Olivia felt the emotion begin to overwhelm her, the fire inside alchemizing into an ocean of tears.
‘Olivia?’ Kate looked at her. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘I … it’s all just … I don’t …’ Olivia’s bottom lip began to tremble.
‘Hey.’ Her friend pulled her into a hug and steered her away from the crowd. ‘It’s OK.’
‘It’s not though.’ Olivia’s defences finally broke, thepressure too much, the exhaustion too draining, the pain in her heart too crippling. ‘It’s not OK,’ she sobbed into Kate’s shoulder.
‘Oh, my love, let’s get you home. You’re probably exhausted.’
Olivia nodded feebly, gingerly wiping her face with the sleeve of her top. Shewasexhausted – on every possible level – but the feel of her friend was enough to calm her racing thoughts and settle the turbulence in her chest.
‘OK.’ Olivia took a long, deep inhale. ‘I’m OK.’
‘Good.’ Kate held her out in front of her. ‘And you may look totally wiped, but at least you’re tanned!’
Olivia couldn’t help but laugh, as Kate lifted her arm into the air for inspection.
‘It’s more freckles than tan, but I’ll take it.’
‘I would.’ She took the rucksack from Olivia’s hands and slung it over her own back. ‘Now let’s get you home, shall we?’
‘Please.’
Kate and Olivia made their way back towards where Kyle was standing. ‘Just to let you know, your brother has been banging on about getting a McDonald’s for the past hour. Do you fancy one?’
‘No.’ Olivia’s stomach writhed in protest. ‘But he won’t shut up unless we get him one, so we might as well go.’
‘Yeah, tell me about it, he’s totally obsessed with the stuff. I don’t know where he puts it.’
Olivia hesitated – something about Kate’s words sent alarm bells ringing in her brain – but she was too tired and far too full of her own turmoil to fully register the meaning.
‘Little Sis!’ Kyle held his arms out wide as they reached him. ‘Welcome home.’
‘Thanks.’ She managed a watery smile.
‘Everything all right? You look a little …’
‘Tired. I’m just tired.’
‘Well then, I tell you what you need. A good old Maccy D’s! That will get you energized again. Here, let me take that.’ He took the backpack from Kate, an indiscernible look passing between them. Why were they being so weird around each other? Before Olivia had a chance to question it, Kate pulled her close.
‘It’s good to have you back.’ She slipped her hand into Olivia’s. It was soft and warm and felt like home. ‘I’ve missed you.’
‘I’ve missed you too.’ Olivia squeezed her friend gently and smiled. ‘Now please,pleasecan we get out of this place?’
‘As you wish, my love.’ The three of them began to walk towards the exit. ‘As you wish.’
*
Three hours and an order of two Big Mac Meals later, Olivia was so far past tired she felt catatonic. She lay on the sofa as Kyle and Kate flapped around her, shooting each other knowing looks, and giving each other tender and not so subtle touches of reassurance. It had taken Olivia a while, but finally she’d worked it out. The alarm bells had been going off for a reason.
‘Right, I’d better be heading home.’ Kyle stood, dusting the burger bun crumbs from his jeans. ‘I have work later.’ A lingering look at Kate. ‘Liv, are you sure you don’t want the rest of these?’ He held up a half-eaten, soggy packet of chips.
‘No, I’m good. You take them.’
‘Great. Well, I’ll see you at Mum and Dad’s next weekend, all right?’
