and straight nose. ‘It belonged to my fiancé. He died of cancer.’ There. It was out. She’d learned to say the words matter-of-factly, removing all emotion whenever she brought up Arturo.
Jasper nodded slowly. ‘Why are you telling me this? I thought you liked to keep your private life private.’
‘I do, but let’s face it, Jasper. Sara seems intent on getting the two of us together so no doubt she’s planning some party or get-together soon and we’ll be forced to mix. She’ll also let slip details about my past, just as she’s told me about yours.’
‘So you’ve said.’
‘It was only the basics. She probably thinks that because we’ve both lost someone to cancer that we have a lot in common.’
Jasper scratched his head. ‘She thinks that grief can bring people together?’
‘You know Sara. Her mind works in a way that is still a mystery to most top neurologists.’
He smiled at that, hearing the love she had for her friend in her voice. ‘And this is why she wants you to start dating again? Because you drive your deceased fiancé’s car?’
Jennifer had to smile. ‘It’s not just the car.’
‘It shouldn’t be. It’s an amazing car.’
‘It’s a money guzzler.’ She stroked the bonnet lovingly. ‘But I don’t begrudge one single penny.’
‘Let me guess. It makes you feel close to him?’
‘Art. Arturo—that was his name and, yes, it does.’