And Jaye made a very good friend. He never gave her any quarter professionally, never made things awkward by favouring her over any of the other staff. But he gave her the opportunities that had been promised, and ensured she made the best of them. At his behest, she and Ranjini started a review of the outreach programmes, with a view to expanding the women’s services that were so dear to Ranjini’s heart.
He’d remembered the coffee, returning from Colombo with half a dozen bags for her. And he must have bought some himself because the following day, when she knocked on the door of his bungalow to inspect the swelling on his hand, wash it and change the plastic sleeve that protected the splint, he had a cup ready for her.
It wasn’t entirely necessary. But it was the one time in the day that Jaye kept entirely for her. Megan justified it with the knowledge that Jaye made time to speak with everyone in the clinic every day. This was just her five minutes.
‘You’ve been washing your hands again.’ She inspected the skin between his fingers, where soapy water had seeped under the plastic sleeve and inflamed the skin slightly.
‘Yeah. Force of habit. I can’t help it.’
‘I thought you were going to let Dr Stone do the hands-on stuff and stand back for a while,’ she reproved him gently.
‘I’m trying.’ He gave her a delicious smile, and Megan couldn’t help but chuckle.
‘Okay. As long as you’re trying.’
‘What are you up to on Friday?’ He watched, uncomplaining, as Megan taped the plastic cover in place.
‘I haven’t got anything planned. Ranjini’s interviewing for a new nurse, and I thought I’d catch up on some paperwork.’
‘You’ve done enough paperwork already. Dinesh isn’t available to drive me, so I thought you might like to come along for the home visits. We’ll try to keep the digging to a minimum this time.’
It was so easy to say yes. They were entirely alone now, and Jaye treated her just the same as when they were surrounded by people.
‘Thanks. I’d like to do that.’
Chapter Twelve
THEY WERE MAKING it work. Not without a few awkward silences from time to time, a few things that Jaye wanted to say but which remained unsaid. Not without missing her, when she set out for a four-day tour of potential sites for the new women’s clinic that she and Ranjini were setting up, and not without feeling a sharp twang of regret that he had work to do here and couldn’t go with her. Not without worrying about her safety either, even though he knew that Megan could handle herself.
When the truck pulled back into the compound, late in the afternoon, he saw Ranjini hurry out to greet her. Then watched as Megan disappeared out of view, obviously making for her bungalow. Jaye finished his afternoon ward round and then went to his bungalow, fetching the bottle of brandy that he kept for emergencies along with a couple of glasses.
He found her sitting under the tree, as he’d known he would. When he put the bottle and glasses on the wicker table, she smiled up at him.
‘So you want a full report on how it went?’ She nodded at the bottle.
Jaye sat down, pouring a little of the brandy into each of the glasses. ‘Yes. Four days’ worth.’
She laughed. ‘Okay. I’m glad to be back. Warmish water in the shower and a soft bed.’
‘You could swap bungalows with me if you want hot.’
‘No, I’ll keep the one I have. Warm water’s fine and I like the shade. Yours is too hot.’
Jaye leaned back in his seat, taking a sip from his glass. ‘So what about the places you saw?’
Megan told him all about the sites they’d visited, people she’d met and places she’d seen. Jaye listened, as if he hadn’t visited them himself, many times. She made it sound fresh and new.
‘So you’re going for the more central site.’ It would have been his choice too.
She nodded. ‘I think so. The existing facilities aren’t as good, but that’s something we can change. We want a location that’s accessible to as many people as possible. And there’s plenty of space there to build.’
Jaye smiled. ‘You’re thinking of building something?’ Of course she was. Megan might content herself with the status quo, and make the best of it, but she never lost sight of the possibilities.
‘I’m just saying that if the project is successful, there’s space to build.’ She grinned at him.
‘Here’s to it, then.’ He refilled their glasses, clinking his against hers.
‘Yeah. Even if I don’t get to see it.’