‘And you – a girl with zero medical training – were the right person to provide it?’

‘I was the person on scene. I know I shouldn’t have been there but the thing is . . . honestly, I would do the same again.’

And not for purely selfless motives either. The buzz was incredible. Better than jumping out of a plane.

The Boss scoffs. She has grey hair and a soft face, but now it’s terrifying. ‘Untrained, you are useless to me. Please make arrangements to leave as soon as possible.’

‘But my boyfriend—’

‘He will stay,’ she says, as though it’s her decision and not his. But as I leave the office, my own heartbeat outpacing the clock’s, I realize I have to let Tim stay, because this place could be the making of him.

I’ve almost packed by the time he learns what the Boss has decided and finds me in the dorm.

‘But it’s not fair, Kerry, you did the right thing!’

I shrug. ‘The reason I was there in the first place was because I broke the rules. And it’s true, I could have put the project, myself, the villagers in danger.’

He reaches for my hand. ‘You can’t help helping. It’s one of the things that makes you you. And you saved the kid. I’m proud of you.’

I return the grip. ‘I’m cross with myself for jumping in, but I’m a bit proud of myself too. And Siya. She made a great partner.’

‘Well, no way am I staying behind while you go home.’

I laugh and let go of his hand. ‘I’m not going home, yet, Tim. I’ll head back to Kerala, cruise the rivers, even learn to meditate so I stop rushing into situations like a bull in a china shop.’

‘Without me?’ He looks freaked out.

‘I’m a big girl now.’

‘But we were meant to be here together. That was the whole point!’

Before I can answer, he storms off. As I finish packing, I try to work out why he’s taking this so hard while I am relatively calm. The trip has changed things for the better. I’ve stopped blaming him for my own screw-ups. I fancy him again. The two are almost certainly connected. But will these feelings last once we’re back home?

I zip up my case. The car to take me to the nearest station is due in three hours. Being alone in India is the kind of adventure I’ve been craving. So why don’t I feel happier?

Tim walks back into the room, eyes blazing.

‘You’re staying,’ he blurts. ‘If you want to, that is. I talked to the Boss. Told her she was being too harsh, that if she insisted you leave, I would too. That we come as a team, or not at all.’

I don’t think he’s ever stuck up for me before.