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I hear her sigh and drop my head back against the mattress.

Di continues. “I remember the angry young woman dropped off at our door. Her clothes and belongings were in a bin liner.” I hate it when she reminds me of where we started, but I know she wants to make a point, and I owe her that. “You were so angry, so scared. You had created a fortress around yourself. No one was coming in. But then, month after month, we got glimpses of the girl underneath. One that has a heart of gold. Sometimes, we need to look beneath the surface when faced with new people and things. I know you find it hard to trust… and I don’t blame you. But don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. Not when you can make a difference. It sounds like you’re being offered a chance to help the kids you love so much. Are you really going to turn him away before you’ve given him a chance?”

Is that what I’m doing? If New York had never happened, would I feel differently?

“But…”

“Nobuts,you’ll never know unless you try.”

“What would I have done if you hadn’t come into my life?” I say, emotion crushing my chest.

“You’d have found a way. You’re a survivor, April, and don’t you forget it.” Her own voice choked.

“Thanks,Mum,” I say, and she laughs.

“How are you doing?” I switch our conversation.

“I’m doing okay,” she sighs.

“Still no news on your operation?”

“No, it’s now a waiting game.”

My heart sinks. Here is someone who has done so much for her community, but she is left waiting.

I hear the door bang to the studio.

“I’ve got to go. I’ve got a class. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Only if you have time,” she says. “Take care, April, and remember what I said.”

“I will.”

“We miss you,” she says, and once again, I force away the lump in my throat. Di and Julian were the first people to give me a real chance. To prove the existence of individuals who were willing to support me, that I wasn’t just a pay cheque, and for that, I will be eternally grateful. “Just think about what I’ve said. We love you, April, and are here for you.”

With that, she ends the call.

“I love you too,” I say, smiling.

CHAPTER 17

CALEB

The door opens before I knock. My brother’s wife, Leah, is grinning back at me.

“Hey, stranger,” she says, stepping to one side.

“How’s my favourite girl?” I ask, pulling her in for a hug and swinging her around.

“Hands off Casanova, she’s mine. Find your own woman,” Gabriel says, coming up and pulling me in for a hug.

“Where have you been?” he asks, slapping me on the back.

The change in him since Leah came into his life has been enormous. My twin was my polar opposite, a hermit to my party animal. He still hates the limelight, but with Leah by his side, he’s embraced the outside world instead of hiding from it.

“Don’t tell me you’ve missed me?” I say, stepping into the apartment. “Love what you’ve done with the place, Leah.”

“Hey, who said it’s all Leah?” Gabriel asks, making Leah laugh as she walks ahead of us.