I told her that, as a brain surgeon, I couldn’t give a shit about her bowel movements although the Trust management clearly considered it a matter of deep importance. We laughed together for a long time. When we had first met, her eyes were dull with pain-killing drugs and if she tried to talk her face would contort with agonizing pain. I thought how radiantly beautiful she now looked. She stood up to leave and went to the door but then came back and kissed me. ‘I hope I never see you again,’ she said. ‘I quite understand,’ I replied.
