‘Jem!’ Rania whispered, scurrying over. ‘How you doing?’

‘Good, I think. Is Azi about?’ Jemima whispered back.

‘She’s at the cash and carry.’

‘Then why are we whispering?’

‘Good point,’ Rania chuckled. ‘A latte to go?’

‘No. To have in, please. I’m going to wait,’ Jemima said pointing to the airplane seats which had just become available.

Rania gave Jemima a knowing nod and busied herself at her coffee machine. As Jemima watched her, she mulled over the mess she had made and how lucky she was to be surrounded by such amazing and, frankly, forgiving women. She had taken them for granted but never again, she affirmed as she took her coffee to the airplane seats. Around her, in the café, friends chatted, yummy mummies and daddies wrangled their children and the usual collection of lone creatives beavered away at their laptops. The one person Jemima wanted to see, however, was nowhere in sight. And even if he were here, she had no idea if he still felt the same way about her after her awful behaviour. All she could do was be still, be here, experiencing the most agonising wait of her life. As Jemima pulled off a chunk of her cinnamon swirl, the door swished open and she practically snapped her neck turning. She looked on as Rania had a brief exchange with someone asking for directions. After, the door closed behind them and Jemima sank back into her seat. Was she too late? From the moment they’d met she’d known he was special but had wasted so much energy pushing him away. Who could blame him for finally writing her off. Jemima glanced over at Rania who gave a consoling smile, then went back to her cleaning. This was going to be a very, very, long wait. As Jemima settled into her seat she heard Azi bustle in through the back door.

‘Oh my god, Ran, the lines at that bloody cash and carry. I thought I was queueing for a Beatles reunion not coffee grounds!’

Jemima sank down further, praying she would somehow go unnoticed but the moment Azi came through, she spotted her and stopped. Jemima gave her a feeble wave. Azi ignored her, instead entering into an animated exchange with Rania. Every now and then, one of them would point in Jemima’s direction before diving back into their agitated back and forth. Jemima tensed as her flight instincts went in to overdrive. As she considered knocking over her cup to create a distraction so she could flee, Azi and Rania headed over.

Jemima stiffened but before she could even stand, they were upon her.

‘Azi, lovely surprise. Can’t stay, I was just leaving,’ yakked Jemima, pushing herself out of her seat.

‘It’s okay, Jem. Azi has something to say, don’t you, darling?’ said Rania.

Azi glared at her feet as Jemima wondered what the hell was going on.

‘Sorry,’ said Azi still burning a hole in the ground with her gaze.

‘Go on,’ said Rania.