“Since noon.I grabbed something with Chris at her café.”
Jamie checks his watch.“It’s ten p.m.”
I shrug.
“Do you want me to get you something?”
“No, thanks.I don’t think I can keep anything down right now.”
“Do you want to tell me what happened?”
I stop stirring my tea and lift my gaze to meet his.
“I don’t think you really want to hear about it.It’s not something you just share.”
“I don’t mind.I mean, if it makes you feel better.”
“Why?”
“Why not?”
“That’s not an answer.”
Jamie sighs, runs a hand through his hair, and says, awkwardly, “I just want to make you feel better.”
I didn’t see that one coming.
“I’m not used to talking about my job with anyone other than my colleagues.”
“Maybe it’s time for a change.”
“Should I do it with you?”
“I’m here now.”
I study his expression for a few moments.I’m not sure whether he’s being genuine, just trying to be nice, or actually caring.
“Are you sure?”I ask doubtfully.
He nods and takes a sip of his tea.
“It was a regular day.There were a few broken bones, a couple of colds, some cuts and stitches.Just the usual things.”
“If you say so.”
I smile.“You’re right.I talk about it as if it’s normal for everyone.”
“You talk about it as if it’s normal for you, and that’s fine.”
I take a deep breath.“There was a major accident on the M1.Three cars were involved, and a truck.”
He listens carefully, not interrupting.
“They brought three of the injured here.One of them in critical condition.”I take a painful breath.“A woman, eight months pregnant.”
My hand, still resting on the cup, begins to shake.I curl it into a fist and set it on the table, hoping he won’t notice.
“I was the first one they called.”I pause.“And I tried.I really did.I did everything I could.”
