‘I know,’ I reply, remembering very well how hard it was to get to know Sam. Maybe if we’d been living in the same time-zone we might have made it work. But it wouldn’t have been fair, as I’ve been hankering after someone I can’t have for the past few years. So I would have been stringing Sam along, although I don’t think I realised it at the time – not in those early stages.
‘I didn’t tell you because I didn’t think you’d approve,’ Liv goes on. ‘Because I didn’t think you’d want me spending time with your ex, and I knew it was wrong and I still did it anyway, because … I like him. And I know that makes me a really shit person—’
‘It doesn’t,’ I say honestly.
‘But I thought it would be one drink and then he’d realise how boring it is trying to be friends with a low-level lawyer from London, but at the end of it he asked me on “another date”, and I asked if thatfirstone was a date … because I’m so cool like that,’ Liv deadpans and I can’t help but laugh. ‘And we’ve been on a few dates since, when Sam’s been here, and I thought:Any second now this is going to fizzle out and I won’t be in too deep, and then Aurora won’t snap my head off when I tell her I had a couple of drinks with Sam. But those couple of drinks are about to turn into a trip to Paris and—’
‘Paris?’ I cut in. ‘Really?’ I’m quite excited for her.
She nods. ‘And it’s going well, and a huge part of me is so happy and the other part of me is pissed off that Sam and I get on so well, because now I have to tell you. And if you say you’re not happy, I will totally understand and I’ll call things off.’
‘Liv,’ I reach out and take her hand across the table. ‘Liv … I want you to be happy. Does Sam make you happy?’
She nods enthusiastically. ‘It may still all go horribly wrong, but I want to try. What do you think?’
Liv is one of the most powerful, strong women I know. Perhaps, actually, she isthestrongest. I think of her on that first day at uni when she was the last to arrive, but we weren’t complete until she joined us. We just didn’t know it. She was so vulnerable, entering the room full of strangers. Now look at her.
‘I think you should go for it,’ I say.
Relief floods her face and she squeezes my hand. ‘Do you? Honestly.’
‘Honestly,’ I reply.
‘Aurora, I know it’s going to be weird dating your ex. I was so worried about telling you.’
‘There was no need to worry. But if you feel the need to make it up to me, I want to be chief bridesmaid at your wedding, please.’
‘Ha,’ Liv laughs and I love seeing her face light up like that. I love seeing her happy. She deserves it. ‘I think that would be even weirder.’
‘Probably. OK, we can scrap bridesmaid. I’ll settle for godparent to your firstborn.’
‘Consider it done.’
CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT
Ollie
I’ve finally done it. Doctor Oliver Harris. Ten years of training and I’ve hated every single second of it. Maybe not all of it. Most of it, though. It’s been gruelling and I never thought I’d get here, so it feels like a total miracle. I feel like I’ve made the most stupid mistake, studying medicine and becoming a doctor, but I stuck it out to the end.
The strangest bit is that it’snotthe end. My career’s barely got off the ground. It’s only the beginning.
I posted a photo on my social media, holding up my work ID badge at the hospital where I’ve begun proper shiftwork. I hardly ever post, so the flood of messages that came in from friends, old and new, was gratifying.
I’m sure it’ll be fine. I’m sure it’ll work out in the end. For now I’m going to ride this wave of success and enjoy the fact that I’ve done it. I’ve become a doctor. It’s finally happened.
I see Aury has liked my post and written a message of congratulations underneath that blends in seamlessly with everyone else’s. She’s changed her social-media handle to AuryPilatesLondon. I’m not sure what to make of the factthat she’s using the name I call her. She’s also changed her profile picture to a rolled-up yoga mat or something resembling it and has made her account private. Her images have changed from celebrity premieres and beach-front hotels to simply her in workout gear, drinking a range of herbal teas. I have no idea what’s going on there. Why do we know nothing about each other now? Our worlds still feel so different. Our lives are polar opposites.
CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE
Aurora
‘You’re going out, aren’t you?’ Mum asks as she steps out of her bedroom dressed to kill. I’m slumped on the sofa after returning from seeing Liv. Today I did a practice Pilates class with her, ready for me to be observed. It went well. I think.
‘I’vebeenout. I’m in now. You lookgreat.’
‘Oh, I misunderstood. I thought you were … never mind.’
The intercom buzzes and I start to rise, but Mum moves at a speed I’ve never seen her move before – impressive in heels.
