‘Wine, good food and the company of someone who cares. It’s the magical combination when things are a bit rough.’

Jodie tilted her head. ‘Sounds like you’re speaking from experience, Flynn. Why don’t you tell me your sad story to take my thoughts off mine?’

He stared into his glass for a few seconds before shaking his head slowly. ‘Maybe another time. Tonight, it’s all about you. Tell me, where will you look for a job if that MNC crowd tell you that you can continue working?’

Jodie smiled. ‘It’s NMC.’ The smile faded and she gave a weary shrug. ‘Even if they tell me I can work while they’re carrying out the investigation, I’ll have to tell any prospective employer that the investigation is ongoing. It won’t make it impossible to get another position but it may make it difficult.’

‘Would you think about doing something else?’

She lifted her glass and swirled the wine around. ‘I’ve been a nurse all my working life. It’s all I ever wanted to do. I enjoyed working in operating theatres but when I moved into care of the elderly, I found it much more satisfying.’ Her fingers tightened on the stem of the glass. ‘It’s so unfair.’

Flynn reached across and took hold of her free hand. ‘You’ll get through this and I’ll be here for you while you do.’

Jodie turned her hand and wrapped her fingers around his. What luck it had been to meet him. With him and Rivka on her side, she’d do okay regardless of the outcome. She picked up her glass and took a drink to hide her suddenly tear-filled eyes. She was kidding herself. If the outcome was bad, if she were really struck off, what would she do?

Flynn tried his best to keep her spirits up and she did manage to smile at the funny stories he told her about some of the customers he had to deal with but she was conscious that her smile was forced.

‘Thank you,’ she said as they walked home hand in hand. ‘It would have been a sad evening on my own if you hadn’t come over.’

He put an arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer. ‘I’ll be here for you as long as you need me. It’s no problem for me to work from here for a few days. I may need to go back to my place for more clothes but that’s all.’

‘Maybe I could go with you. We could stay at your place for a while. I could go out to the galleries or go shopping.’

‘My apartment is only a studio, didn’t I tell you? It’s fine for one but definitely not big enough for two.’