“No. Not this time. You’ll meet him soon, but not this time.”

Later that evening, when the others had walked to the cabin to get started on supper, Faye and Clare sat side by side with their legs dangling over the river bank. Faye’s hair was longer and she’d had it cut in a bob. Her friends had admired the new look.

“But still the same Faye—embracing the grey, I see?” quipped Diane.

Clare was several kilograms heavier, but still as lean as a willow because of her running. She and Michelle regularly entered races together where, with their similar physiques and blonde hair, they were sometimes mistaken for sisters, which delighted Michelle.

The late sun cast an orange-pink glow on the mountain peaks. It was cool alongside the river. Clare pulled her sweater on.

“How does it feel, being here?” she asked.

“It seems unreal that only two years have passed. So much has changed in so short a time.”

“That’s for sure. But you’re happy?”

Faye turned to her. “I am.”

They were quiet for a moment.

“Mom and Dad worry that you’re lonely. So far from your friends and without Derek. I mean, I know you have Zach and Murphy Brown there but—”

“I’m not lonely. It’s true that I miss my friends, more than I thought I would. But in many ways, I feel more alive.”

Clare smiled.

“Do you remember me telling you about my plans shortly before the helicopter arrived?” asked Faye.

“Yes. Of course.”

“You are the only person who knows that I was planning to leave Derek. Did you know that?”

“No.”

“The thing is, I’m sorry he died. But I would’ve been alone now even if he had lived. There was no doubt I would have left him.”

Clare nodded.

Faye looked at her. “You never told anyone that I mentioned it?”

“Why would I? I told you things while we were in the forest I know you would never tell anyone else. It was an incredible time. I changed. I think you changed. But what we talked about had nothing to do with anyone else.”

“I wondered though, if you ever thought about whether Derek knew I was going to leave him before he drowned. And whether that had anything to do with . . . well, anything. Did you?”

Clare was quiet. Faye looked at her.

“You did?”

“For a while. Yes.”

“A while? But then?”

“When I was recovering at my parents’ home, I overheard them talking about Derek. My father was pretty cut up about it. He said that he should have made sure that he—Derek, that is—went back to the cabin before he left. He said Derek was irrational. Stoned. Drunk. Saying crazy things.”

“Like what?” Faye asked quietly.