RE: 3 more days
DATE: 10 June
Only three more days to go. Whichis a fucking bitch because I don’t know when you’ll get internet back or have any reception. I heard that you were near the Himalayas which I bet is pretty spectacular. I think I’ll be counting down the hours soon until I can get home and see you. It’s like some form of medieval torture.
Ava’s been round the farmhouse and the cottages and she’s given me a price for the renovations. Dad’s closing in on the deal now the searches have come back so things should be fairly rapid now, or as much as they can be with lawyers being involved. How do you feel about coming out to my parents the weekend after we get back and you can look round and see the building we can use as a vet practice for small animals? I have another vet lined up – Ronnie Kennedy. He’s returning in a couple of months from working in Australia on a research project out there so a temporary six-month contract would suit him.
I’ve given the zoo notice and spoke to Terry. I’m going to stay on as a consultant when they need a big cat specialist or for stuff abroad on their projects, so if you don’t want to join me at Roselea Farm, there will be a full-time position there.
I really want you at the farm. Just thought I’d make that clear.
Three more days. Then we’re on our way home.
Love,Callum xx
My chest ached.We’d woken up just outside New Delhi, where we were due to film at a local vets’ before we headed back to England. Three weeks had been too long. I missed Callum more than I thought I would, more than I thought was possible. There were a few more emails from him, one telling me about a conversation he’d had with his dad. They’d discussed the farm and other potential revenue that could be brought in. Callum had mentioned how it had given them something to talk about instead of the past and he sounded positive. He’d also told me about Seph’s new girlfriend who was a model but not one with many brains as she’d apparently asked Owen if a duck was a fish.
I scrolled further down, a list of about forty unread emails cluttering my inbox, most of them announcing a sale in some shop. Then a name stood out.
Jonah Lewis.
The boy that had loved both of us.
My first lover. First love.
I opened the email, burying into the car seats a little more. We’d opted to travel through the night, anything to hurry up this leg of the journey. Jaime was pregnant and morning sickness wasn’t her friend. I was tired hadn’t managed to properly eat for over a week, the heat not agreeing with me.
And now this.
FROM:[email protected]
RE: Hi
DATE: 11 June
Hi Wren,
I knowthis is a little out of the blue, but I saw an article about the program you’re filming and then looked you and Callum up. I saw some of the photos of you and him and wanted to say congratulations. You look really good together.
I’m married now, in case you didn’t know. We’re looking at adopting a baby which Paul – my partner – is really excited about. I’m still a vet and Paul is a programmer. We met when he brought his dog in for a check-up.
Hope you’re okay. It would be lovely to meet sometime and see you in the flesh.
Jonah.
I lockedmy phone and stared out at of the window at the passing scenery. I didn’t want to see Jonah. He was in my past and the thought of seeing him brought up too many memories and feelings that rocked me and made me want to run. I’d trusted him, believed in him and he wasn’t what he’d told me. Or maybe he was and he changed.
Maybe Callum would change.
“You ever wonder whether you ever really know someone?” I said to Jaime who was watching me curiously. She hadn’t been sick yet since she’d woken up, although she still looked pale.
“I don’t think you ever do.”
“How do you know how to trust someone?”
We were passing through a village, lush greens and heavy rains around us. The car slowed as a cow wandered across the road.
