Brianna’s words popped back into her head.That’s it? You just turn up with this letter and say “Hi, I’m Charlie Jones”?
Charlie glanced over her shoulder at Oliver. He looked so broken. Did anyone need a fresh start more than him? And if he were there, at the farm, becoming part of that community…then she wasn’t losing this chance altogether. She could live it vicariously. If she let Oliver take the opportunity instead, then she could ask him to tell hereverything, and that way when the time came, when she was finally ready, she’d be so much more prepared.
“I’ve got a crazy idea,” she said. “Hear me out, OK?”
From:Charlie Jones
To:Charlie Jones
Subject:Are you actually coming to Ormer???
Are you actually coming here, because if you are, we really need to get our story straight. I mean, you cannot tell everyone you’re called Charlie Jones. You know that, right?
PS Thank you. I left the pub. I went to the beach. It helped.
From:Charlie Jones
To:Charlie Jones
Subject:Re: Are you actually coming to Ormer???
Hello, queen of subterfuge here. You dated me for a year and it took you that long to realize I drank gin most mornings. I think I can handle hanging out with your new friends without giving the game away, Oliver.
PS Well done—I knew you would!!
From:Charlie Jones
To:Charlie Jones
Subject:Re: Are you actually coming to Ormer???
OK, so, also do not call me Oliver.
From:Charlie Jones
To:Charlie Jones
Subject:Re: Are you actually coming to Ormer???
LOL! Yes, of course! Starting now, I’m on it, JONES. Who shall I be? I’ve always liked the name Absurdia—Fearne and I went to the circus once on a school trip and the woman who walked the tightrope had that name, and I’ve loved it ever since.
I’m so excited. You know I’ve been ADDICTED to your emails (a healthier option, though, right?!)—meeting everyone is going to be like meeting celebrities. I wonder if Rog will sign my boobs.
From:Charlie Jones
To:Charlie Jones
Subject:Re: Are you actually coming to Ormer???
You cannot call yourself Absurdia. That’s a totally weird name. You need tonotdraw attention to yourself. Which flight will you be on? What’s your ferry?
From:Charlie Jones
To:Charlie Jones
Subject:Re: Are you actually coming to Ormer???
Flight details and ferry details attached! Can’t wait to see you, dear friend xx
