‘A date? With who? But wait, I thought you were – I mean, you and Theo?’ Mum asked carefully.
I shook my head.
‘Oh, I’m sorry, love.’ She reached for my hand then seemed to change her mind and picked up her coffee cup again. I missed these moments with Mum. I used to come home from school and tell her all my gossip. We’d sit in the kitchen with hot chocolate and talk about everyone at school. I guess I just grew up.
‘It’s OK. Or it will be. But anyway, yeah, the boy from the bar, Felix. He asked me on a date. He’s really nice, I think you’d like him.’
‘He sounds handsome,’ Mum said, with a raise of her eyebrows.
I burst out laughing. ‘He is.’
‘Maybe we could meet him?’ she asked tentatively.
‘He’d probably like that.’
I went into my bedroom and spent the next while lying on my bed, thinking about Felix and our mystery date. Maybe this holiday wouldn’t be so bad after all. I picked up my phone. No message from Priya. I thought about sending another one.And also thought about deleting the one I’d already sent when my phone buzzed in my hand.
PRIYA: Hey stranger …
I automatically put my hand over my mouth. She’d written back! My eyes filled immediately, which surprised me. I’d missed Priya. Of course I had, but evenIdidn’t know how much.
ME: How are you? How is life? Update me!
PRIYA: Well, swimming hasn’t been as good since you left, but I’m actually going out with Calvin now, so I guess that’s kind of cool …
ME: OMG what? Can I call?
PRIYA: OK
I was shaking when I pressed the video call button. And then there she was. Her perfect Priya big brown eyes, black hair and white teeth filling my screen.
‘Hey,’ I said, because I didn’t know what else to say.
‘Hey. Where are you?’
‘France, with my family. We’re here forfourweeks.’ I rolled my eyes.
‘Wish my parents would take me on a four-week holiday.’Priya laughed but it was a guarded sort of laugh. Not like the way she used to.
‘So … Calvin?’ I grinned. ‘When did that start?’
‘Like six months ago. It’s made practice way more interesting anyway …’
‘Priya …’
‘No. Margot, don’t. Not yet.’ Like she knew exactly what I was going to say.
I felt my face flush with embarrassment. ‘OK,’ I agreed. I had to take her lead, that much I did know. ‘Thanks for not ghosting me.’
‘I thought about it. It was actually Cal who convinced me.’ Priya smiled slightly when she said his name. Like she couldn’t help it.
‘I guess we have a lot to catch up on …’ I said, as sadness filled my gut.
‘Yeah. Hey, I better go, my mum is calling me.’
‘OK, P. Speak soon.’
‘Bye.’
