Lesedi is beautiful. But she's also in Nadine's flat. Chloe didn't think jealousy could touch her at her age, but Nadine's childhood friend is picking up a framed photo and snorting and she is one second away from saying something she'll regret.
It's Nadine in Chloe's arms in a cloudy pool in Iceland. A nice elderly couple had offered to take the photo for them. It's disgustingly precious in Chloe's heart.
"When did she say she'll be back?"
Lesedi sets it down and drops into the couch. Her feet delicately rise and cross. She is wearing side-cut capris that show off beautiful ankles and a white boat-neck shirt trimmed with lace. Jewelry glitters on her neck and wrists and ring finger and sets off her gold eyeliner.
This is Lesedi's idea of casual wear. She is still traffic-stoppingly gorgeous.
"I don't know, love," Chloe says. "She had to get to Gaborone to help her mother. Suddenly."
"And didn't take you with her?"
Now that makes Chloe want to rip up the delicate strappy heeled sandals Lesedi left by the door with her teeth.
Lesedi laughs as Chloe turns away, taking a deep breath. It's not worth it. Nadine will be mad if you upset her.
"Didn't want to bring you to show Keletso?"
"She brought me home to her mum months ago," Chloe says. "Stop instigating. I get it, you're bored."
It's like Lesedi doesn't hear her. Chloe turns to see her engrossed in her phone. She sighs. Massaging her temples, she walks into Nadine's bedroom and sits on the mattress.
Hope everything's all right, china, she texts Nadine's number. Lesedi is here.
She lays back and takes another deep breath.
Chloe picks it up and blinks.
I know. She's blowing up my phone.
I love you, Chloe texts back, feeling ill suddenly. Nausea? Menopause? Unreasonable jealousy?Who does she leave the snakes with when she comes to see you middle of the day? Does her husband not work?
Maybe that's a bit much to text a girl who is taking her mother to the hospital for testing.
I'm just saying this to you so I don't blurt it out to her, mate. She's being a handful.
Chloe reaches for her earbuds and puts them in. Lesedi will have to physically poke her to bother her now. She lies on her side, trying to sink into the music, trying to imagine the woman who was in her arms just hours ago is still there.
Chloe's being ruffled. She fumbles for and picks out an earbud, feeling drool on her cheek, blinking in the dark. Nadine is gently shaking her arm.
"She just slept the whole day!" A voice is coming from the living room. "Didn't even offer me water."
"She's still here?" Anger floods Chloe's stomach.
Nadine says something back that Chloe doesn't understand. And then Chloe feels the deep pull into Nadine's chest, the squeeze-hug that feels like a blood pressure cuff at the doctor's office. Too tight, but just for a moment. The intensity of Nadine's soapy and metallic smell.
"Wha happened...how is your mum, honey..."
"Benign positional vertigo. That's what they said," Nadine murmurs. "I am going to take you for a walk." There's laughter in her voice, Nadine's cute laughter of relief.
"Bloody hell, how many tests did they--"
Lesedi is leaning against the doorway. Biting her lip like a child.
"--are you coming with us?"
"I waited for Nadi. You fell asleep."
"Stop it," Nadine snaps as Chloe pushes off the bed to her feet, unsteadily. "You're better than that."
"I don't think she is, mate."
"Stop it," Nadine says again, crossing her arms to pull off her shirt. Chloe stumbles yawning to the dresser and tugs one out to hand to her.
"I was worried when you wouldn't answer."
Lesedi's voice cracks in a way that Chloe is almost sure isn't an act.
"Ja, I didn't have an answer for you. Asking 'how is she' ten times when I'm sitting in the hallway waiting to find out myself--"
"Then just say that, Nadi--"
This is where Nadine had got it. They were both worrywarts.
"So we're just going to wander around then?"
"Yes," Chloe answers. She's zipping her jacket. She fixes her eyes on Lesedi's grimace. "We'll get some fresh air because Nadine had to sit in the hospital and car for hours and my geriatric ass can't safely lie in one position too long."
A snort escapes Lesedi's nose in spite of herself. She snaps "Really?"