"Yeah, just need to shove our sleep things in and the stuff we wore yesterday, and then we're pretty much done."
"What about you two?" Meredith asked, her eyes moving from Billy to Rosa and back again.
"I'm all packed," Billy said.
"Yes, mostly—just a few last things, and then we'll tidy up here."
"All organised then." Meredith smiled. "Flights are at 07.20, right?"
"Yes, we need to be at the airport for five, so we're leaving here at three, just in case," Billy answered.
“We’re going to miss you all.”
“I’m sure the girls will be back with Billy at the earliest opportunity,” Rosa said, before sipping her coffee and avoiding looking at Billy.
Chapter thirty-six
“Okay, let’s get a group picture and then say bye,” Billy said, holding out a long arm with her phone in her hand. Everyone huddled in behind—the girls up close, Meredith and Schultz, Carl, and then Rosa. “Squeeze in, Rosa.”
“I’m squeezed in,” she said, just as Billy pressed the button and snapped five pictures, one after the other.
“Right. Mum, Schultz, thanks for having us.” Billy hugged them both.
Imogen moved in next. “See you soon.”
Robbie and Janka followed, then Rosa shyly sidled up and leant in to kiss them both on the cheek.
“Thank you for making Imogen’s day so special.”
“Anytime, and you know you are always welcome to visit, with or without Billy,” Meredith said, smiling warmly. “You’re still family.”
“Thank you.” Rosa smiled in return. “That means a lot.”
“Ready?” Billy asked.
“Yes.” Rosa nodded, gave Meredith’s hand one last squeeze, and then they all walked away, stopping to turn and wave every few steps, until the point where they could no longer be seen.
The girls grouped together ahead of Billy and Rosa, engrossed in a conversation that was making memories, Rosa was sure. She smiled at them as they skipped and laughed and bounced their way forward.
When there was enough of a gap between them and they couldn’t be overheard, Billy leaned sideways and said, “I missed you.”
Rosa glanced at her. “I haven’t gone anywhere.”
“Still, I missed not being able to—”
She stopped speaking as the girls slowed and Imogen turned back to see if they were still there.
“At least they’d notice if we got lost.” Rosa chuckled.
Billy ignored the change of subject. “We didn’t talk about what happens next.”
“What do you mean?” Rosa asked, keeping a very firm eye up ahead, and on Imogen especially.
“Well, how are we going to see each other?”
“Oh, I hadn’t really thought about it…I mean, allowed myself to in case this was just…”
“A fling?”
