And just like that, Spencer’s woes of the night paled into insignificance.
“Marshall. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Comes with the job. Heaven knows what will happen if the US ever decides to pull out of Afghanistan like they’ve been threatening to. Anyway, I think you had things a lot worse. This ex of yours doesn’t sound like a particularly nice person. Did you know he dated women as well as men?”
“No. But then I’m not surprised. Blake was never one for sharing.”
“Blake? As in Blake Moresby, Muriel’s son?”
Spencer stumbled to a halt.
“Oops. Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything. I keep forgetting you know people.”
“Come on, Spencer. You know a lot more about me than I do about you. But I had heard from a very close friend that Muriel’s son is a self-absorbed, egotistical prick.”
“Hoi! That’s my bastard ex-boyfriend who dumped me by tweet you’re dissing,” said Spencer, chuckling.
“Not my words,” said Marshall, laughing along. “But those of a good friend. Who is now living in Papua, New Guinea. And no, before you ask. The two things are not related.”
“What were you doing in Afghanistan to almost get killed? I didn’t think people could travel right now.”
“Strictly speaking, they can’t. But, let’s just say, our producer managed to pull a few strings. Officially we were there to cover a human-interest story about the Afghanistan national cricket team, how they’re persevering and succeeding in spite of adversity. And all of this against the backdrop of strained peace talks.”
Spencer strolled down the lamplit pavement towards home and looked at the darkened windows of the terraced houses that lined the way. Maybe the bitterly cold weather was to blame, but nobody else had braved the streets that night.
“Tell me about this cricket team. And when will the programme be aired?”
From the lighter tone of his voice, Marshall appeared to enjoy talking about his trip, about chatting to the captain and most of the players, asking about their lives in the sport and how they coped at home. Many of them had experienced hardships and lost loved ones in various conflicts. Absently, Spencer wondered why they couldn’t have simply done the interviews via an online conferencing system, why they’d needed to actually be there in person, which would have been much safer. But he didn’t voice the concern.
“We take so much for granted in this country, don’t we?” said Spencer instead, when Marshall paused. “Things like the relative peace, safety and security. I imagine that kind of experience grounds you every time you land back from a hot spot.”
“In a way, it does. But I still love what I do and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Just as well. Because you’re bloody brilliant at what you do.”
Once again Marshall’s deep laughter came down the phone.
“Thanks for those flowers and chocolates, by the way,” said Spencer. “Caused quite a stir in the office.”
“Yes, I did worry a little about that. But I needed to say thank you and the only thing I knew about you was your name and the fact you worked for Muriel’s magazine company. What did they say when they found out I’d sent them?”
“They didn’t, because I didn’t tell them. Only my best friend, Bev, knows the truth. Everyone else thinks they were sent to me by a secret admirer.”
“Which is a fairly accurate assessment, actually.”
Spencer smiled into the phone. Marshall’s voice was doing all sorts of wonderful things to his insides.
“Hey, look,” Marshall continued. “I’m sorry it’s taken so long to get back to you. It’s because of the phones I use. I have a personal number that I keep constant track of, one I only give to a few people, like family and Darcy. But I have another that I usefor business contacts, the number I would have given to Muriel Moresby. When I’m away on an assignment, I rarely check that phone, so I’m really sorry I missed your message. But as you’ll see, I’m sending you my private number.”
And just like that, a message with a contact file popped up on his screen.
“I’m honoured.”
“And I wondered if you might want to grab dinner with me sometime. I’m going to be flat-out next week, recording a couple of shows, but wondered how you’re fixed next weekend.”
Spencer stopped walking.
“You want to have dinner with me?”
