‘I’m not sure I like being so needy, but it’s just for today. I’ll talk to the union tomorrow and see what the next step will be.’ Together they walked to the kitchen where Jodie filled the kettle and switched it on. ‘I’m hoping they’ll allow me to work otherwise I’ll be sitting around for months twiddling my thumbs.’

Flynn propped himself against a wall as she filled mugs with coffee and poured water and milk. ‘How will you manage if they don’t let you work? How will you pay the rent?’

Jodie handed him a mug and waved towards the sitting room. Once she was sitting on the sofa, the mug cupped between her hands, she answered him. ‘I’m lucky. I don’t rent nor do I have a mortgage. I used money I saved when I was in Dubai along with an inheritance from my mother to buy this place. I still have a bit aside.’ She smiled slightly. ‘I refer to it as my run-away money. You know, if ever life got too boring, it would allow me to simply pack my bags and take off. I was thinking of getting bored, though, not fired.’

‘At least that’s one thing less for you to have to worry about.’ Flynn sipped his coffee. ‘Why don’t I take you out for dinner. We can have a bottle of wine and talk about what you’re going to do.’

Jodie looked down at the shirt and trousers she’d put on that morning. ‘Okay, but let me change into something more comfortable.’ She pulled at the material of her shirt. ‘I was trying to look professional and efficient.’

‘You look amazing but change if you want to.’

She put her mug down. ‘I’ll be a minute.’

In fact, it was fifteen before she returned. She’d had a shower to freshen up and applied heavier makeup to cover the pallor that shocked her when she looked in the mirror. ‘Better?’

‘You looked wonderful before but you look stunning now.’ Flynn stood and put an arm around her waist to pull her close. ‘Plus, you smell divine. Maybe we don’t need dinner after all.’

Jodie laughed and pushed him away. ‘I need food and I most definitely need wine.’ She leaned forward and planted a kiss on his cheek. ‘But thank you, you’ve made it all a lot easier.’

They went to the Italian for convenience and were in luck getting the last free table. They both went for pizza, agreed on red wine and within minutes were sitting back with a glass in hand.

‘Here’s to you being cleared of any wrongdoing,’ Flynn said, raising his glass to her.

‘Amen to that.’ Jodie clinked her glass against his. She gulped a mouthful and sat back. ‘I needed this.’