Her stomach twisted. She felt like a hypocrite. ‘Well, not really. I’ve been thinking of changing career, actually. Trying something different. The long hours of A&E are beginning to take their toll, and I want something more sociable, community nursing or teaching possibly…’
Alex dipped his bread in the houmos, scooping out a large dollop. ‘Sure, that makes sense. Realising you need a change is half the battle. All you need to do now is focus on what you want.’ He popped the bread in his mouth and she tried not to notice his groan of pleasure or the way the rumble of sound made her thighs clench.
‘Yeah, I guess…’ She took a sip of her water and avoided his eyes. He made it seem so easy. But sometimes it didn’t matter how much you focused on a goal. Life could still pull the rug from under you at any time… drain your savings in the blink of an eye.
‘Everything okay?’ He adjusted his glasses as if trying to see her better.
A flush heated her cheeks. ‘Saving for my flat deposit is looking a bit more of a long-term goal than I originally planned.’
Alex shifted awkwardly in his seat, and she immediately regretted mentioning it.Don’t talk about your money troubles to a rich man!
She smiled, even though her heart wasn’t in it. ‘I’m just being impatient. I’ll do some overtime, take on some more shifts…’
They ate in silence for a moment before Alex said thoughtfully, ‘Tell me more about your job. It might help you decide on your next career choice, knowing what you do and don’t like about the current one.’
Ellie was glad of the distraction. ‘Okay. I work in the A&E at the Royal – you’d call it an emergency room – so it’s always different and challenging, which I like. But the mountain of paperwork? I hate that. The physical and verbal abuse? No, thanks. I dunno… A&E can be really rewarding and exciting, but it’s also pretty ridiculous at times.’
‘Ridiculous?’
Mischievously she leaned a little closer and whispered, ‘Oh, there’s no end of things people will shove up them.’
Alex’s hand stilled halfway to his mouth, the heap of dip on his bread sliding off to plop onto the plate below. ‘Like what?’
With a smirk, she sank back into her seat. ‘Oh, anything. Toys – both kinds, before you ask – vegetables, tools, lightbulbs.’
He put his bread back on his plate. ‘Lightbulbs?Damn!’
‘But people always forget…’ She sighed dramatically.‘Hungry bums.’
Alex choked. ‘What?’
She gave a sage nod. ‘Hungry bums. One of the first things you learn in A&E. Bums can behave like a vacuum and suck anythingstraight up. If that happens, it’s tongs, laxatives or, worst case, surgery.’
‘Fuck.’ He took a sip of his mint tea with a horrified expression.
‘Quite.’
Their eyes met and a moment later they were both roaring with laughter.
When she’d caught her breath, she said, ‘You know what? That’s reminded me, life is precious, ridiculous and strange, and I need to start enjoying myself more.’
He grinned, raising his tea. ‘Good for you. Shall we say cheers to that?’
‘Bottoms up!’ She clinked her ornate silver tea glass.
There was a buzzing sound and Alex awkwardly shifted his hips to get his phone out. ‘Sorry, I’ll turn it off.’
‘No, go ahead and take it. I’m popping to the loo anyway.’ She slid out of the booth, accidentally noticing by the caller ID that it was Richie calling.
By the time she’d returned from the bathroom, Alex had ended his call, and the corners of his lips were pulled down in a frown.
‘Everything all right?’ asked Ellie quietly as she slid back into the booth.
Alex lifted his head. He looked like a man about to face a firing squad. ‘I need your help.’
‘Myhelp? What’s happened?’
‘Perhaps I should order something stronger, you might need it.’ The drawl of his accent coupled with the intensity of his gaze caused her mouth to dry.
