Vic nodded.
‘Do you use condoms too?’
‘Umm. I’ve been with my partner for six years, so I haven’t been.’ What was it about doctors and nurses that made you feel safe enough to blurt your life story? ‘I did have sex with someone else recently, but we used a condom.’
‘Good. That’s what I like to hear. About the condom, I mean.’ The nurse busied herself getting items ready for testing.
‘Saying that, I found out my boyfriend cheated, too.’
‘Did he use a condom?’
‘Funnily enough, it wasn’t the first thing on my mind to ask.’ Vic sighed deeply. Somehow saying it aloud brought all the mess of the situation back. She tutted. ‘Jesus. The way I’m talking, anyone would think I was a teenager.’
‘So, this is a really sensible idea to get fully checked out.’ The nurse headed over to a unit to start placing some further swabs and tubes on a tray. ‘And there’s no judgement here.’ She relayed, with her back to Victoria, ‘I’ve heard about more affairs than a Relate counsellor, and you’ve done the right thing seeing us today. I’ll need to take some more swabs, and how about we get you tested for HIV whilst we are at it, if that’s OK with you? A full minge-monty, I call it.’
‘Er… sure. OK.’ Victoria laughed at this slip in professionalism.
‘And is it OK to text you the results to the mobile you gave us on the form?’
‘Yes, no problem. That’s fine.’
And as the nurse pulled on a fresh pair of disposable gloves, Victoria lay back on the bed and, in line with the Victorian saying, thought of England.
EIGHT
LONDON
The Author
19 December 2005
Two weeks later, Vic was relieved that it was nearly time for the long Christmas break. Her BV infection had thankfully long cleared up and she was feeling so much better. Now that the agreed amount of time had passed without conversation with Nate, she was beginning to feel clearer about both infidelities.
She had just arrived at the outside door of Glovers when her mobile rang. Seeing it was Nate, she took a huge breath.
‘Hey, Sharpie. How’s it going?’
‘Hey, Boo.’ Her beloved nickname for Nate suddenly felt alien to her tongue. ‘It’s going OK, thanks. Just arrived at work.’
‘I know you’re missing me.’ There was a hopeful lilt to Nate’s voice.
‘So much so, if I was an animal, I’d be a pine marten,’ Vic joked.
‘Sharpie, sharp as a tack, as always,’ Nate laughed. ‘Anyway, I know we said we’d meet and talk after Christmas but…’
‘It’s good to hear your voice,’ Vic intercepted – and meant it.
‘Aww,’ Nate cooed, then, ‘Shit, I’m late.’ He started to talk really quickly. ‘I just wanted to say that just in case you did need to reach me, I’m not going to be ignoring you but work is properly manic this week, what with office parties every lunch and dinner. Then I travel up to the Lakes with Tim for a few days, and you know what me and the brother are like when we get together.’
‘It’s fine. Go! Have fun.’
‘Vic?’ Nate’s voice softened. ‘We’re going to be OK, aren’t we?’ Vic then heard what sounded like a bicyle bell and Nate shouting ‘Hello’ to a work mate. ‘Vic, I gotta go, sorry. Laters.’
The bell in this instance had most definitely been a saving grace, for as much as Vic had missed Nate, living without him hadn’t been as terrible as she had thought it would be. Maybe that was because they had only spent a short time apart, and she had Orla for company. In reality, she hadn’t had the chance to feel alone with herself, or even her thoughts, for that matter.
She was glad to be spending Christmas in Windsor with her mum, without the routine of work or the frenetic backdrop of London town. She was also very much looking forward to sketching some winter river scenes and actually having the headspace to think about her job and her art too. She needed to work out exactly what would make her happy.
Letting herself into the office, she put her handbag down on the side in the kitchen and reached into the cupboard for a coffee cup.
