‘Because most churches are dark and sheltered and cool inside. Plus, it’s a cultural experience. This would just be physical hell.’
‘You don’t know that.’
‘Kate … do I need to remind you of the last yoga class we took together?’ Olivia knew full well that any mention of said experience was banned by Kate due to the unfortunate incident when she ripped her leggings whilst not wearing any underwear, during a rather overambitious splits attempt.
‘No, you don’t need to remind me, as the shame will be imprinted on my memory until the second I take my last breath. But didn’t your friend say it wasn’t that type of class?’
‘She’s not my friend.’
‘Well, if you actually made an effort and went to class, maybe she could become one.’
‘Urgh, why are you so insistent on this?’
Kate’s face, which had been scrunched up so tightly sheresembled a ball of freckled paper, suddenly softened. ‘Because I don’t want you to spend all your time looking around boring monuments by yourself. It’s your final two weeks! Go have some fun.’
Perhaps it was the sombre look on her friend’s face, or the truth of her words landing heavily on her heart, but Olivia felt her resolve begin to shake.
‘I don’t think putting your legs behind your head is technically classed as fun,’ she sniffed, ‘but maybe I’ll go and have a look at the studio, see what the vibe is.’
‘What thevibeis, hey? Look at you with all your traveller lingo.’
‘Shut up.’
‘That Jacob must be rubbing off on you.’
The mention of his name was unexpected, and Olivia bit down hard on her tongue to stop herself from reacting.
‘Are you two still talking?’ Kate took her moment of silence to poke a little deeper.
‘Erm, a bit.’
‘What does that mean?’
‘We’ve emailed back and forth but, you know, I’ve been busy so it’s a little quieter than before.’
Quieter? Try radio bloody silence.
‘I see, and are you OK with that?’
‘Why wouldn’t I be?’
‘I don’t know, I’m only checking.’
‘Well, I’m fine.’ She grimaced, praying her tone was enough to make Kate well and truly back off. ‘Now … how are things with you? You never tell me anything any more.’
Olivia saw the smallest flicker of something pass across Kate’s face, but before she could catch and assess it, it disappeared.
‘Because there’s nothing to tell! Everything is same old, same old this side.’
‘Work?’
‘Same boring as ever, looking for a new job as we speak.’
‘Family?’
‘Boring as ever, looking for a new one as we speak.’ She winked, the lightness returning to her expression.
‘Dating life?’ Olivia continued, noticing the same flicker of emotion flash across her friend’s face.
