Dr. Dark and Far-Too Delicious

by Carol Marinelli

  Oh, God, Jasmine thought, putting in her earrings, she was torn.

  Family first, she told herself, except she knew about the delays that had been caused in Jed’s career. He was older than Penny and he wasn’t where he thought he should be in his career.

  And here he was at her door.

  Her heart was hammering for different reasons when she first saw him in a tux.

  ‘Wow.’ Jed gave a whistle of appreciation. ‘I told you you’d look lovely.’

  ‘Wow to you too,’ Jasmine said.

  ‘I thought you said you had nothing to wear. Jasmine, you didn’t go spending a fortune, did you?’

  ‘No, no,’ Jasmine said. ‘I’ve had this for ages. I didn’t know if it would fit!’ Quickly she tried to change the subject. ‘Have you heard about the job?’

  ‘We’ll talk about it later.’ He sort of nodded his head in the direction of Ruby. ‘We ought to go, especially if you want to drop in to see your mum.’

  ‘I feel stupid walking through the hospital dressed like this.’

  ‘It will be nice for her,’ Jed said. ‘And knowing that place, Penny will get called just as she gets into her dress and have to do something urgent and be swanning around Resus in pink satin.’

  ‘I guess,’ Jasmine said. ‘Though I can’t see her in pink satin.’ Jed smiled, but she could tell he was a little on edge. Maybe he was having second thoughts about them being seen out together so soon and she told him so.

  ‘You’re being daft.’

  It was worth going in just to see the smile on her mum’s face.

  ‘You look great.’ Louise smiled. ‘You both do.’

  ‘I’m just going to go and ring the unit and check it’s okay,’ Jed said, and she knew it was because staff were a bit thin on the ground, but it also gave her a chance for a little bit longer with her mum.

  ‘You look so much better.’

  ‘I feel it,’ Louise said. ‘I told you your wedding dress would be perfect!’

  ‘Shhh!’ Jasmine warned. ‘I don’t want him knowing.’

  ‘Now.’ Louise was back to practical. ‘Your sister’s got something to tell you, some big news.’ And her heart should have surged for Penny, except first it sank for Jed and then it surged back up because she was truly torn. ‘It’s big news and even if it’s a bit hard to hear it, I think it’s really important that you be pleased for her.’

  ‘Of course I’ll be pleased.’

  ‘I know,’ Louise said. ‘I can’t say anything, I don’t want to spoil things for her, and I guess that it’s her news to share, but just keep that smile fixed on.’

  ‘I will.’

  She gave her mum a kiss and then walked out to where Jed was just hanging up the phone.

  ‘Let’s get going.’

  He was quiet on the car ride there and if he was just a touch tense, at least Jasmine knew why, but he took her hand and they walked in together and she knew that if he was being a bit quiet it had nothing to do with her.

  ‘Hi, there!’ Penny came over all smiles, and kissed Jed’s cheek and then Jasmine’s too.

  ‘You look amazing,’ Jasmine said, because Penny did. There was a glow in her cheeks and a smile that was just a little bit smug, and she didn’t blame Jed when he excused himself to have a word with Mr Dean.

  ‘Why are you wearing your wedding dress?’ Penny asked the second he was out of earshot.

  ‘Because I had about ten minutes’ warning about tonight,’ Jasmine said. ‘And don’t tell anyone.’

  ‘Isn’t that a bit twisted?’ Penny wrinkled her nose. ‘Doesn’t that make you a bit of a saddo?’

  ‘Stop it!’ Jasmine said, but she started to laugh. Penny was such a cow at times, but she was also very funny.

  ‘Any news?’ Jasmine asked.

  ‘Not here, Jasmine,’ Penny warned.

  ‘Oh, stop it,’ Jasmine said. ‘No one can read my lips. You got the job, didn’t you? I know you did.’ She looked at her sister. ‘I thought we were going to be more honest from now on.’

  ‘Jasmine,’ Penny warned.

  ‘Well, I’m thrilled for you.’ She really was. ‘Honestly.’

  ‘Jasmine, will you please shut up?’ Penny gave a sigh of irritation then beckoned her towards the ladies. Of course it was crowded, so they went outside and Penny waited till they were about twenty metres from anyone before she spoke,

  ‘I did get offered the job,’ Penny said, ‘and before you jump up and down on the spot and get all emotional and then start worrying about Jed...’

  Jasmine took a deep breath.

  ‘I withdrew my application.’

  Jasmine literally felt her jaw drop. ‘Why would you do that?’

  ‘Because,’ Jasmine said, ‘and I never thought I’d hear myself say this, but some things are more important in life.’

  ‘Your career is...’ Jasmine buttoned her lip but Penny just laughed.

  ‘Exactly,’ she said. ‘There needs to be more. I’ve been a terrible aunt,’ Penny said, ‘and an appalling sister, because I’ve been so incredibly jealous of you. I always have been. And I guess I still am. I want what you have.’ And she smiled as Jasmine frowned. ‘Not Jed, you idiot. The other guy in your life.’

  ‘A baby?’

  ‘It seems Mr Dean was right. They train you up and what do you go and do...?’

  ‘You’re pregnant?’

  ‘Not yet,’ Penny said. ‘But I’m hoping to be in the not-too-distant future, and from everything I’ve heard about IVF, well, I’m not going to be the sunniest person.’

  ‘Penny!’ Jasmine was stunned.

  ‘I’m in my mid-thirties and I just...’ Penny gave a tight shrug. ‘At the moment I have about sixty-three minutes a week to devote to a relationship. There are not many men who would put up with that.’

  ‘There might be.’

  ‘Well, I want my baby,’ Penny said. ‘And I’ve thought long and hard and I’ll work right up to the last minute and then—’

  ‘But IVF?’ Jasmine queried. ‘Don’t you just need a donor?’

  ‘I tried for a baby with Vince.’ Jasmine watched her sister’s eyes, which were always so sharp, actually fill with tears. ‘We had a few problems.’ She looked at her sister. ‘Or rather I had a few problems in that department. It meant IVF and Vince and I...’ She swallowed her tears down. ‘Well, I think we weren’t really up to the challenge.’

  ‘Is that why you broke up?’

  ‘In part.’

  ‘Why couldn’t you talk to me?’

  ‘I am now,’ Penny said, and Jasmine realised what her mum had meant about some big news. But, no, she didn’t need to be told to keep her smile on, she was genuinely thrilled for her sister. ‘You have to give me my injections, though.’

  ‘I can’t wait to stick another needle in you.’ Jasmine grinned and gave Penny a hug.

  ‘And I’m not giving up my career,’ Penny said. ‘I’m just not complicating things for now. I have no idea how I’m going to work things out.’

  ‘You will,’ Jasmine said.

  ‘I think I’ll have to get a nanny.’

  ‘We can share one.’ Jasmine grinned.

  ‘I want this,’ Penny said. ‘And I’m not waiting around for Mr Right. Anyway, I’ve seen both you and mum stuff up—we have terrible taste in men.’

  ‘I guess.’

  ‘Not this time, though.’ Penny smiled. ‘Mind you, don’t you go telling him I got offered the job.’

  ‘Penny! I’m sick of lying.’

  ‘I mean it. If he has got the job and that’s what he’s all worked up about, the last thing he needs is to be told I turned it down. Just be all happy and celebrate when he gets the news.’

  ‘Do you think he’s got it?�
�� Jasmine wasn’t so sure— Jed seemed really tense.

  ‘I’m pretty sure. There was an external applicant who was pretty impressive but I think Mr Dean wants to keep it in-house. He should hear any time soon.’

  She had a terrible feeling that he already had.

  Jed was lovely as they drove back from the ball a couple of hours later, but she could tell that he had something on his mind—it had stung when she had thought he had lost the job to Penny. She knew how his career had been sidetracked dealing with what he had, but losing it to an outsider would really hurt.

  ‘Where are we going?’

  Only then had she noticed they were driving to the city.

  ‘Somewhere nice.’

  ‘But you have to work.’

  ‘Nope.’ He grinned. ‘Mr Dean arranged a locum, well, not really a locum—he’s going to be working there in a few weeks so it’s good if he gets a feel for the place.’

  She looked over and tried to read his expression.

  ‘Working there?’

  ‘The new consultant.’ He gave a small grimace.

  ‘Oh, Jed.’ She really didn’t know what to say. ‘I know it’s hard for you...’

  ‘Hard on me?’ He turned and looked at Jasmine. ‘It’s hard on you, though Penny didn’t look as upset as I thought she’d be,’ Jed admitted. ‘I thought she’d be savage.’ He shook his head. ‘She seemed fine.’

  Jasmine looked out of the window to the bay. Penny had been right. Working in the same department was way too complicated. She could hardly tell Jed the real reason Penny was so delighted and she definitely didn’t want to tell him that Penny had actually turned down the job.

  They chatted about this and that but she could feel his tension and she was so irritated that they had told the applicants today of all days. Couldn’t they just have enjoyed tonight?

  ‘We can’t stay out too long.’ Jasmine glanced at her watch—half an hour really, if she was going to be back by midnight, though maybe she could stretch it till half past. It was hardly his fault. He just wanted to go out somewhere nice and wasn’t used to factoring in a one-year-old and his babysitter.

  ‘What are we doing here?’ she asked as they pulled up at a very nice hotel.

  ‘I told you I wanted to take you somewhere nice.’

  ‘Just a drink at the bar, then.’ She hoped he hadn’t booked for dinner. He popped the boot and as Jasmine stepped out of the car, she frowned as he gave his name to park it and frowned even more at the sight of her rather tatty case being hauled out.

  ‘Jed?’

  ‘Ruby packed it,’ Jed said. ‘It’s all sorted.’

  ‘Oh.’

  They went to check in. It was the nicest thing he could have done for her, but she felt terrible because surely he had been planning a celebration, or maybe he hadn’t factored in that he’d know.

  It was like holiday where it was raining and everyone was pretending it didn’t matter, all grimly determined to enjoy themselves, and she would...she was. Jasmine was thrilled to have a night away with him, she just knew how hard this must be for him.

  ‘Wow!’ She stepped into the hotel room and tried not to notice the champagne and two glasses. Instead, she stared out at the view but Jed poured two glasses and it tasted fantastic and, yes, it was fantastic to be together.

  ‘I am sorry about the job,’ Jasmine said.

  ‘Shhh,’ he said. ‘Let’s just celebrate.’

  ‘Cheers!’

  ‘You don’t know what we’re celebrating,’ Jed said.

  ‘That we’re here’s good enough for me.’

  ‘And me,’ Jed said, and then he smiled. ‘“Oh, ye of little faith”.’

  She didn’t understand. ‘Sorry?’

  He pulled back one of the curtains. ‘Have a look over there. What do you see?’ It was just a busy city. ‘Over there.’ He pointed to a tall building. ‘That’s where I’m going to be working. I got offered a consultant’s position on Thursday, so I withdrew my application.’

  ‘Oh!’ She could have thumped him. ‘You let me drive all that way thinking you were disappointed!’

  ‘No,’ Jed said. ‘I knew that you were disappointed—it’s awful for Penny. I really thought when I took the position at Melbourne Central that Penny was a certainty for the job. I think Mr Dean’s really got it wrong. The new guy seems great by all accounts, but it’s going to be tough on your sister.’

  ‘No, you don’t understand.’ She opened her mouth, but again she couldn’t say anything.

  ‘What?’

  Jasmine shook her head. ‘Leave it.’

  ‘I can’t.’

  ‘You can.’

  ‘I can’t.’

  Jasmine was firm. ‘She’s my sister.’

  She looked over to where he’d be working. ‘I thought you were happy at Peninsula.’

  ‘I’ve been incredibly happy,’ Jed said. ‘I applied to a few hospitals when I first thought of moving here and it was a close-run thing. I love big city hospitals but when Mr Dean hinted at a consultancy... Anyway, Central rang me last week and asked if I’d be interested in a more senior position than the one I interviewed for last year, and given the tension at work, given a lot of things, the choice was actually easy.’

  ‘That’s good,’ Jasmine said, trying to mask the little edge of disappointment in her voice, that just when they were finding each other he was upping sticks, but, still, it was just an hour or so away.

  ‘I like to keep work and home separate,’ Jed said.

  ‘I know that.’

  ‘And I haven’t been doing a very good job of it of late.’

  He started to kiss her and then pulled his head back. ‘You’re sulking.’

  ‘No.’ She looked up at him and she was too scared to admit it, because he meant so much more than she dared reveal. They’d agreed they were going to take things slowly and, yes, they were back on track, but maybe once he got to a big hospital, maybe when things were more difficult, when Simon was sick and he was on call and it all became too hard to have a single mum as a girlfriend who lived a good hour away, maybe then things would go wrong for them.

  ‘It’s been a hell of a week.’

  ‘And now it’s over,’ Jed said. ‘Now you can enjoy being spoiled.’ He gave her a smile. ‘Come on, tell me, how come Penny’s looking so pleased if she didn’t get the job.’

  Jasmine closed her eyes. ‘Actually, come to think of it, it’s a good job that you’re going to Melbourne Central. I’m not breaking my sister’s confidence.’ She looked at him.

  ‘Fair enough.’

  ‘She’s family.’

  ‘I’m not arguing.’ Jed grinned. ‘I think you want to, though.’

  ‘I don’t.’

  Jasmine didn’t. She didn’t want anything to spoil this night. ‘So...’ She forced her voice to be upbeat. ‘When do you start?’

  ‘Four weeks,’ Jed said. ‘It’s going to be fantastic—it’s a great hospital.’

  ‘Good.’

  ‘It’s everything I want.’

  He pulled her into his arms and he was smiling. She would not ruin this night, would not nit-pick, but how come he was so happy to be leaving? How come he had been so tense all night? Though he wasn’t tense now, he was delighted with his good news, thrilled to be moving an hour away, and she swallowed down her tears.

  ‘I can’t wait to start,’ Jed said. ‘And tomorrow I thought I might go and look for somewhere to live.’

  Some bachelor city apartment, Jasmine thought bitterly, but she kept her smile there.

  ‘The staff there seem really friendly,’ he added.

  She thought of Hannah, who was gorgeous and flirted like crazy, and Martha, and the wild parties they often had, and he would be there and she wo
uld be home with Simon.

  ‘And I can’t wait...’

  ‘Okay.’ Her lips were taut with smiling. ‘I’m thrilled for you.’

  She reached for her glass as she did not want to argue; she took a sip of champagne and swallowed down a row, but it was fizzing. Yes, she was happy for him, yes, she was thrilled, but... ‘Do you have to keep rubbing it in?’

  She didn’t get why he was smiling.

  ‘Sorry?’

  ‘Do you have to keep telling me how thrilled you are to be leaving, how fantastic it is to be moving away?’

  ‘Come on, Jasmine.’ He grinned. ‘Don’t spoil tonight with a row.’

  ‘I want one!’ She did. For the first time in her life she wanted her row and stuff it if it was an expensive one. So what if she was spoiling a wonderful night? Did he have to be quite so insensitive?

  ‘Go for it.’

  ‘I will,’ Jasmine said. ‘I’m thrilled for you. I really am, but do you have to keep going on about it?’ She just said it. ‘Do you have to keep telling me how delighted you are to be going away and all the parties...’

  ‘I never said anything about parties.’

  ‘Oh, but there will be.’

  And he just grinned.

  ‘And I’ll be home with Simon and you’ll be an hour away and, yes, I am happy for you and, no, I didn’t expect you to take Simon and me into consideration, but I can’t keep grinning like an idiot when the fact is you’re moving away.’ She started to cry. ‘And I don’t understand why you’re laughing.’

  ‘Because I love how you row.’

  And he pulled her into him. ‘I’ve been goading you.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Because.’

  ‘Because what?’

  ‘I want just a smidge of obsession.’

  ‘Well, you’ve got it.’ And he kissed her and it was lovely. She’d said what she thought, had had a good row and no one was any the worse for it. Then he stopped kissing her and looked at her for a very long time.

  ‘I am pleased for you. I honestly am. I know you’ll love it there.’ And she realised then what Hannah had meant when she’d said that she’d see her around. If she was going out with Jed she’d be with him at times. ‘I’m just sad you’re leaving, that’s all.’