‘Thanks,’ she said and walked out of the room.
‘My pleasure,’ he replied in a deliberately calm tone.
She gave him a sharp look over her shoulder, clearly unsure whether he was taking the piss. With laden arms, he followed her down the two flights of stairs.
The taxi driver was on his phone and having a cigarette, leaning against the driver’s-side door, and didn’t so much as look up when Anna put the first load in the boot of the car.
By the time she’d finished loading up, most of the back seat was full. She slammed the door and made her way round to the passenger seat at the front.
‘Right,’ she said, her body suddenly stiff with awkwardness.
Leo swallowed hard, regret twisting his gut. It was what she wanted and he had to respect her for that – but when would he see her again?
‘Are you going to be all right at the other end?’ he asked, looking at the packed car.
‘Yes,’ said Anna but he saw the quick flash of uncertainty in her eyes.
He knew that slightly shifty look. Narrowing his eyes, he studied her. ‘You’re on the top floor.’
Her mouth dropped open. ‘How did you know? Not the top but the twelfth.’
‘Good guess.’
She opened her mouth and he held up a hand to stop her, fuelled by determination. ‘I know you’re quite capable. But at least admit we can be friends and friends help each other.’
He could see the hesitation wavering in her face before she turned and looked at the back seat of the taxi. ‘There’s no room.’
‘Yeah, there is. Room for a little one. Come on, I’ll go in the back.’
* * *
From his squashed position in the back of the car, Leo surveyed the tall blocks of flats as they wound their way through the huge residential estate. It was very different from where they’d come from. Admittedly everything looked very clean and tidy but the uniform, functional square buildings felt a little austere and soulless. There were attractive green spaces and walkways but it felt to him like a university campus. They pulled up outside one of the more faded blocks. The taxi driver was keen to be off and this time willingly helped them unload, dumping everything on the pavement outside the front door. As soon as the last bag was out of the car, he jumped back in and drove off, leaving Anna surrounded by her belongings, and making Leo very glad he’d come.
‘Want me to wait here while you go and investigate?’ he asked.
‘Thanks,’ she said with a nod and went into the building.
A minute later she returned, her mouth turned down in the picture of disillusionment. ‘Guess what? The lift is out of action.’
‘Ouch,’ said Leo, wincing. That was a lot of stairs to climb.
‘Well done,’ she said with a touch of sarcasm.
Leo gave her a wary glance, instinctively knowing he was in trouble but not why. ‘What?’
‘For not saying, “I told you so.”’
‘I know.’ He beamed at her. ‘I’m rather proud of that.’
She rolled her eyes but he could see the slight curve of her lips.
‘Come on, let’s get this stuff off the pavement and inside. Then, Sherpa Tensing, we can make the first assault on our ascent.’
‘And how come you’re Sir Edmund Hillary.’
He grinned. ‘I just am.’
Her fledgling smile bloomed and, as if the starch had been removed, she softened and put out a hand to touch his arm. ‘Trust you to find the lighter side. Thanks, Leo.’
