‘From what I can see, it’s real all right.’
‘I can’t go to India.’
‘Why not?’
‘Because I can’t! It’s crazy.’ The ringing in her ears grew louder and her stomach churned ominously. ‘Why would she do this to me?Howdid she even do this? Surely she knew how much I’d hate this! I have nevereverin my life wanted to go travelling.’
‘You know, sometimes change is good. India is meant to be incredible.’
‘So is climbing Mount Everest, but you don’t see me signing up for that, do you?’
But Olivia knew Kate wasn’t listening to her protests; she had that fantastical far-off look on her face whenever she was excited. And once Kate was in dreamland, it was extremely hard to bring her back down to earth.
‘Ooh, maybe you could have a littleEat Pray Lovemoment?’
‘An eat pray what?’
‘Youknow, the Julia Roberts film, where she leaves everything behind and travels the world. You could be like her.’
‘Don’t you dare say it.’
‘You couldfind yourself. Like Julia did!’
‘The only thing I need to find is a way out of this stupid situation.’
‘Why? You said it yourself: you didn’t know how to fill your time off. This is it! It couldn’t be more perfect.’
‘Look, if you think it’s such a great idea, why don’t you take the ticket instead? I’m sure you can transfer the name or something. Especially if we explain the circumstances.’
Kate raised an eyebrow. ‘You know full well I am not going to do that. This is for you. It was clearly important to Leah that you did this.’
‘I know that. Don’t you think I know that?’ Olivia hissed. ‘Urgh, how could Leah have been so stupid? She must have used half of her savings on this. It must have cost her a fortune!’
‘I wonder who helped her book it,’ Kate mused. ‘Could she have done it all by herself?’
‘Oh my god.’
Realization slapped Olivia hard in the face.
‘I am going tokillKyle when I next see him! I wondered why he was so obsessed with me opening the stupid letter. He was honestly harassing me over it! Why would Leah trusthimwith doing this? Nobody trusts Kyle with anything.’
‘That’s probably the exact reason. He could arrange the whole thing undetected because you all underestimate him.’
Guilt spiked in Olivia’s chest.
‘That’s not entirely true.’
‘Isn’t it?’ Kate looked at her knowingly.
‘Regardless of whether or not it’s true, it doesn’t matter. Because either way, I’m not going.’ She folded her arms decisively. ‘There is no way inhellI am going to India.’
Olivia
‘I can’t believe you’re going to India!’ Kate took her hands off the steering wheel and clapped them together. ‘This is so exciting. Are you excited?’
Olivia felt her stomach lurch as they turned off the motorway and followed the signs to the airport.
‘Mmmm,’ she mumbled, tightening her grip on her rucksack, which sat heavy on her lap.
