‘Dogs would have got him eventually. I just couldn’t wait.’
‘See, maverick. You disobeyed an order from Marland,’ she said giggling, ‘you bad boy.’ She waggled an index finger at him.
Jake raised an eyebrow, thinking, then said, ‘In the words of Captain James T Kirk on trial on the Klingon home-world, “occasionally I have disobeyed orders”.’
Kirsty stared at Jake. ‘I never took you for a Trekkie! All this time we’ve known each other, not a word.’
‘There are a lot of things you don’t know about me. Remember, up till now, I’ve just been your FLO.’
‘What are you now then?’ she asked demurely.
Jake thought. ‘Friend, companion…’ He hesitated. ‘Lover, perhaps?’
Kirsty lowered her head and studied the table for a moment, just as their food arrived.
Jake looked at her. He used his hand to gently lift her chin. ‘All of these, but only when you’re ready, Kirsty. You understand?’
‘Of course. Whatever happens, I’d like to think you’d always be my friend.’
Jake nodded. ‘For ever.’
Throughout the meal they’d talked about nothing in particular, a bit of work, a bit about people in general, but that last comment, before the meal arrived, hung in the air. Jake was worried he had overstepped the mark. This was, when he thought about it, their first real date. Yes, they’d been out to see Nicholls together, but they had another motive. Had he put his foot in it? He couldn’t read Kirsty after that comment, so he decided to enjoy the meal with her, come what may.
As they were finishing their dessert, Kirsty looked up, as the front door opened, recognising the man who entered.
‘Who’s that?’
‘The dean of the university faculty, remember, he wants me to go and work for them as a professor of pathology.’
Jake’s eyes opened wide. ‘Wow, what I wouldn’t give for a job like that – professor eh? Cool!’
Kirsty laughed. ‘I’m afraid that teen talk doesn’t suit you, Jake. You’ll be making these silly gestures next.’
‘What’s wrong with cool – you gotta keep wiv da times!’ Jake guffawed.
‘Yeah, whateva!’ she giggled.
‘Here, he’s coming over.’
‘Ah, Professor Kingsfield,’ the Dean of Faculty said, holding out a hand.
Kirsty stood and they shook hands. ‘Er, not yet, I think?’
‘I have news for you. The senate has agreed and the job is yours. Once we’ve worked out the terms, you will become adjunct professor of pathology from next month.’
Kirsty smiled.
Jake stood up from the table and introduced himself. They shook hands. ‘That’s good news for Kirsty.’
The Dean agreed, then made his way to his table. Jake took Kirsty’s hand, but she let go and embraced him for the first time in public. Kissed him on the cheek and whispered,
‘Come on, let’s go.’
Driving Dead Page 31