East of the Sun by Janet Rogers

What in the world’s chasing you?’
    ‘Nothing, I’m fine.’ Amelia glanced at the clock on the wall and saw that she was fifteen minutes early. She pulled at her coat and sat down in one of the chairs opposite Ratna’s desk. ‘Sorry, I’m a little . . .’
    ‘Hmm, I can see you’re “a little” something today.’ Ratna smiled. ‘You haven’t called me for that glass of wine, you know.’
    ‘I know. Sorry.’
    ‘A “little” busy, stressed, tired? Well, whatever it is that’s bothering you, I’m quite certain a glass of wine will make it considerably better.’
    Amelia felt instantly ashamed. She’d been keeping her old friend at arm’s length when Ratna had been nothing but kind to her.
    ‘I’m really sorry,’ she said. ‘I’ve been far too distracted by this place and the past.’
    ‘Understandably.’
    ‘I really do want to catch up, Ratna. Sorry, I’ve let myself get wrapped up in the things I want to get done while I’m here. How about that glass of wine after work this week sometime? Maybe on Thursday?’
    ‘Sure, Thursday sounds good.’
    ‘Good, then we can have a proper talk.’
    ‘Shall I come to your hotel?’
    ‘No, no, that’s all right, I don’t like spending too much time there. It’s good to get out, so I’ll meet you somewhere on Tverskaya Street or Nikitsky Bulvar, if that’s okay.’ As with Patrick, Amelia noted again her own hesitation, the desire to keep space around herself, as if she didn’t trust these people she had known for years. Surely it was absurd. She needed to sort out her anxieties and allow people into her life again. Especially those who had cared about her in the past.
    ‘Okay. In the meantime,’ Ratna interrupted her thoughts, ‘a cup of tea will be a good enough substitute. Come on.’
    Amelia glanced at the closed door of the ambassador’s office.
    ‘Don’t worry, you’re early.’
    Amelia still hesitated.
    ‘And he’s running late. He always is. Come on, he won’t go anywhere,’ Ratna said and walked out, not giving Amelia a choice.
    Together they walked down the passage, down a flight of stairs and into the embassy staff kitchen where the normal array of coffee and tea-making items littered the countertops.
    ‘What a mess it is in here. You’d better sit down, Amelia, before you get those nice clothes of yours dirty. Besides, I know where everything is. Coffee or tea?’
    ‘Tea’s good, thanks,’ Amelia said, sitting down at a table that was pushed against the wall. All she wanted to do was talk to the ambassador. She had to force herself to exhale.
    She watched as Ratna prepared their tea.
    ‘How have things been? I mean, how are you?’ she asked in an effort to focus on everyday matters.
    ‘Oh, you know, same-old, same-old,’ Ratna said, keeping her eyes on the kettle.
    ‘Nothing new?’
    ‘Not really. It’s still a tough place to be. The job is fine most days. You know, normal stuff.’
    ‘How are your parents?’ Amelia asked, suddenly feeling guilty for having shown so little interest in Ratna’s life in the past year.
    ‘They’re well. Slightly less disappointed in their daughter these days, now that she works abroad for a very important man.’
    Amelia smiled, aware of the old struggle of tradition versus independence between Ratna and her ageing parents.
    ‘And Ravi?’
    Ratna’s face softened. ‘He’s really enjoying his school here. And he’s a firm favourite with the girls.’ She shook her head. ‘Can you believe he’s almost twelve?’
    ‘Incredible. Any idea what you’re going to do about high school?’
    Ratna was silent for a moment as she finished making their tea. She came over and sat down at the table. ‘I don’t know. He may have to start school in Canada without me for the first year. My posting will be up only when he’s halfway through his first year.’
    ‘Would he stay with your parents?’ Amelia asked.
    Ratna rolled her eyes. ‘Or a cousin of mine, because I don’t really