‘Yes, I will. Anything that will shake the home’s certainty that I was to blame will help my case. But it’s going to be months before it’s all sorted.’

‘I’ll be here to help you through it. And at least you can work.’ Flynn picked up the bottle, filled their glasses and reached his free hand out to caress her cheek. ‘You’re sure that’s all it is? You look sad tonight.’

It was the perfect opportunity to tell him about the baby shoes, about Victor. About the baby she’d had and given away. Instead, she lay a hand over his. ‘I’m a little tired, that’s all. And maybe a little worried about it all.’

‘You’ll find it easy to get another position, won’t you? Nurses are always sought after, especially experienced ones like you.’

Jodie smiled at his certainty. ‘I’ve sent off my CV to the other homes in the area. I’m hopeful.’ Her expression turned serious. ‘I could always go back to work in operating theatres or try something else entirely. Maybe I’ll have a think.’

In fact, an idea had come to her as she was unpacking Flynn’s bag. All his expensive clothes. Sales representatives earned incredibly good money. She knew a few nurses who’d taken the plunge and all were doing well. Perhaps it was something she should think about.

For the moment, she’d keep her idea to herself. She didn’t want to be swayed by Flynn or anyone else, one way or another.

16

They ordered a Chinese takeaway from a restaurant Jodie liked and sat eating at the small table overlooking the courtyard garden. Solar lights that Jodie had spent a fortune on came on and added an extra magic touch to their evening.

‘This is very pretty,’ Flynn said, manipulating his chopsticks with a skill Jodie, who’d thought she did well, envied. ‘You’ve managed to do a lot with a small space.’

‘Thank you, I’m very lucky.’ And she was, she realised. Sitting there in her lovely home, with a gorgeous man. ‘Tell me about your job? What made you decide to become a sales representative?’

Flynn put his chopsticks down and pushed his plate away. ‘That was really good,’ he said, picking up his beer glass. ‘Why did I decide to become a sales rep? Well, it’s not an overly exciting story. When I finished my BA in university, I dossed around before somebody suggested I should apply for a sales job.’ He grinned. ‘It seems I have the gift of the gab. So, I applied.’ He held up his hands. ‘And that was that.’

‘And you’ve never regretted it?’