Would it? Jodie was taken aback. Yes, she guessed it would. ‘It sounds interesting,’ she said, hoping he wouldn’t think her reply lacked enthusiasm. ‘Actually, it sounds like exactly what I’m looking for.’

‘Great, great. How soon can you come in for a chat?’

Feeling slightly bewildered by the speed this was all happening, Jodie took a deep breath. Maybe this was the wrong idea. Flynn was probably right, she wasn’t tough enough for this whirlwind world.

‘Just a chat, no commitment. And if you decide it doesn’t suit, perhaps there’s something else that might.’

What harm could it do to go and speak to him? ‘Tomorrow. I could come in tomorrow.’

Agreeing on a time, she put the phone down and laughed in surprised disbelief. She wasn’t sure if it was a silver lining or not but maybe getting fired would catapult her into a better life. She’d been a nurse for almost sixteen years. Maybe it was time to try something else.

Flynn mightn’t approve but there was no point in telling him until there was reason to. She was going for a chat and might not be interested when she heard the details. There was also the possibility that they might not be interested when they heard about the NMC investigation. That thought rocked her. Maybe she was wasting her time.

She rested her head back on the sofa. There was no harm in going… it was as good a way as any to fill her day. When her mobile phone rang, she picked it up, saw Flynn’s name on the screen and pressed to accept the call. ‘Hi.’

‘Jodie, hi, sorry for not ringing earlier, it’s been a crazy day. Listen, I think I’ll stay at my place tonight.’

Earlier, she’d have been pleased to have heard this, now contrarily, she was disappointed. ‘Okay.’

‘I’m glad you sound disappointed. Miss me, I’ll certainly miss you. I’d come over but I have an early meeting tomorrow and I need to be on time.’

‘No, that’s fine. I’m really tired anyway, going to have an early night.’

‘How’s the job hunt going?’

It was tempting to tell him about the recruitment agency and maybe she would when they met, face to face. ‘I had a reply from two of the homes. One has a vacancy that might be an option.’

‘Oh good, that must be a relief. Stuff that other place. That nursing body will soon clear you and everything will be back to normal.’

Normal! She almost laughed. ‘Yes, I’m sure it will.’

‘How about dinner on Wednesday? I could stay over… if you’d like?’

She’d like very much. ‘That sounds like a plan. Hopefully, I’ll have more news on the job front by then.’