A Twist of Fate by Demelza Hart

the crash. I couldn’t do it all again. ‘I’m sorry, Ru, I can’t now. I’ve already gone through it all once today. Not now.’
    â€˜Sorry, sorry. Should have realised. But you know I’m here when you want me.’
    â€˜I know. Look,’ I stood up with my bag. ‘I have to go, I’m afraid. It’s good to see you. I’ll ring soon.’
    â€˜Well … what about meeting tomorrow?’
    â€˜I’ve got more CISD to deal with.’
    â€˜What’s that?’
    â€˜Trauma stuff,’ I said it so flippantly it made a mockery of my words. I was lying anyway. I didn’t have anything to do tomorrow.
    The corner of Rupert’s mouth twitched in that way he had when he doubted me, but he nodded slowly. ‘OK. I’ll be in touch in the next day or so.’
    â€˜Fine.’ I said it emphatically, trying to convince myself it was. He stood up and gave me another hug. I returned it, but resented the stale smoke which lingered on him. ‘Bye, Ru. See you soon.’
    â€˜Bye, Callie.’
    I smiled and walked off, trying not to hurry my steps. At the door, I glanced back. He was reaching for another cigarette.
    When I got home – trying to ignore the photographers opposite – my mother looked up from the Telegraph wearily. ‘Wish you’d been here earlier, darling.’
    â€˜Why’s that?’
    â€˜Your press conference seems to have roused people to want more of you. You did look gorgeous though, Caroline, I can understand why.’
    â€˜Want more of me? What?’
    â€˜They’re even more insistent than before. The phone hasn’t stopped ringing all day and I had the police around to try to put an end to that rabble camped outside. Luckily, they can’t see much behind the hedge. But they’re within their rights, apparently. Vultures.’
    â€˜What do they want?’
    â€˜Anything, it would seem, but you’ve got numerous invitations for chat shows and goodness knows what else. Wish they’d stop harping on about that man though.’
    â€˜What man?’
    â€˜The survivor. The one on the island.’
    â€˜Paul?’
    â€˜Hm.’
    â€˜What did they want to know?’
    She looked at me disparagingly over the Telegraph . ‘Whether you and he were … an item.’
    â€˜I’ve already told them that very clearly.’
    â€˜I don’t think they believed you. They were trying to catch me out, I could tell. Asking me things to let it slip.’
    â€˜There’s nothing to let slip, Mum.’
    â€˜Don’t call me that, dear. Makes me sound like an extra in EastEnders .’
    I rolled my eyes.
    â€˜I certainly hope nothing happened between you. Anyway, they want you to ring them back. I’ve left all the numbers on the kitchen table. Where’ve you been this afternoon?’
    â€˜If you must know, I met Rupert. Does that make you feel better?’
    â€˜Oh, did you? How is he?’ My mother’s face brightened visibly.
    â€˜Back to smoking.’
    â€˜Oh dear, what a shame. Still, we must forgive our men the occasional fault; they all have them. I should know.’ She gave me a little look and we shared a sad little conspiratorial smile. Despite my father’s indomitable good sense, my mother had to work hard for the marriage at times.
    â€˜All right, Mummy, but he’s not my man.’
    â€˜As good as.’
    I sighed. ‘I’m going up. Do you want me to cook tonight?’
    â€˜No, darling. You won’t be here long, allow me to look after you while you are.’
    I couldn’t argue. I leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. ‘It’s so lovely to be back, Mummy.’ She reached up and hugged me tight. The tears started.
    â€˜I know, my love.’ I could hear the thick edge to her voice. I drew back before we both started sobbing uncontrollably.
    â€˜I’ll be down soon.’
    â€˜No