~o~
Suzanne's office phone rang. She was trying her best to be professional, but her personal problems were never far below the surface. She sighed involuntarily as she picked up the receiver.
"Good morning Suzanne Wilcox speaking, how may I help you?"
"Hello Suzanne, its Kenneth Granger, remember me."
The sound of Ken's voice lifted Suzanne's flagging spirit.
"Oh Ken; don't be silly of course I remember you... What can I do for you?"
"Well... since we met at Emily's cottage... You've been in my thoughts quite a lot. God I'm sorry Suzanne I feel like a silly teenager. Look, I'll get straight to the point... So...would you like to go out for dinner some time?"
"I'd love to, but I spend most evenings reading to Emily. I don't know if she can hear me but I know it helps me to cope."
"Well, if you like, maybe I could come along with you to the hospital. I tried to get in to see Emily shortly after her accident but they were only allowing family in, maybe if I went with you it would be all right. We could perhaps go on somewhere after."
"That would be really nice, Ken. Actually I would welcome your sensible opinion. The hospital has been hinting that I need to make a tough decision about Emily and the contemplation of what they are asking me to do is breaking my heart. Maybe a clear dispassionate opinion, one not too cluttered with emotion would be just what I need to bounce my own thoughts off."
"I'm not sure how dispassionate I am when it comes to Emily but I'd be pleased to be of help if I could. So can we say that's a date then?"
"Definitely, and Ken thank you so much for thinking about me."
"I'll arrange something for later in the week and give you another call, see you soon."
Although far from central to Suzanne's thoughts, Ken had not been totally absent from her mind since their meeting at Emily's cottage. The phone call had stirred some unexpected and long absent emotions for her.
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