Free Love: Classified by Sally-Ann Jones

all the blood cells inside every part of him taking in that oxygen and…
         “Are you listening?” he grinned, as if he could read my thoughts. He’d poured fresh tea for us and a saucer of milk for Barney.
         I shook my head, still glowing.
         “I was saying we could drive around Western Australia for a while and see how we feel after that . We might want to head east or even overseas. Destination China. It’s a matter of how much we can afford, I suppose, both financially and time-wise”
         “And whether or not you’re sick of the sight of me,” I added, not meeting his eyes.      
         “Listen, Virginia ,” he said, firmly taking my hand. “Don’t put yourself down. It’s more likely you’ll get sick of me.” He swallowed and coughed. His voice was hoarse and I wondered again if he was coming down with something. “I’ve told you I find you extremely attractive,” he went on. “Not that I’m going to jump on you in the middle of the night. I’m a gentleman, despite appearances, and I want anything that happens between us to be mutual.”
         I felt an idiot for getting all teary and hoped he wouldn’t notice. I t was as if I was a character in a romance novel. I couldn’t believe this was happening to me. The surreal feeling continued when he said, “Let’s get these dishes done and then go and see Josie. After that we can load up with supplies from Jake’s shop, ready to take off in the morning. By the way, will he mind Barney?”
         “Yeah,” I said , glad of a dash of reality. “He’s great like that.”
         Magnus filled the sink and tossed me the tea-towel that hung on the oven handle. I couldn’t help but feel this guy was trying too hard.
         When we’d finished, I told him I’d pick some magnolias for Josie. Magnus, being so tall, could reach the most perfect blooms and after I’d tied them with silver ribbon we were off in Matilda, rattling across the city.
         The radio station was playing hits from the seventies and eighties and pretty soon we were screaming out the chorus es of “American Pie” and “Hey Jude”. By the time we reached the hospital carpark, we were onto “Yesterday”.
         I led the way to Josie’s ward, wondering if Magnus suffered the common phobia of hospitals. He suddenly went very quiet and pale. Luckily, at Josie’s bedside he relaxed. She was sitting up regally in her white bed, a cage over her injured leg. Her fluffy white hair was like a cloud around her face and her gnarled fingers held a Jean Plaidy novel.
         “ Ginny!” she cried like an excited girl when she looked up from her book on hearing our footsteps. “Here I am, blessing you for choosing me such a splendid story, and in you come, looking radiant,” she said, holding out her arms for a hug. “Hello, my darling girl.”
         “Hello Josie,” I said, aware that she was even more frail in my arms than a few days earlier. I could feel every bone. “How are you? We’re missing you. But Jake’s doing a great job all the same with the shop.”
         Josie chuckled. “Oh he’s enjoying himself. I think he likes not being bossed around for a change. And who’s this handsome chap?” She screwed up her eyes to bring the tall shape into focus. “Have you brought in another doctor for me? I must say I’m loving all the attention from the young medicos. Why are they always so good-looking?”
         “Oh no, Josie,” I said. “You remember Magnus from the other night ? He’s not a doctor. He’s a friend of mine.”
         “Hello Josie,” Magnus said, stepping forward and shaking her hand. “You look very well. Much better, in fact.”
         “I am, dear. Ah yes, now that you’re closer I remember you. Now tell me, since we didn’t have much time to get to know each other last time, are you one of those journalist fellows Virginia works with? She’s always talking about