Page 54 of The Stranger

There’s so much to unpack with that statement, starting with“Your type of people”, but I let it slide for now. I’m not sure she meant it to sound as judgemental as it did. “Even street workers are governed by the law to use protection.”

“You sound like you’re speaking from experience.”

“I’ve never had to pay for sex in my life, Delilah … nor would I.”

“I guess.”

“You guess?”

“I witnessed how gaga my sister was after interning at your company … you probably have women throwing vaginas at you wherever you go.”

I roll my lips to hide my amusement. “That’s an interesting metaphor, but I’m happy to report I’ve never been hit by aflying vagina.” I dart my upper body to the left, then right. “I have good reflexes, despite my age.”

A sweet grin tugs at her pouty lips. “Not bad for an old guy.”

“Enough of the old,” I grumble. “Are you going to tell Abigail to get tested?”

She lifts one shoulder. “I don’t know … maybe.”

“You realise he’s cheating on her as well?”

“Yeah, I read everything in the folder you gave me. He’s such a piece of shit,” she mumbles.

“I could think of a few more choice words to call him.”

“Same,” she says. “Like a C U Next Tuesday.”

I bark out a laugh. “Despite those cutesy, little girl pyjamas you’re wearing, I know for a fact that you’re a grown-arse woman, Delilah, you can say, cunt.”

She screws up her face. “I’m not a fan of that word, and don’t be hating on my bunnies. These pyjamas are comfy and warm.”

On her, they are adorable, but I keep that observation to myself.

“It’s not my favourite word either, but sometimes it’s fitting. Do you want to talk about what happened today?”

She shrugs again. “I don’t have any results yet … I should get some back tomorrow, or the day after. The others take time. It makes me feel sick to my stomach. Walking into that clinic was one of the most humiliating moments of my life.”

“It’s common for people to get tested, Delilah.”

“Have you ever had to do that?”

“I’ve neverhadto … I chose to. For the protection of myself and others.”

“That’s sweet of you,” she says, picking up her forkand pushing the food around her plate. “It’s a shame Kayne doesn’t have the same respect for others.”

“I think he’s too selfish and self-absorbed to see the error of his ways. Or he simply doesn’t care.”

“I did some research on sexually transmitted diseases last night … did you know that some can make a person sterile? God, I’m not sure what I’ll do if that happens. I’ve always wanted to have a family of my own one day.”

“Delilah,” I say, squeezing her hand. “Don’t get ahead of yourself. You are more than likely worrying unnecessarily.”

“I hope you’re right, but the unknown scares me.”

“Would you like me to make an appointment for you to see my doctor? He’s one of the best in the business.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I paid for comprehensive testing. There probably isn’t much more he could do.”

“How much did the testing cost you?”