AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Vikram nodded. “Better than you from the look of you.”
Sarah’s hands trembled around the glass. “I failed her.”
“You did,” Vikram said. He looked towards Audrey as she entered the room with a cup of tea in her hand and smiled at her. “We all make mistakes,” he said.
“Would you like to eat with us?” Audrey asked.
Sarah shook her head. “I have to get back,” she said.
Audrey sipped her tea. “Kendra’s not allowed to talk to you,” she said.
Sarah finished her drink and escaped in the burning and numbing sensation in the back of her throat. “I know, but I have something important I need to say to her.”
“And compromise her again?” Vikram asked.
“I know how it looks, and I would be very protective of my daughter if roles were reversed. I want to talk to her and explain that I didn’t want this to happen.” She held Vikram’s gaze. “Please, help me.”
Vikram cleared his throat. “And what about the election. PM? And your family? Nothing’s changed there, so how can you say anything to Kendra to help her get over you?”
Sarah lowered her head. “I have to talk to her in person.”
“And what about your family?” Audrey asked.
“Mark and I are separating once the election is out of the way. I would be a single woman in the role of PM, not a married one.”
Audrey pinched her lips together, frowned, and sighed. “I don’t understand.”
Sarah took a deep breath and massaged her forehead. “It’s complicated, but it’s not outside the realms of possibility for me and Kendra to be together. If that’s what she wants.”
Vikram released a puff of air. “You’re sure that’s what you want? You can’t disrupt her life again. She’s settled and enjoying herself.”
Sarah nodded. “I’m sure.”
Vikram looked at Audrey, and she nodded. “She’s in Thailand, with her friend, Malee,” he said.
Sarah sighed. The pressure of the disappointment and concern she’d held onto slipped away. “Thank you,” she said and smiled. Her hands trembled, and she cried as something between relief and optimism engulfed her.
“Now then.” Audrey put her arm around Sarah and rubbed her back. “Shh. It’ll be all right.” She tugged her into her arms and held her tightly. “Sh. There, there.”
Vikram went to the sideboard, opened a drawer, and pulled out a piece of paper and pen. “I’ll give you the address. It’s a bugger to get to apparently, but it’s incredibly beautiful. Aud and I are thinking of going sometime, maybe after monsoon season.”
Sarah sniffed and wiped her eyes. “I’m sorry. I’m just so relieved that I’ll have a chance to see her again. I plan to go out there during the February recess.”
“We’ll tell her you’re coming,” Vikram said.
Sarah’s chest squeezed around her breath. “Please don’t say anything. Just in case I can’t make it.” What she really meant was she couldn’t face being told not to come if Kendra refused to see her. “I’d rather just show up, so she doesn’t have time to find reasons for me to not come.”
“Hm.” Vikram frowned. “Promise me you won’t go unless you’re serious about her. Don’t commit to something if you’re not going to honour it.”
Sarah pressed her lips together and shook her head. “I’m not going to hurt her, I promise you. I’m just worried if you tell her, she might tell me not to come. I need to explain things, and that’s better done face-to-face, so she can see how I really feel.”
Audrey put her hand to her chest and looked as if she was going to shed a tear. “I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you. Now, I’m going to prepare some food. Are you sure you wouldn’t like a little something?”
Sarah wasn’t sure that Kendra would be pleased to see her. She had every right to still be angry, and Sarah could only hope that whatever feelings Kendra had for her before their relationship was brought to a swift end could be rekindled. “Thanks, but I need to get home.”
Vikram handed her a note detailing Kendra’s address. “We always liked you,” he said. “Kendra was happy working with you.”
The train journey home felt longer than an hour. She’d checked the route to get to the camp on Cheow Larn Lake and the flight details. It was doable, and the thought of seeing Kendra lifted her. She was greeted by the sound of Christmas music and her father’s hearty laughter as she dumped her bag in the hallway.
