A Twist of Fate by Demelza Hart Page A

answer.
    â€˜Callie?’ he said after a time, a slight anxiety in his voice.
    â€˜Hm?’ I tried to sound nonchalant.
    â€˜When can I see you?’
    â€˜Umm …’ I didn’t know what to say. It hit me forcefully for the first time since coming back – I didn’t want to see him. I had no wish whatsoever to see him. ‘I’ve got various CISD things to deal with. Maybe in a day or so, Ru.’
    â€˜OK. I understand.’
    He spent a lot of time doing that – understanding. At least he told me he understood, frequently. He worked so hard at understanding that the effort drained me almost as much as the positive effect of it.
    â€˜I’ll give you a call later, Ru.’
    â€˜Fine. You all right, Callie?’
    â€˜I think so, but, well, you know … I just survived a plane crash.’
    He laughed to cover his ridiculous question, born out of our awkward silence.
    â€˜Have you had the press asking questions?’ I asked.
    â€˜No.’
    Well, that was something, at least. They hadn’t cottoned onto him yet.
    â€˜My mum’s calling me. I’d better go,’ I lied. My mother was out walking the dogs. I could see her from the window.
    â€˜OK. Call later. L –’ He stopped himself short. We used to end phone calls without endless declarations of love. ‘Bye, Callie.’
    â€˜Bye!’ I ended on the same effusively cheery note I’d started with and hung up immediately, guilt knocking me back onto the bed with a dramatic sigh. I was grateful when, shortly after, my father called up to tell me Anna wanted a chat.
    The first few counselling sessions took place at home, and Anna expressed satisfaction early on. She said there was little to indicate that I could not return to a ‘normal’ life as soon as possible. I was relieved I didn’t have to worry about going back to work for a while, but at the same time, I didn’t want to stick around my parents’ house for too much longer. My mother wouldn’t countenance me going back to my flat in Chiswick for at least two weeks, and I was happy to indulge her for that time. Anna only stayed for two days and I started to venture out occasionally, leaving through the back, unnoticed. Along with the counselling, there were further discussions with air accident investigators. I felt hopelessly inadequate, although they assured me that my information was very valuable.
    Once I’d settled in, Anna mentioned the media. They were waiting. I knew they’d been camped outside for days, but I’d stayed near the back of the house and been untouched by it. To be honest, I was curious. Three days after returning home, I was ready.
    â€˜Can I just invite them in here for an interview or two?’
    â€˜You can do that, but there are an awful lot,’ Anna pointed out.
    â€˜But can’t I give an exclusive to one organisation?’
    â€˜You could, but it’s probably best to give a press conference and just get it over and done with for everyone. They’ll want both of you, of course.’
    â€˜Both? What, with my mum?’
    Anna laughed. ‘No … you and Paul Mason.’
    â€˜Oh, right. Hasn’t he done his own interviews?’
    â€˜No, he’s refusing.’
    â€˜Oh. Why’s that?’
    She shrugged. ‘He just isn’t interested. Wants to get back to his job. He went into his office yesterday, apparently. But, I have to tell you that there is a financial incentive to this. If both of you do it, you’ll go a lot of the way to having a monetary cushion after what’s happened.’
    â€˜I’m not bothered about money, and he won’t be either.’
    â€˜I know it sounds mercenary but it’s worth considering. And they won’t leave you alone. They want to know the obvious.’
    â€˜The obvious?’
    â€˜You know … whether anything happened between you two.’
    â€˜Me and