Olivia stared at the bowl of banana.
Is that what you wanted for me, Leah?
Is that why you sent me here?
‘So I came here, and guess what, it’s worked a treat!’
Olivia eyed Tracey as she slurped loudly on her tea. This woman, for all her rough edges and brash swagger, was just as wounded as she was.
Grief, it seemed, spared no one.
‘But weren’t you nervous? About coming out here on your own?’ Olivia asked.
‘Too right I bloody was. Weren’t you?’
‘I don’t think I’ve been anythingbutnervous since I arrived here.’ The honesty tasted refreshing on Olivia’s lips.
‘Don’t blame you, kid, but I thought you young’uns were meant to be resilient and up for adventure. An old bag like me can’t stand it if I have to change my washing powder, let alone countries. But the change has been good – kicked me right up the arse, so to speak.’
‘It’s impressive. I can’t imagine my mum getting on a train to Liverpool, let alone a plane to India.’
‘Ah, you say that, but I bet she’s a dark horse at heart.’
‘Hmm. You don’t know my mother.’
The weeping, fearful, closed-off woman Olivia had grown up with sprung to life in her mind’s eye, followed swiftly by the echoing words of her brother.
You’re too hard on Mum and Dad.
‘No, I don’t know her, but I reckon’ – Tracey leant in closer – ‘if she raised a daughter like you, she can’t be anything less than a firecracker.’
Appreciation and, dare Olivia say it, affection began to unfurl at the compliment. She noted how much lighter her heart felt, and how soothed her soul was from the afternoon with Tracey. Yes, she was still audacious and brazen, and she wore the most horrific combination of clothing that Olivia had ever seen, but her heart was bigger than all of that, and Olivia felt a tide of gratitude swell in her chest for her new friend.
‘Thank you. Your girls are lucky to have you.’
‘You see, that’s what I’ve been telling them all for years,but they never listen!’ Tracey threw her head back, letting out an almighty laugh. ‘I’m glad at least someone appreciates my efforts.’
‘I really do,’ she replied earnestly. ‘I didn’t realize how much I needed today, but it’s been lovely, so thank you.’
The edges of Tracey’s cheeks blushed. ‘Ah, get away with you, kid. It was the least I could do.’ She cocked her head and focused her gaze even more intensely on Olivia. ‘You see, I’ve learnt that it’s usually the ones that never ask for help who need it the most. The ones always giving, who need a little giving back to. The ones who are always fine’ – she gave a sly smile – ‘that are often those most in need of the TWC. Do you know what I mean?’
‘Yeah …’ Olivia felt her heart twist in angst and her eyes prickle with tears. ‘Yeah, I think I do.’
‘Good, because we have to get you fighting fit for the rest of your trip, don’t we?’
Olivia’s eyes found the large, bound itinerary on her bedside. A flicker of panic. A knot in her throat. There was still so much todo.
‘I think I’m going to need all the strength I can get.’
‘Remind me, what’s on the agenda?’
‘Two more days here and then I go to Jodhpur.’
‘And remind me, where to after that?’
Olivia brought to mind the map of her trip. ‘Udaipur, Hyderabad, Mumbai, then Goa.’
‘Jeez, that’s an action-packed schedule. You’re going to get back to the UK more tired than when you left. At least you have some time down south to relax at the end.’
