On the Boss’s desk, I see a pile of unused, headed stationery. I read the upside-down title: RURAL MEDICINE CAMPUS AND RESEARCH CENTRE.

Research.

‘I am logical. I see patterns in data. I like Excel.’

‘Interesting.’ The Boss’s mouth twitches: not quite a smile, something closer to the expression of a wolf who’s caught sight of Little Red Riding Hood. ‘How hands-on do you wish to be while you’re here? If you are in any doubt about the correct answer, let me give you a clue. There will be very few opportunities to treat patients, I value them and our reputation too much to hand them over to a clumsy boy.’

‘I . . . I am happy to help wherever you think I might be most useful.’

‘And that is the right answer.’ She stands up and sweeps out of the office, her buoyant sari adding to my feeling of being pulled along in the slipstream of a speedboat. ‘Let me introduce you to our resident computer genius. You two might be able to make the most beautiful formulae together.’

Chapter 25: Kerry

15 July 2003

I came to India to find myself but two weeks in, I’m as lost as ever.

The country is even more beguiling than I expected – the extremes of landscape, the smells, the chance to get to know people whose lives are so different to mine. Kerala was beautiful, but it’s here in the forest that I feel most alive.

Except, every day, my frustration grows. When Siya told me I wasn’t allowed to get involved in anything, I convinced myself I’d soon find a way in. In reality, progress has been painfully slow – at first, no one would even let me help in the kitchen, or sweep up outside the clinic buildings. I was so frustrated I was tempted to head out alone, but Siya was full of dire warnings about the dangers lurking outside.

So we’ve made a deal – I won’t risk it provided she finds a way to let me go out one single time. I’ve had to give her all my hair products and lend her my iPod as a bribe. So today I’m leaving the project, to head out into the villages. Tim doesn’t know, and neither does the Boss.

‘You are crazy,’ Siya says, as I climb into the truck that’ll follow the bigger mobile medical unit. I’ve feigned illness so Tim won’t disturb me during the day and even arranged pillows in my bed to resemble a person, as though I’m a teenager sneaking out to an illicit disco.

I learned that trick from Marilyn.

‘So, will you and Timothy get married soon?’ Siya asks after a few miles sitting in silence. She’s driving, turning the massive steering wheel with the strength of an ambulance driver twice her size.