I stand, hitch my bag onto my shoulder and nod. ‘Yes, yes she does.’
As I walk to the station, I listen to the message Liv left telling me not to ‘go mental’ at Paul because he’d emailed, and everything would be okay.
There’s also a text from Scott:Hey Em. Can Liv stay at yours tonight?
I reply:Sure – everything ok?
Scott:Katya wants to talk.
I don’t understand why they need to talk overnight. Is ‘talk’ a euphemism for something else? Now I have a picture in my mind of them ‘talking’ and it makes me uncomfortable. I should reply, but what do I say?
In the end I plump for:Good luck!
After I’ve sent it, I wish I could take it back.
Chapter 68
July 2016
Liv
I hurry down the stairs at the sound of Mum coming in. I’ve been a bundle of nerves waiting for her to get back fromAmplify.
‘Hi,’ she says, surprised to see me. ‘You’re here already.’
‘Dad dropped me about half an hour ago.’
‘Was Katya there when you left?’
‘No, she’s coming later. Dad’s tidying the house.’
She nods. I follow her to the kitchen and watch as she fills the kettle.
‘How did it go with Paul?’ I ask.
‘He’s letting you go back for the rest of the summer.’
I’m so relieved, I run over and hug her. ‘Oh Mum, that’s brilliant! That’s amazing! Thank you so much. Thanks for talking to him.’ I quickly let go and step out of her personal space.
‘But…’ she says, a warning in her voice. ‘He wants you to listen and do as you’re told. Don’t mess this up, Liv.’
‘I won’t.’
‘What did his email say?’ she asks.
‘There was no message, just the file with loads of comments on it.’
‘He said it needs work, and he’ll only run it if it’s ready in time for theFragmentsanniversary. Can you do it?’
There’s a strange fluttering in my stomach. ‘I’ve already started.’
The kettle bubbles noisily, so I wait for her to make her drink.
‘Mum?’ I ask as she takes her drink and sits at the table.
‘Yes?’
‘Paul wants me to interview you.’