From: Sophie
To: Ava, Olivia
He’s not Cristiano.
She sent it and then immediately wished she could pull the email back through cyber-space. Her stomach swirled as she regretted instantly writing the three words that must surely have caused Ava a river of pain. She chewed on her lower lip and hovered her fingers over the keyboard. But what could she say to undo her snappy reply? Invoking the memory of Cristiano Cesar Barata had been a very, very low blow.
Time seemed to stretch like a piece of elastic that wouldn’t snap. Sophie sat in her bed, her iPad beside her, guilt lurching through her system.
10 August, 06.25 am
From: Sophie
To: Ava, Olivia
I’m sorry. I know you’re just worried about me. That wasn’t fair.
It’s just … Alex is an amazing guy. He makes me ridiculously happy.
How’s Milly?
10 August, 06.26 am
From: Ava
To: Sophie, Olivia
She’s fine.
Adorable.
Missing you both.
Cristiano is coming back to town in November for Tom Berry’s wedding.
10 August, 06.27 am
From: Olivia
To: Sophie, Ava
WHAT!!!! Hang on a sec. I just got back to my room and there’s like a million messages from you two. Let me catch up.
Ava, Sophie’s right. When you know, you know. If you’re sure he’s the right one, then I’m happy for you. I can’t make the wedding, given that you two are in such a huge rush, but I was thinking I could stop over in Greece on my way to Vegas?! Let me know if that works for you.
Meanwhile, what the hell do you mean, ‘Cristiano is coming back’? Isn’t that sort of a disaster?
10 August, 06.28 am
From: Ava
To: Sophie, Olivia
I don’t see why it needs to be.
10 August, 06.29 am
From: Olivia