He brought the car off the road and drove up the narrow, gravel drive to the parking space at the rear of the cottage and switched off the engine. At first there was silence in the fading twilight but as he listened hard he did begin to pick out sounds. Somewhere in the distance a church bell was being rung and somewhere much nearer the intermittent clack of contact between ball and bat said the local cricket team were practising. It wouldn't be long before the fading light stopped them and they would be off to the pub.
Sue put her arms round Jamieson's neck in the doorway and they kissed. ‘I’d almost forgotten how soft and warm your mouth was,' said Jamieson kissing her again.
'Come in before the neighbours start talking,' whispered Sue.
They looked at each other, both taking pleasure in their reunion. 'You are earlier than I thought,' said Sue.
Jamieson nodded and said, 'I think we've found the source of the infection. The consultant surgeon in Gynaecology appears to be a carrier.'
'Poor man,' said Sue, 'How is he taking it?'
'Not well,’ replied Jamieson.
'It can't be easy for him,' said Sue.
Jamieson did not argue. He said, 'It's not absolutely certain yet but the lab will know by tomorrow morning. I'll phone when I get up.'
'I suppose this means that your first job for Sci-Med is now over,' said Sue.
'I suppose it does,' agreed Jamieson. 'Although, to be honest I didn't do much. I merely suggested that the surgeon concerned send in a routine nasal swab. He had done it before of course, but he had been using antiseptic cream at the time so the lab test was negative.'
'And you spotted that?' said Sue.
'Well, yes.'
'Then you solved the problem. Sci-Med should be delighted.'
'Maybe they won't sack me just yet,' smiled Jamieson.
'You're too modest,' insisted Sue. 'We must have a small celebration.' She held up a bottle of German wine that she took from the fridge in the kitchen. 'What do you say?'
'Why not,' agreed Jamieson.
After dinner Jamieson took off his shoes and lay along the couch pleased at the feeling of contentment inside him.
'What like was Kerr Memorial?' asked Sue.
'A gloomy place, dirty, run down, full of people doing their best against the odds. The usual.'
'If the phone call in the morning confirms that the surgeon was to blame, will you have to go back up there?' asked Sue
'Briefly, to tidy things up.'
'Then what?'
'Whatever Sci-Med has in store.'
Sue moved to the couch. She lifted Jamieson's head momentarily to sit down and then replaced it in her lap. 'Did you miss me?' she asked.
'More than I can say.'
'What did you miss most?'
'What do you think?'
'My cooking? suggested Sue.
'No…' replied Jamieson hesitantly as if he were considering.
'My… conversation?'
'Not… exactly.'
'Then what?' asked Sue feigning wide eyed innocence.
'Come closer.'
Sue inclined her head and Jamieson whispered in her ear.
'Scott!' exclaimed Sue.
'You asked and I told you,' said Jamieson matter of factly. And if a man can't tell his wife that then it's a sad state of affairs.' Jamieson was enjoying Sue's discomfort.
'It's not that,' said Sue. 'But you didn't have to be so…so…'
'Vulgar,' suggested Jamieson with an amused smile. He drew Sue down towards him and whispered hoarsely, 'Yes I did. I feel vulgar. I feel earthy. I want you. I want to rip off your clothes and have you right now. His hand began to move over Sue's knee.
'Scott!' protested Sue. 'Put me down!' But the protest was half hearted and betrayed by laughter. Jamieson could tell from the warmth of Sue's lips when he pulled her face down on his that she too was aroused. He sat up on the couch and turned so that he could have her beneath him. He started taking her clothes off, first her blouse so that she was left with just her bra on her top half while he undid the zip on the side of her skirt.
'I take it we are not going to bed?' asked Sue with a smile.
'Correct.'
'Daddy said he might call round.'
'He's going to have to wait.'
'Sometimes I don't believe how much I love you,' murmured Jamieson as he lay on the cushion gently stroking Sue's hair.
'Believe it,' whispered Sue. 'Please believe it.'
Jamieson rose first in the morning and made the breakfast. It was a beautiful morning and he took the opportunity to stand out in the garden while he waited for the kettle to boil. There was hardly a breath of wind and dew drops hung on spiders' webs in the bushes. A village cat scurried away from its hide where it had been stalking birds as Jamieson neared the spot idly kicking a crab apple that had fallen from its tree. He was up at the top of the garden when he heard the telephone ring.
It was John Richardson. He said, 'I thought I would phone you and then I wouldn't have to wait around for you to call me.'
'Good thinking.'
'I'm afraid the strain from Thelwell is the killer strain. It has the same immunity pattern to antibiotics.
'So that is that,' said Jamieson conclusively.
'Ostensibly,' said Richardson, his voice pregnant with hesitation.
'I don't understand.' said Jamieson. 'You have found the source of the infection. Thelwell was carrying the bug. It all fits. What more conclusive evidence could you hope for?'
'I know that's how it seems,' agreed Richardson but I want to talk to you before we say any more.'
'What about?'
'I'd rather not say on the telephone. Perhaps you could come in to the lab on your return?'
'That won't be until tomorrow evening unless of course there’s some good reason for coming back sooner?'
'Tomorrow evening will be fine. I'll stay behind in the lab until you get here. Any idea what time that will be?'
'About eight.'
'Fine.'
'Who was that?' asked Sue from the bedroom.
'John Richardson, the Consultant Bacteriologist at Kerr Memorial.' said Jamieson thoughtfully. ‘The surgeon was carrying the killer strain.'
'So it's all over?'
'I think so,' said Jamieson distantly. 'But Richardson wants to talk to me before he makes the report.' Jamieson came back inside to get on with making the breakfast.
Sue dressed and came downstairs. She sensed that Jamieson was troubled about something and asked what it was.
'Richardson,' said Jamieson.
'What about him?'
