Page 114 of When We Were Young

Rare days off became even more precious. One was spent on an Austrian lake, messing about on boats, somersaulting off a floating dock, seeing who could jump the furthest and dive the deepest. Emily laughed until her cheeks ached. That night they lay in bed, sun kissed and merry, laughing at the memory of Matty splitting his shorts trying to impress Naomi with a headstand.

When Will asked her that night if she was having fun, she realised she was having the time of her life.

Chapter 52

August 1997

The bus pulled up outside the venue in the heart of Vienna. Lashed across the front of the ornate Victorian building was a huge banner advertising that night’s show. Emily looked up at the enormous photo of Will, wearing the gold lamé jacket she got from the charity shop back in London.

‘Oh God.’ Will groaned and ducked inside.

Reu came up beside her, reading the wording. ‘Is it the 10th today?’

‘Must be.’

Reu stared at the banner, his eyes glassy.

‘What is it?’ she asked.

He shook his head as though trying to snap himself out of it. ‘It’s my sister’s birthday today.’

‘How old is she?’

His voice was a whisper, ‘Eight.’

She stepped closer, touched his arm. ‘Why don’t you call her?’

He shook his head again.

‘Why not?’

‘My stepdad wouldn’t let her speak to me.’

‘If we ring now, won’t he be at work? I rang my parents last night – they’re an hour behind.’

‘My mum would hang up…’

‘Maybe your sister will answer. Do you want me to try? I’ll pretend I’ve got the wrong number if your mum answers.’

Reu hesitated.

‘There’s a pay phone over there,’ she said.

‘We’re supposed to be sound checking––’

‘It’ll only take a minute. We’re early anyway.’

She grabbed his hand and dragged him across the street to the pay phone.

‘What’s your sister’s name?’ she asked as they squeezed into the booth.

‘Tiffany.’

She fed coins into the slot and punched in the number as Reu dictated it. He pressed his ear up to the back of the handset as it rang.

‘Hello?’ The voice was female – childlike.

‘Is that Tiffany?’ Emily asked.