With regret, she pushed the door open to the restaurant and left the smell of ocean behind her. That regret quickly left her as the scent of spices replaced it.

It smelt like family lunches at her grandmother’s house, ones that hadn’t made her feel awkward. Like the skin of her grandmother and the heady spices clinging to her clothes. Like Sunday spent learning to make food. The scent made Frazer long for Sundays at her Awa’s side as she had taught Frazer how to make idli-sambar, paalpradaman, kappa and kheer. Her stomach growled just at the thought.

Spotting her sister at a corner table, Frazer weaved her way through. A woman sat next to her, and Frazer threw a questioning look at her sister. Where was the lecturer? The woman had sleek-looking black hair cut into an angled bob and looked nervous for someone who appeared so put together. She couldn’t be much older than Frazer.

Jemma gave a nervous wave and stood up. “Hey, Frazer!”

They hugged, and then Frazer turned to the woman at the table. “Hi, I’m Frazer. And you are…?”

The woman gave her a grin that was far too dazzling and held her hand out, shaking it firmly. “I’m Meg.”

Why did Meg have such lovely, piercing blue eyes?

“Nice to meet you.”

Frazer looked back to her sister, who had two bright spots of colour on her cheeks. Frazer said, “I thought—”

“Meg is my lecturer.” Frazer barely caught Meg’s wince as Jemma rushed to finish. “Well, was. I mean, she’s my girlfriend.”

Meg with the amazing eyes was Jemma’s girlfriend? Jemma had a girlfriend?

Frazer looked to Meg, then stared back at Jemma. “You’re gay?”

“You’re one to talk.”

“Not what I mean, Jem.” The words hissed out between Frazer’s teeth.

Between them, Meg had closed her eyes as if to gather strength.

“I’m not gay. I’m… I’m queer.”

Frazer stared at her. “What’s the difference?”

Another shrug. “I don’t really have a label. I didn’t think you’d care.”

Meg raised her hand, and they both looked at her. “In my defence, I thought you knew.”

“In my defence,” Jemma said, “I didn’t think it mattered.”

That gave Frazer pause. Wasn’t that what she’d been campaigning for her entire life? This sort of thing not mattering? She took in a deep breath before speaking again. “A little heads-up would have been nice is all I’m saying. I referred to Meg as a guy and you never corrected me.”

Jemma leant forward, eyes intent. “Why should I? Why can’t I just introduce you to the person I’m dating.”