When he moved to kiss her she quickly stepped away from him and he stood back, surprised.
“As I said, there’s a problem. I’ve been to the doctor and it seems – ”
“Whoa. Don’t tell me it’sthatkind of situation,” he interrupted and when she flinched he softened his tone. “It’s not that, is it? You’re not pregnant are you babe, cos I’m not sure we’re ready for –”
“I’m not.”
His expression instantly relaxed.
“But I appear to have contracted … something,” Jenny was amazed at how calm she sounded when her insides were churning. “From you.”
He frowned. “From me? What are you talking about?” he asked, perplexed.
“Some kind of … infection?”
He turned away and ran a hand through his thick dark hair and when he turned back, she saw a look of utter horror on his face.
“My God. You don’t think … my God. You think thatIpassed on something suspect? I mean, how could you even think …?”
“How else? I hope you’re not suggesting … how dare you?Ihaven’t been sleeping around.”
While Karen suspected that he might go down this particular road, up until now, Jenny didn’t believe that he could stoop so low.
“No no, that’s not what I’m saying at all,” he continued, cupping her face in his hands. “I know you wouldn’t. I trust you. You wouldn’t cheat,” he gazed at her steadily, “in the same way that I wouldn’t cheat on you. Surely there are other ways you could have come across this?”
She was confused. “What are you talking about?”
“Well, what about your old boyfriend in Australia? Didn’t you tell me that he had been unfaithful?”
“Well, yeah, but …” Jenny slumped down on his couch, no longer quite so sure of herself. The doctor had told her that these things could lie undetected for some time and there was no way of knowing how long she'd had it. So there was indeed a chance that Paul could have been the culprit.
As it was, she’d been ignoring the symptoms for awhile and couldn’t remember exactly when everything started.
“I hadn’t thought of that,” she admitted in a small voice.
Roan sat down alongside her and gathered her to him.
“Think about it. You and I are in a committed relationship. How else could it have happened?”
“Maybe you’re right … I just … really didn’t know what to think,” Jenny whispered, tentatively returning his embrace. “I thought that maybe, you know … I just wasn’t sure.”
As she read the concern in his eyes, Jenny realised that she had made a mistake. Why was she so quick to doubt him? And how stupid of her to automatically assumehewas the one cheating, when there was already concrete proof that Paul had?
She looked at him, her tone filled with remorse. “I’m so sorry. You must think I’m awful accusing you like this.”
“I just wondered why I hadn’t heard anything from you this week. So how are things now? Did the doc get it sorted?” The look of concern on his face made her feel even more of a heel.
“No, I’ll be fine but …” She grimaced, embarrassed, “you’ll need to be treated too. I’m so sorry, I really do feel awful for - ”
Roan embraced her again. “Don’t be silly, it’s just a little misunderstanding.” He kissed her on the nose. “Look, why don’t you go and freshen up, and maybe we’llhead for a quiet pint and chat it all through.” Then he patted the pockets in his jeans. “Thing is, I seem to have left my wallet at work so I might have to –”
“Oh, I can sort it,” she piped up eagerly.
“Are you sure? I’d imagine there’s a few quid lying around here somewhere but –”
“Don’t worry about it, it’s the least I can do.”
Jenny went into the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face, relieved that things were back on an even keel. She shivered with a mixture of relief and delight that he had been so understanding. She’d make it up to him. She’d make sure they had a great night out tonight and then at the weekend, she’d take him out to dinner and wouldn’t let him put a hand in his pocket.
