Page 76 of Things We Do for Love and Science
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“Sandra, you’re an absoluteangel.” Delia smiled at her laptop screen. She’d managed to arrange a video call with her friend and was determined to sound upbeat throughout.
“What?” Sandra squinted at her. “For sending you a booking link for cheap flights to Munich?”
“That and for having me over. I can’t wait to get out of Renwood for a while.” Delia was clinging to the idea of a long weekend away.
She hadn’t dared take any more time off, but she needed to escape everything that reminded her of Gabriel. Terrified of running into him and his new partner, she spent more time than ever at the university before racing home to sleep.
Sandra tilted her head. “And why would that be? John Winter being more of an ass than usual?”
“No, nothing out of the ordinary.” Delia winced at the overly cheerful tone of her voice. “I just need a change of scenery, that’s all, and I want to see you, of course.”
She’d missed Sandra ever since she had taken flight and abandoned her in John Winter’s lab. The rest of her colleagues were none too pleased that Delia had nabbed the tenured job they’d all been vying for, and it showed. But thankfully, she was in charge of hiring the new scientist to fill the vacancy.
“Lovely, can’t wait to show you the city and the Christmas markets.” Sandra’s eyes sparkled. “You’ll love it. I’m warning you though, it’s freezing here. Make sure you bring the warmest jacket you own.”
“Yes, sounds great.” Delia rubbed her hands. “Any recommendations for hotels near you?”
“No, you’re staying with me, or I’ll be mortally offended.” Sandra grinned. “I hope that’s invitation enough for you.”
Delia laughed. “See you next weekend then.”
She closed the laptop, snuggled deeper into the seat of her sofa and pulled her blue mohair blanket over her legs. Sleep had become elusive over the last couple of weeks, and she suffered the lack of it to her very bones. Every night without fail, she woke at 4 AM and lay there drowning in regret. She’d tried all manner of supplements and relaxation techniques but to no avail. The white noise machine was useless and, listening to ocean sounds made her want to pee. Trying to calm a brain like hers was an uphill battle.
Her little trip to Germany was a welcome distraction, even though the mere thought of packing and braving the airport crowds made her weary. She managed it though, and with her last ounce of resolve she arrived in Bavaria and fell straight into her friend’s arms. Sandra shepherded Delia to a small flat on the top floor of a 1950’s apartment building. She took one long look at Delia and pointed to the fold-out-sofa in her living room. “You’re totally wiped out. Have a rest before we go to the Christmas market.”
Delia dropped her bag and coat and happily complied.
The evening wrapped itself close around Delia and Sandra as they walked underneath twinkling Christmas lights strung across the streets of Munich. Their breaths formed clouds in the cold, crisp air, and the snow-covered Alps glowed in the distance.
Delia tucked her chin into the collar of her woolen coat. “Where are we headed?”
“To the Marienplatz, since you’re a real tourist.” Sandra nudged her. “We’ll start with the biggest and most popular of the Christmas markets.”
“Excellent,” Delia said. “I want to try red candied apples and sweet roasted almonds and weird herbal boiled sweets, and a thing calledDampfnudelnand maybe someKartoffelpuffer.”
“You certainly did your research.” Sandra linked arms with her, and together, they sauntered through the festive city.
Marienplatz, illuminated by a million fairy lights and crammed with wooden huts selling everything from wind-up toys to hand-blown glass, was filled with people. The gothic revival façade of the New Town Hall formed the magnificent backdrop, and an irresistible aroma of heated sugar and cinnamon lured them to the food stalls.
“Let’s start off with a nice cup of mulled wine,” Sandra suggested. “That’ll warm us up right away.”
“Erm,” Delia stalled. “Do they... Is there...a non-alcoholic equivalent?”
“Sure,Kinderpunsch, but why...?” Sandra narrowed her eyes and focused on Delia, before breaking into a wide smile. She folded Delia into a hug. “Congratulations. I take it you and your earl are expecting a baby at last.”
“We are but...” Delia stiffened, desperate to withstand the wave of sadness that threatened to overtake her.
Sandra released Delia and clasped her shoulders. “What’s the matter? Tell me.”
Her control crumbled, and her eyes welled up. “I... You know, I told you Gabriel and I were friends and had planned to co-parent and...” A sob rose in her throat, and she hid her face in her hands.
This was awful. She was crying in public, burdening her friend with her self-manufactured problems when it was all her own stupid, stupid fault. She should at least be able to knuckle down and power through the consequences unaided.
“You fell in love with him, didn’t you?” Sandra asked, her eyes filled with compassion.
Delia nodded but didn’t trust herself to speak.
