Page 62 of Behind Frenemy Lines

Looked up how long it takes to get over an ex, after Loretta’s wedding. Found a forum discussion that said it takes a month for every year of the relationship. Kriya was with her ex for thirteen years, and it sounded like the breakup had been relatively recent. She was probably at least half a year off from being over it. Not that it was any of my business.

Couldn’t fall asleep, knackered as I was. Bed was comfortable enough, but there was a humming noise from the fridge and light shining from the display on the oven. Air on my face felt different, the way it does in an unfamiliar place.

Rolled over in case lying on my side turned out to be more sleep-inducing. Heard my phone buzz.

Reached out for it. Already broke my rule about not looking at my phone after seven p.m., when the building manager rang. Seemed late for them to be getting in touch, but they might have sent an update about Loretta’s things. She spent years acquiring all those books and figures and prints, cost a bloody fortune. Can’t imagine having to tell her they’ve been ruined.

Message was from Loretta herself:

Are you awake? Do you have time for a call?

It was past nine a.m. in Tokyo. On the early side for Loretta to be getting up while on holiday, but maybe she was jet lagged. Must be serious if she was asking to speak at this time of night.

Switched on the lamp on the side table by the sofa, put on my glasses, and rang her.

Loretta: “Charles! You’re up late.”

Looked remarkably tragic for somebody on honeymoon. I was starting to get worried when Hayley popped up in the background and waved, beaming: “Hi, Charles!”

CG: “I just got out of the office. What’s up?”

Loretta: “I’ve been meaning to talk to you, but it’s been crazy busy. We’ve been spending all our time with Hayley’s parents, or I would’ve rung before. They left for Kyoto this morning.” She took a deep breath. “Charles, I’ve got to confess. I did something terrible.”

Thought of Loretta’s collection. “Did you buy something expensive?” If Loretta had bankrupted herself buying action figures in Japan and needed a loan, she’d have to join the queue.

Loretta: “No—I mean, yes, but that’s not what I meant. I meant, at the wedding.”

CG: “What was it?”

Loretta: “I want you to bear in mind that it was the day of my wedding. I was drunk. So, so drunk. And I didn’t say anything that wasn’t true. But you and Kriya were being so cute together, with your lawyer banter, and I felt like there was a real energy there, you know…”

CG, with sense of foreboding: “What did you do?”

Loretta: “Hayley, you sensed the energy, too, right?”

Hayley: “Don’t drag me into this. I told you to keep your mouth shut and let love bloom in peace.”

Loretta: “I only wanted to help! I—wait. Where are you?”

CG: “What?”

Loretta: “That’s not the flat, is it? What’s that above your head?”

Glanced up. There was a framed painting on the wall, done on cloth, of purple and white flowers amid green blades of leaves. At the bottom right-hand corner of the painting was the word “MALAYSIA.”

CG: “They’re meant to be orchids, I think. I’m at Kriya’s place.”

Loretta: “What?”

CG: “She offered me her spare bed, because the flat—” Remembered uncertain status of Loretta’s anime things. “I need to tell you about the flat. But you go first.”

Loretta: “Go first? What do you mean?”

CG: “Tell me whatever it was you rang me to talk about.”

Loretta: “Oh, that. Don’t worry aboutthat.” She was transformed, bloody radiating good cheer. “Tell me about Kriya’s place. She invited you over, you said?”

CG, severely: “It’s nothing to get excited about. I’m in the lounge. Our flat got flooded. A pipe burst in the floor of the flat upstairs and the ceiling of my bedroom gave way. It happened today, while I was at work. I haven’t been back yet, so I don’tknow what the damage is.” Hesitated, but best for her to know. “They haven’t said what’s happened to your room. I don’t know what state your anime shit is going to be in.”

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