Doctor's Delight(18)
“No. As you would know.” Helen now sounded as puzzled as Cherry. “Ms Jones, are you all right? Did anything happen last night?”
“What time did Damien go to hospital?” Oh no, oh nononononono.
“He was on his way to meet you, the traffic was quite heavy, his flat mate said he got notice about ten forty-five.”
Oh no! This was not happening!
“Ms Jones? Ms Jones, I can reschedule you with another escort, I—”
“No,” Cherry said shakily. “No, I’ll ring you when I want another appointment.” Like never.
“Very well, but let me assure you—” Helen’s voice was cut off as Cherry snapped the phone shut.
Taking deep breaths, she turned it off completely and laid it down beside her handbag.
“Cherry?” Susie called. “What’s wrong?”
“Oh boy.”
“What’s happened?” Maxie half stood worriedly. “Tell us.”
Turning slowly, Cherry walked back to the table, sat down, and swallowed half the Diet Coke in several big gulps. Placing the can back down on the table in precise movements, she met the eyes of her friends’ in turn.
Susie and Maxie gazed back at her worriedly.
“Damien,” Cherry said slowly, “Is in hospital.”
“He had an accident on the way home?” Maxie asked.
“On the way to our appointment, actually.”
Confused, Maxie frowned. “But how..?”
Susie sucked in a breath. “If Damien was in an accident on the way to you but was taken to hospital, then…?”
“Then who the hell did I have sex with last night?” Cherry clapped her hand over her eyes. “Oh my God! I didn’t sleep with a male prostitute, I slept with a bloody complete stranger!”
Dumbfounded, Maxie and Susie looked at each other then back at Cherry.
“Shit,” said Maxie. “How much did it cost to sleep with a stranger?”
“Not the right time for that,” Susie cut in hastily.
“Four hundred dollars,” Cherry moaned. “I paid a complete stranger, who wasn’t a prostitute, four hundred dollars to have sex with me. Oh God, no wonder he said someone named Tim had mentioned a surprise!”
“A what?” Maxie was still grappling with the appalling news.
“He mentioned someone named Tim said he had a surprise for him – Damien, whatever the hell his real name is – and I didn’t cotton on – oh my God! Susie!” Cherry almost wailed. “I slept with someone who didn’t have a health check for all I know! Susie!”
“Calm down.” Susie hurried around the table to rub Cherry’s back. “Did he use a condom? Tell me.”
“Yes.”
“Then you’re probably okay.”
“Probably?”
“Now calm down. This isn’t so bad, this—”
“Who the hell did I have sex with?” Cherry looked up at her friend. “Susie, who did I have sex with!”
~*~
“Who the hell did I sleep with?” Rick demanded.
Tim looked up from where he was examining the small terrier. “No idea. But she sounds hot.” He grinned.
“This is no laughing matter, Tim.”
Rick watched as his friend placed the stethoscope on the bench and carried the dog across to one of the wire cages to place it carefully inside.
Tim marked something off on the chart on front of the cage. “You have to admit, it’s a nice fantasy come to life.”
“What?”
“You know. Mysterious woman.” Tim turned around and moved his hands in an hour-glass shape pattern. “Va-va-voom curves. Virgin.” His gaze turned thoughtful. “Kind of hard to find nowadays, actually. Didn’t think there were any virgins left.”
“There’s one less now,” Rick snapped.
Tim guffawed.
Rick rubbed his brow. “You’re sure you don’t know her?”
“Absolutely no idea. My surprise was you finding that packet of glow-in-the-dark condoms that must have fallen out of my pocket and into your car, not a luscious chick.” Taking pity on his friend, Tim gestured to him. “Come back to my office for a coffee.”
“I don’t think coffee is going to fix this.”
“Can’t have booze, I’m afraid. I’m on call tonight as well.” Tim winked. “Can’t all have wild nights with a mysterious woman.”
Rick followed him moodily, throwing himself into one of the big chairs and swivelling back and forth in it while watching Tim pour the coffee.
“You’re in a real knot over this.” Tim spooned sugar into both cups. “It’s not like you haven’t bedded women before.”