Free Love: Classified by Sally-Ann Jones Page A

them.”
         “Is she keen on one?” he asked mischievously.
         “She won’t tell me. All I know is, she’s too wrapped up in her work. It’s her world.”
         “Well I hope to change that,” he said.
         “Yeah, we’re going to be fellow travellers,” I said, amused at the way Josie failed to hide her astonishment. “We’re driving off tomorrow in his van, for goodness knows how long.”
         A hand flew to Josie’s mouth.
         “Don’t worry,” Magnus said, “We’re only going to be gypsies for a little while.” He’d been reading the medical notes at the foot of her bed and slipped them back into their folder. “After an adventure or two, I’ll bring her back to you safe and sound. Promise.”
         “You do seem like a nice chap,” Josie mused.
         “He had a willy wagtail eating out of his hand at breakfast,” I said.
         “We’re off in an old van called Matilda,” he said.
         “An old van?” Josie was alarmed. “I hope you won’t break down anywhere and run out of drinking water. Australia’s a hot, dry place, you know.”
         “I think we’ll be right,” he assured her. “I’ll make sure we take plenty of water. And as for any engine trouble, I used to help my Dad with the farm vehicles when I was a kid and I’ve done a crash course in mechanics, just in case. I might need Virginia’s help if we get a puncture, though.”
         Josie laughed. “What fun! How I’d love to be your age again.”
         “You’re young at heart, and that’s what counts,” he said.
         She nodded. “It’s frustrating, though, when your brain wants very badly to do something juvenile and your poor old body lets you down.”
         “I can understand that,” he replied, patting her hand. “But I’m sure Virginia will send you postcards, so you can see all the places we visit.”
         “Oh I hope so! You make sure she does, Magnus. Ginny’s like a daughter to Jake and me. It must be fifteen years ago since she moved into our street, having just lost her parents in a car accident. It’s as if fate brought us together. Jake and I were never lucky enough to have children of our own.”
         “I’ll look after her,” he promised.
         “I reckon you could do with a little TLC yourself,” she commented. “You’re in good hands with Ginny, let me tell you.”
         “Why do you think Magnus needs tender loving care?” I asked, intrigued. He looked in the peak of health to me , apart from a few times when his voice had gone scratchy. Was he suffering from a mysterious malady? Was this what this holiday was about – a final splash before cancer or some horrible disease claimed him? For the second time in the morning, I had to surreptitiously wipe away tears.
        “I can always read what’s in people’s eyes,” Josie answered enigmatically.
     
    Driving back to my place, Magnus said, “They’re lucky, aren’t they, Josie and Jake?”
         “Do you mean beca use they’re still happily married after nearly sixty years?”
         He nodded. “That’s exactly what I mean.” Then he was silent for a while, seeming to concentrate on the road. “I’d like to explain about what you saw at the gallery, Virginia.”
         “You’re going to give me a lecture on the Impressionists?”
         His full-lipped mouth jerked into a grin. “You know what I mean.”
         “There’s no need. Really.” I didn’t want to know about his wife and child. If he was planning on spending time with me, for whatever reason, then let him. The wife could have any man she wanted, with her looks.
         “There is for me ,” he pressed. “I don’t want you to think I’m the kind of bloke who’d let you down. If you understood what I was doing there, you’d look at me differently.”
         “I’m listening.”
         “I can’t talk about this while I’m