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Date: 8 January 2020 9.07 p.m.
Subject: Re: Hello!
There’s nothing to tell about me. Same old, same old. I’m still single, still living for horses and chasing the Olympic dream. Are you taking care of yourself? Where are you living these days?
J xx
He seemed genuinely curious, and a warmth spread through her, heat settling in her core. He was single? How? Semi-recent photos showed him to be even more attractive than she remembered. He was perhaps at his physical peak now, his shoulders much bigger than they’d been then, his muscles toned and firm. She wondered what he looked like in the flesh. It was inconceivable that a man so good looking, ambitious, kind, and successful hadn’t found a woman to share his life with.
Without thinking too much, she typed out a response. She knew if she hesitated, she wouldn’t do it. Years of emotional abuse would come to the fore. She’d rememberhiscutting words.You’re a worthless, crazy bitch.She’d heard them often enough, Steve had spat them at her almost daily. If she thought about those words, she wouldn’t have the courage to send it. So she typed quickly, while the alcohol was making her brave.
To: Jason Oliver
From: Catherine Richardson
Date: 8 January 2020 9.11 p.m.
Subject: Re: Hello!
Yes, I’m taking care of myself. Well, I’m still alive, anyway, which is probably surprising if you consider my diet recently. I’m even clothed, if pyjamas that I’ve worn for several days straight counts as clothes. I’m in Christchurch still, on the outskirts of the city in a manky flat that probably should have fallen down in the earthquake. But at least I’m smiling now, thanks to you :)
C.
She hitsendstraight away, before she chickened out. The contestant on the telly didn’t even get a chance to answer the next question before his reply arrived:
To: Catherine Richardson
From: Jason Oliver
Date: 8 January 2020 9.15 p.m.
Subject: Re: Hello!
Catherine, I’m glad you’re smiling. But it doesn’t sound like you’re taking very good care of yourself at all. Being alive is not really the benchmark for taking care of yourself, is it? And no, dirty pyjamas don’t count as clothes. You’re going to have to do better than that if you’re going to claim you’re taking care of yourself.
What do you do for work?
J xx
“I’m taking care of myself just fine,” she insisted to her phone. “Bossy man.” But inside, she was turning flips with excitement. His bossiness had been evident even way back when they were young, when he’d been issuing orders at the riding school and taking charge on their dates. Back then, she’d both loved it and hated it. His exacting standards had infuriated her at times. Now it was exactly what she craved.
To: Jason Oliver
From: Catherine Richardson
Date: 8 January 2020 9.21 p.m.
Subject:Re: Hello!
I don’t work. Not these days. I can barely even drag myself out of bed and put clothes on; I definitely couldn’t handle a job.
Not very long ago, I was co-owner of one of the most successful bars/restaurants in Christchurch. Now I spend my days moping and chewing through my share of the proceeds from the divorce. Sad, huh?
She felt a bit silly admitting that to him, but it was the truth. She’d fallen so far, and right now, she couldn’t even see a way back up.
His reply was immediate. Was he sitting on his couch holding his phone with bated breath, waiting for her response, just as she was for him?
To: Catherine Richardson
