The photo you sent of the four of you at Pride is sensational. It brought the biggest smile to my face! I almost wish I was left imagining you as the spotty-facial-haired, rainbow-suspenders-wearing kid. But the other photo of you isn’t half bad either. You should put it on the clinic’s website! Nothing quite says “a doctor you can trust” like a dimpled man wearing a wool sweater.
I do have a sibling, Phoebe. I don’t typically divulge this so soon after ‘meeting’ someone, but she and I are twins. We’re close, but she lives in Montreal now with her husband and my nephew, which is about a six-hour drive from Toronto. Have you ever visited Montreal? Or any part of Canada?
I will say in defence of your brother, I love redheads. My cousin, Madison, is a redhead and she’s just inherently cooler because of it, I think. For that and other reasons, Graham has our blessing to begin drafting his article.
Sincerely,
Georgia
From: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Time Capsule Belonging to Martha Bennett
Date: February 16, 2025
Hello Georgia,
I don’t mean to speak out of turn, but I feel compelled to say that while your grandmother may have had her reasons for not wanting to share this part of herself until she passed, she clearly trusted you and knew you’d handle it well when the time came.
I know that I don’t know you very well, or, at all really, but from our interactions so far, I can absolutely understand why she would feel safe leaving you her letter. Before you question why I think that from our limited contact, consider that your digital footprint consists mostly of you fundraising and volunteering for various organisations and your equally entertaining and wholesome repost history on TikTok. So trust me when I say, you’re a good egg. Go easy on yourself.
Additionally, please don’t worry about being too ‘woo-woo’ with me. My sister, Lena, is the proud owner of Nottingham’s most popular metaphysical store and loves all things of that nature. She’s converted me in recent years to be less cynical, I’ll admit. I won’t bore you with the details, but I went through a pretty messy breakup a few years ago, and she really helped guide me through it. I still find myself checking my horoscope from time to time. I’m a Scorpio Sun, Libra Moon, and Scorpio Rising. How about you?
All of that to say, I’d like to believe that our grandmothers are somewhere catching up too. It’s a comforting thought.
I’ve heard Montreal is beautiful, but no I haven’t been to Canada yet. I’ve always wanted to, though. Especially now. Do you get to visit Phoebe often? My apologies for all of these questions, but why don’t you usually tell people you’re a twin? Are there some nasty twin stereotypes I’m not aware of?
I will let my brother know you approve of his article and share your fondness for redheads. I can truthfully say that reading your email was the first time in my life I’ve ever wanted to be ginger.
Sincerely,
Callum
P.S. Forgive one last question, but I’ve been wondering if it is still Miss Anderson, as your school’s website suggests? Or is it now, perhaps, Mrs Anderson?
Chapter Three: Georgia
MissorMrs.Anderson?” Phoebe’s giggle bubbles out through my laptop’s speaker, nipping at the end of her question. We’re video calling as I sit at my kitchen counter, marking Friday’s quizzes from my grade ten class. Phoebe is drinking a hefty glass of white wine and reviewing my emails with Callum. “Okay, so, this guy ismadlyin love with you,” she says dryly. “Should we go wedding dress shopping or?”
I laugh, looking up to the ceiling of my apartment before I write anothergreat workin red pen on yet another paper. “Yeah, I think so! It’s happening fast but—” I lick my lips before puckering them, staring off into space. “What do you think about a quintessential British, Anglican ceremony in his hometown and then a party here?”
We’re joking,obviously, but what is distinctlynotfunny are the butterflies that continue to do somersaults around my stomach whenever I get an email notification. It’s been a long time since I had a crush, which this isquicklyevolving into.
My university boyfriend, Kyle, was ... fine? Present and accounted for? He was often considerate and not terrible in bed. Kyle and I bonded over our love for the Victorian era anddeephatred of our comms class, but honestly, we didn’t have much else in common, and our love story fizzled out beforeteachers college. I’ve dated a few guys since, but no one that’s stuck. None of them looked like Callum. Nobodyactuallylooks like Callum, I’m sure. Callum can’t even look as good as he does in that photo he sent.
“He’s a doctor, G. He can afford two weddings,” Phoebe replies, smirking. “Send me the photos, I want to see these dimples you speak of!”
“Okay, but then you have to help me craft an equally charming reply.” I pick up my phone off the counter, forward the two photos Callum had sent along with his email, and keenly wait for Phoebe’s reaction.
She takes a long sip of wine, reaching for her phone as it chimes. Her eyes widen, and she sputters a cough, then sets her glass down on the table in front of her.
I smile boastfully, as if Callum’s good looks are something I ought to be proud of. “Yeah, I know. It’s ridiculous.”
“That’s one word for it.” She looks between her laptop and the phone in her hand. “He looks like a British Clark Kent!”
“I know . . .” I sigh.
