I realize I don’t even know what she looks like. She can’t know what I look like either. I pull out my phone and scroll through my photos; but I don’t have a single one of myself. There aren’t really photos of anything except Charlie. I hold the phone up in front of me and press the button. The click; I look at what I’ve taken.

I hardly recognize the person looking back at me. She’s so thin, the skin under her eyes so bruised. I could take another, try to make myself look better, but I fear they will all come out the same. And Chloe will see me in the flesh anyway, exactly as I am. I send the picture, with the words: This is me.

I check the Arrivals board again. Now her flight is due in just five minutes. Time seems to somehow have skipped. I push myself to my feet and make my way to the barriers. I can see the sliding doors that she’s due to walk through. I hold on tight, feeling as though I’m swaying. I really, really should have bought some food.

A few moments later they announce her flight. Streams of passengers begin to pour through the doors. I scan every one, looking for anyone whose appearance might match her voice on the phone. There are so many people, surely more than can have all been on one flight. Beside me, there is a family, hugging, reunited after who knows how long. I hold the edge of the barrier more tightly, my palm slippery on the greasy metal.

A woman is coming towards me now. She is scanning the crowds as well. She must be around my age, younger probably, but her dress, her style somehow makes her seem older. She wears a boxy skirt suit, and I can see a work badge pinned to her lapel. She is wheeling a squat, black suitcase behind her. I didn’t picture her quite like this but I think this is her; I think this is Chloe. I raise a hand and she catches my eye. She recognizes me from the picture I’ve sent.

‘Jennifer Arden?’ She stops opposite me, on the other side of the barrier.

‘Chloe?’

I have found her. She is here. I know we don’t have long.

Her flight was delayed, and it has taken up even more of her time coming out into the Arrivals lounge to meet me. We head to a café where I buy myself a flapjack, dense with dried fruit, a cup of decaf tea and a bottle of juice. More calories in one go than I can remember eating in a while.

Chloe hesitates then orders a black coffee. Then a sandwich. Then a piece of cake too.