‘Don’t even go there.’ She sighed, her eyes everywhere but on Olivia’s face. ‘We don’t need to depress ourselves with that subject.’
‘Hmm, if you’re sure.’
‘I am.’ Kate nodded, closing down any further questioning. ‘Now, I have to finish my lunch and get back to work. But promise me you’ll go and check out the yoga tomorrow? I want a full report on thevibe, please.’
‘If you don’t stop making fun of me, you’ll get nothing!’
‘Hey, you know it’s only because I love you.’
Olivia hesitated, touching a finger to the screen. ‘I love you too.’
Olivia
The yoga studio wasn’t too hard to find. Although she wasn’t quite sure the wordstudiowas the correct term for what she found, tucked away in the sheltered crop of palm trees. In front of a big welcome sign sat a rustic wooden platform, constructed on small stilts. It had no solid walls, only swathes of coloured material that hung partially draped around the outside. It was a nice touch aesthetically, but in practice it meant that Olivia’s woeful incompetence would not only be seen by the class, but also any passing stranger that cared to watch.
Immediately she wanted to run.
‘Hey!’ a familiar, soulful voice called out.
Could she run?
‘Hey, Olivia!’
No, it was too late. She was trapped.
Cece had spotted her and was now weaving her way across the platform towards Olivia, stepping gracefully in between a dozen or so mats that had been neatly lined up in rows. Nearly every one of them was occupied with a studentpoised and ready for action, like obedient puppies. Olivia’s heart sank when she saw two vacant mats near the front.
‘I’m so glad you made it.’ Cece pulled one of the flimsy pieces of cloth aside and poked her head out. ‘Come in, we’re just about to begin.’
‘Are you sure? I’m not too late?’
A pathetic final attempt to escape.
‘Of course not. Just leave your shoes there and grab any mat that’s free.’
Olivia kicked off her sandals and placed them neatly alongside the other pairs lined up outside, a mixture of worn-out espadrilles, cheap and cheerful flip-flops and sand-smeared trainers. From the footwear, at least, it looked like there would be a mixture of people in the class, offering Olivia only the smallest slice of relief as the anxiety began to spike in her chest.
‘Right, everyone.’ Cece disappeared inside, her voice loud and low, rumbling through the space. ‘Let’s get started.’
Olivia scrambled up the stairs and made her way towards one of the free mats, avoiding making eye contact with any of the other students.
‘This morning’s class is going to get a bit fiery. I want you to stay open-minded and receptive to whatever comes up. Because whatever comes up …’
‘Is asking to come out!’ the room replied in unison.
‘Exactly!’ Cece beamed proudly as Olivia’s heart sank to the floor. Everyone seemed far too awake and far too keen for a 7 a.m. yoga class. Her mood sat like an unwanted black cloud amongst a sea of sunshine smiles.
‘Now, if everyone could start by closing their eyes, we are going to begin with some breathing exercises …’
Olivia shuffled on her mat, crossing and uncrossing herlegs in an attempt to find a comfortable seat. Breathing was OK. She could do breathing.
‘When you’re ready, let’s all take a nice big deep inhale together …’ Cece instructed.
The whole room sucked in air like a vacuum.
‘And now exhale …’
The group sighed out in a collective groan.
