‘It’s automatic and I’ve still got one good leg,’ Kenneth told her, laughing. ‘Come on, get in. I promise you I’m perfectly safe… as a driver…’
He couldn’t really be flirting with her, could he? Sally wondered feverishly as she got into the front passenger seat. No, he was just being polite, friendly. The trouble with her was that she was so out of touch, so unused to being in the company of an attractive, communicative man that she didn’t know how to respond any more, or how to read the subtle messages her senses were picking up from him.
She was being ridiculous, he just wanted someone to talk to, she told herself quickly as he started the car and then turned to smile at her.
‘I know a pub where the bar meals are reasonably good and with a bit of luck midweek it should be fairly empty.’
As he watched her, Kenneth wondered how long it would be before she guessed how deliberately contrived this meeting had actually been. He had missed her like hell since he’d returned home, and it had only taken a chance discovery that there was an alternative clinic he could attend, plus a bit of time spent working out her shift pattern, to have him altering his appointment and then hanging about in Outpatients trying to make himself as unnoticeable as possible until she came off duty.
He had earned himself one or two sharp looks from a couple of nurses and one of the porters, but it had paid off.
Kenneth had no illusions about his situation. His feelings for Sally were far stronger than hers for him, if indeed she had any, but she was not totally unaware of him; that pretty little flush and sideways look had told him that.
For a man who claimed to need help with them he was remarkably adept at managing his crutches, Sally reflected as Kenneth parked his car and ushered her into the pub.
He had been right about its being quiet, and its setting out in the country, away from the town, meant that she was unlikely to bump into anyone who knew her.
She frowned. What had put that thought into her head? Why should it matter if anyone saw her? She wasn’t doing anything wrong. She was just having lunch with an ex-patient, that was all.
Kenneth found them a table tucked away in a small natural alcove and then gestured to the menu blackboard behind the bar, asking her what she would like to eat.
When Sally saw the prices she hesitated, force of habit making her run down the list for the cheapest item.
‘What’s wrong… don’t tell me you’re dieting?’ Kenneth teased her.
She laughed. ‘No, it’s just…’
‘Just what? Nothing there that you fancy?’
‘No, it’s not that.’ She could feel herself starting to flush slightly. ‘It’s all so expensive,’ she whispered to him, watching as he frowned as he too studied the board, his voice gentle as he told her,
‘Order whatever you want, Sally, and let me enjoy spoiling you a little bit… you deserve it.’
Sally had to look away from him. She could feel her face burning again, but this time not because she was embarrassed.
How long had it been since Joel had said anything to her like that… had made her feel valued and precious… had made her feel that it was a privilege and a pleasure to be with her?
In the end she ordered a lasagne and Kenneth did the same.
‘Now,’ he commanded when they had both been served, ‘tell me what’s wrong.’
‘Wrong?’ Sally stared at him, too surprised by his astuteness to question the intimacy of his demand. ‘It’s nothing…’ she started to deny, and then when she saw his face she shook her head and admitted, ‘It’s Joel. He should hear today about his job. The factory he works for could be closed down and all the men made redundant. He’s taking it very badly…’ She bit her bottom lip. ‘Worse than he needs to, really. It won’t be easy but we could manage. I could go back to work full-time… Sister even said to me today that she thought I should take more training to help my career.’ Sally laughed.
‘I’m sure she’s right,’ Kenneth interrupted her. ‘You’re a very bright girl, Sally,’ he told her before she could say anything. ‘And it’s a pity that…’
He stopped speaking abruptly.
‘That what?’ Sally challenged him.
‘Nothing,’ he told her quietly, and then admitted, ‘I was going to say that it’s a pity that your family didn’t see to it that you had the chance to fulfil the potential you’ve so obviously got, but I didn’t want you to think I was being critical of… of anyone.’
He meant of Joel, Sally recognised swiftly.
‘Oh, you mustn’t feel sorry for me,’ she told him lightly. ‘I was quite happy to give up work and stay home with the children.’
‘Yes, but you’re not happy now.’
Sally almost choked on the mouthful of food she had taken. She put down her knife and fork and looked at him.