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‘What about me?’

‘I know you said you enjoy your work – that you like helping people – but it’s more than that for you, isn’t it? You love it, don’t you? When you’re not getting frustrated with funding and battling lofty know-it-alls.’

‘Yeah, I do.’ Amrita laughed. ‘But you’re right, there is a lot of the red-tape frustration in my job too. Far too much, really.’ She sighed. ‘It can get really frustrating. Exhausting at times. Almost as bad as the patients who swear up and down they’re doing all their exercises even though they don’t see any improvements. As if I can’t tell.’ She smiled, her voice softening. ‘But then, there are patients like Sylvie who are so willing to work and put their whole heart into their rehab. Even when it’s so hard that it hurts. Watching them get stronger, start moving with confidence again, and reclaiming back parts of their lives that sometimes have been out of reach for years… That’s amazing. Being even a small part of it makes all the frustrations worthwhile.’

‘That’s incredible.’ Jamie smiled at her. ‘But I think you’re underselling yourself. I’m sure you’re much more than a small part of their recovery.’

‘They’re the ones who do all the hard work. I’m just a guide.’

‘You fight for them too. You admitted that already – and were ready to square up against me on Sylvie’s behalf.’

‘I’m never living that down, am I?’

‘Probably not.’ He chuckled. ‘But I don’t think you should want to. Caring about others and fighting for their needs is a pretty admirable quality.’

‘Thanks.’ She smiled slightly, then tapped the designs again. ‘Now, about these fall safety measures…’

They carried on talking, only occasionally remembering the plans they were supposed to be discussing, then leaning closer together as Amrita made suggestions and Jamie tweaked the odd line or adjusted a curve.

By the time Amrita looked up and noticed the clock, Jamie already had the distinct sense that the magic had decided it liked her. The feeling in the air had thickened a little, blurring and softening everything else – outside of his office, footsteps dulled and noises softened.

‘That can’t be right,’ Amrita murmured and checked her phone. ‘How have we been here for two hours and we’ve barely looked at half of the designs?’

‘Time slips here sometimes. Just another of those Hudsbury things.’

‘Damn it.’

‘What’s wrong? Anything I can help with?’

‘A message from my water company. And caretaker. And my neighbour. Apparently, the water to our apartment block is out. There’s been building work going on locally and it sounds like they’ve blown the main supply. Again. They don’t think it will be back on for a few hours.’

‘Sounds really annoying.’

‘Yeah, it is. Typical though. First time my phone behaves here, and it’s to deliver me bad news!’

‘Yeah.’ Jamie didn’t trust himself to comment, and wondered why this set of messages had been allowed through.

‘I’ll have to buy some more bottled water on the way home.’

‘Sounds sensible.’ Jamie nodded as the thought clicked. ‘Although, you could always stay in Hudsbury and have dinner with me.’

She hesitated.

‘We got on OK last time with takeout, didn’t we?’

‘We did.’ She smiled. ‘And I’d like that, but didn’t we agree I was supposed to be educating you on food?’ Her eyes lit up, gently teasing.

‘Well, I had invited you. But if you feel that strongly about it, I do have a kitchen.’

‘I don’t mean to be rude, but…’

‘You’re right. I’m sorry. That was presumptuous. We don’t know each other well enough. Yet.’

‘No, it’s not that.’ She caught his hand and squeezed, sending a mini shockwave through him. ‘I’m fine with the idea of cooking in your kitchen. It’s just… Unless I’m hugely misreading you, I don’t think you’d be likely to have all the spices I’d need. Unless you’re a secret spice aficionado?’

‘No.’ He chuckled. ‘I probably don’t, but I’ll have you know I’m not totally useless in the kitchen. I’ve even made curry before.’

‘It came from a jar, didn’t it?’ She laughed softly.