Katie switched off her mobile phone, as a sign in the waiting room requested all patients to do so, and placed her newly bought second hand copy of Great expectations on her lap. She smoothed the corners flat, turned the book and read the blurb at the back. Pip, what a funny name. Her GP called her and she gathered her belongings and, breathless, followed him into his office.

“I’ve got good news for you. Your liver is fine,” he said.

“Is it?” Katie smiled.

“Yes, it is. However, your urine test shows traces of trichomoniasis.”

“What is it? Is it serious?”

“It is an STD. We can treat it with antibiotics.”

“I’ve never heard of it before.”

“It’s not rare but most carriers aren’t aware they have it.”

Katie crossed her legs. “Like me before then.”

“Yes. Have you had any sexual partner recently?”

“I’m seeing someone at the moment, yes.”

“You will have to let him know so he can get himself treated too.”

“Her.”

“Her? You will have to let her know, as well as any other sexual partner you’ve had during the last three months.”

“Oh dear, how embarrassing.” Katie smiled and coughed.

“There is nothing to be ashamed of but it’s important for them to know so they can get tested and given antibiotics if necessary.”

After leaving the surgery, Katie sat down for a cup of tea at Jungle Café. Her hands shook a little as she poured sugar into her mug and she gazed at her toasts without touching them.

***

Katie broke the news of the STD to Helena over lunch at Caravaggio. Helena adored Italian food and Katie relied on her satisfied stomach to alleviate the shock. It worked. Helena didn’t blame Katie in any way, nor did she express anger or regret. Instead, she requested they modified their sexual practices. Katie’s long term belief that lesbians were immune to such diseases had been shattered and she agreed to using dental dams in the future.

Helena’s easy going approach to the whole issue encouraged Katie to get hold of Beth and she phoned Fiona.

“I think you should forget about her,” Fiona said.

“I have to talk to her. I wish I didn’t but I have to.”

“Why? She’s all set up with her boyfriend, you won’t get anywhere with her.”

“There’s something I have to tell her.” Katie held her hand over her mouth.

“You’re sounding all mysterious.”

“It’s a little embarrassing.”

“You know you can tell me everything.”

Katie turned to the window, hiding her face from her fellow bus passengers. “I’ve caught trichomoniasis.”

“Oh fuck. Yes, I have her home number.”

Katie contacted Beth straight away. At two thirteen in the afternoon, she expected an answering machine. She could explain she needed to talk and leave her contact details. No embarrassment.

“Hello? Who’s there?” A man asked. He sounded sleepy.

“Am I disturbing you? I’m so sorry. Is Beth around?”

“She’s at work. Can I help at all?”

“My name is Katie and I’m a friend-”

“I know who you are. What do you want?”

Katie flicked a hair off her tee-shirt. “I need to talk to Beth.”

“What is it? I’ll tell her.”

“I can’t tell you, I need to tell her. Can you tell her I’ve called?”

“No.”

Katie ignored the laugh of the woman next to her and lowered her voice. “Please.”

“I really have no time for you, going around stealing other people’s girlfriends.”

“For the record, she only told me about you the morning after.”

“The morning after? She told me she stayed at Fiona’s.”

Beth’s jealous boyfriend compromised the reasoning behind warning Beth. Potentially, this could affect him but he wouldn’t deal with this possibility very well. Health versus jealousy. Was trichomoniasis enough of a threat to jeopardise their relationship? While Katie explored through different avenues in her head, she received a text from Fiona asking her how it went.

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