At the next station, two passengers got off, and Curtis returned a few minutes later.
“I’ve found Lucas another seat farther down the train. You can stay here, ma’am.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“Are you comfortable now?”
I glanced at the empty space beside me.
“Much more comfortable.”
Curtis nodded.
“If you need anything else, please let me know.”
As he walked away, I took out my phone again.
My mother had sent another message.
“Are you nearly here? Your cousins are asking when we’re eating!”
I laughed for the first time in what felt like hours.
“Almost there. I’ve got quite a story for you.”
I put my phone away and watched the countryside pass outside the window.
The air-conditioning still wasn’t working.
The carriage was still hot, and the journey was still long.
But I felt different.
For the first time that afternoon, I wasn’t mentally rehearsing apologies I didn’t owe anyone.
