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‘Well, we know we don’t have everything right. That’s what makes us work to make the designs better. But you definitely don’t have things all wrong, Ben.’
‘She said that no one wants things to be too complicated because then they go wrong. And we’ve had to make a simpler one for Anya as well...’
‘That’s not because there’s anything wrong with the myolectric arm. It’s the one that both Alistair and I want her to have, we just have to work up to it a bit.’
‘She says she’s worked with a lot of different people and she knows just what they want.’
‘Well, so have you. You work with Anya.’
Ben gave a shrug. ‘Anya’s a very cool kid.’
‘Yes, I think so too. And I’m glad that’s the first thing you see about her, because that’s helping you to design a limb that’s going to suit her. That’s what this is all about, Ben, making limbs that suit individuals and you’re doing a great job with Anya.’
‘You think so?’
Ben was a genius, but sometimes he didn’t have any common sense. And his fascination with the way things worked didn’t extend to what made people tick.
‘Look, Ben. Did it occur to you that that woman might be feeling that...? Well, she’s obviously worked hard and is proud of what she’s done. But she might feel that other people have done a bit better than her and instead of trying to learn from them, she’s putting them down.’
Ben thought for a moment. ‘No. That didn’t occur to me.’
The rhetorical question had obviously been a mistake. Raina tried a more direct approach.
Leaning forward, she caught his gaze. ‘Don’t give up on me, Ben. My cool kid needs a hand, and I’m not going to settle for second best. I want you to make her one.’
‘You mean you want Alistair to.’ Ben’s flashes of honesty were often a bit too honest.
‘Alistair knows what Anya’s medical needs are, but he can’t make her a prosthetic. I’m relying on you, Ben, don’t let her down. If you do, I’m going to have to have words with you.’
Ben smiled suddenly. ‘I won’t.’
‘Good. Thank you.’ Raina nodded towards the group of parents, who’d migrated as one over to the coffee area and were sitting alone, talking. ‘We should show them around a bit, and explain what the other projects are doing.’
Ben hesitated. ‘What, and let them talk to that woman?’ He obviously considered that a return to the lion’s den.
‘Well, I dare say they’ll want to see everything. But if she starts with any of the things she said to you, then I’ve got a few answers for her.’
Ben looked at her with undisguised admiration. ‘You do?’
‘Yes, of course I do. And I know for sure that the other parents will back me up.’ Raina started to walk across to the group, and realised that Ben hadn’t moved. ‘Are you coming, then?’
He grinned suddenly. ‘Yes. I’m coming.’
* * *
One of the things about adjusting to partial deafness was that things became a little more unpredictable. Someone could stand next to him and he wouldn’t hear a word they were saying. But sometimes he could catch something from across a crowded room...
Looking at Raina’s lips had never been something that Alistair tired of doing. And when he saw her talking to Ben, and her lips formed the shape of his name, warmth had flooded his veins. It was pleasure mixed with pain and regret, because he’d never again be with her in the cool of the night as she whispered his name.
It was probably nothing, a chance comment about work, but he still couldn’t get it out of his head. He’d joined the group of parents who were looking around the exhibits, but their questions gave him no chance to speak to Raina. As he dressed for the evening cocktail part
y, slipping a white shirt over his shoulders, he could almost feel her touch.
The party had already got started, and Gabriel was circulating determinedly. It was a warm night and the glass separating the party space from the central garden had been drawn back. Alistair jumped as he felt a touch on his arm, and a voice said something.
‘It’s lovely, isn’t it.’ Raina repeated herself without his having to ask, nodding towards the lights that were beginning to reflect on the water outside.
‘Yes.’
