‘If you are referring to Jacob then no, I haven’t heard from him. Why would I? He’s all the way in Delhi.’
‘That’s a shame.’
‘Is it?’ Her attempt at nonchalance was pitiful, but thankfully Kate was too absorbed in her flurry of activity to notice. Sometimes her friend’s inability to multitask was a godsend.
‘Don’t worry, I reckon you’ll see him again.’
‘Really?’
‘Yes!’
‘Why?’
‘Comeon. What are the chances that you run into someonetwicein a place like Delhi? That’s not coincidence. That’s …’
‘Don’t you dare. Whatever you’re about to say, don’t!’
‘Fate!’ She grinned. ‘It must be.’
The irony of her statement was not lost on Olivia, who could picture Jacob now, having a field day listening to Kate.
‘Right, well, when you have something more concrete than a mystical power governing everybody on earth’s movements to back up your argument, then please let me know. Until then, let’s agree to disagree.’
‘Hmm, luckily for you, I have to go, otherwise I would have made you stay and argue with me.’
‘What ashame. Where are you off to? A hot date?’
If Olivia had blinked at that very moment, she might have missed the flicker of fear passing over Kate’s face. Within half a second it had vanished, but it was too late; Olivia had spotted it.
‘Youare, aren’t you!’ She gasped, wishing she could reach through the screen and shake her friend into honesty.
‘No!’
‘I can tell you’re lying, Kate. Who are you meeting?’
‘No one! It’s a work thing. Forced fun and free drinks, you know the drill.’
‘Hmm.’ Olivia narrowed her eyes, looking for any more tell-tale signs of deceit in her friend’s face. ‘I think you have a crush on someone going.’
‘And you’re entitled to think what you like, but you’re wrong.’
‘I’m never wrong. Surely you must know that by now.’
Kate threw her head back and laughed, her mane of ginger hair rippling from the force. ‘You’re an idiot sometimes.’
‘As are you.’
‘But I love you all the more for it.’ Kate brought the screen close to her face and blew Olivia a huge kiss. ‘Now, I miss you. Stay safe. And I’ll speak to you soon, OK?’
‘OK, see you later!’
Olivia hung up the phone and closed her eyes. Just like that, she was alone again.
The silence always felt more profound after a phone call with Kate, who, despite being thousands of miles away, always managed to make her feel like she was sitting right next to her. What Olivia wouldn’t give for that to be true right now. For her friend to be by her side in India. She could imagine the pair of them holed up in their homestay, stuffing bags of crisps into their mouths whilst Kate sampled everylocal sweet treat she could get her hands on. If anyone was going to be able to tackle India head-on, it would be Kate. Why hadn’t she come with her? Leah wouldn’t have minded. Leah loved Kate. Why did she have to do this all by herself? Why did she have to doeverythingby herself?
Olivia gripped her phone tighter, knowing the promise she’d made not to check again for another day. To not even think about going near her inbox for at least twenty-four hours. Before she knew it, she was opening her emails and watching as the messages loaded.
One after the other after the other until …
