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jogged down the several flights of stairs. She’d love to stretch out in the sunshine, maybe drink a beer or a Pimm’s and lemonade while she watched the boats gliding swiftly past.
    As she headed out the front door of her building and started off with a light jog, she found herself absentmindedly heading towards the Thames. She tried to convince herself that she wasn’t heading this way to try and watch the race, just that a run along the river might make for a good track. When she reached the Thames, she hesitated. The race started later that afternoon at Putney. India would be at a pub that overlooked the river in Hammersmith, halfway along the course, watching the boats pass with a few friends. It couldn’t hurt to head in that direction, could it? After all, running all the way to Hammersmith along the river would be hard work; it had to be ten to fifteen kilometres at least, didn’t it? And then double it for the run back. That was practically a marathon in itself, wasn’t it?
    She turned left and started running along the pathway, following the wide, winding river. As she ran, she wondered if she would actually go and find India and her friends when she reached Hammersmith. She still wasn’t sure that she deserved to join them. But then, maybe she would have earned the break after this run?
    About two hours later, Hannah began to suspect that something was wrong. She thought by now she should have reached the starting point of the race. In fact, she had expected to begin to see crowds of people a good half an hour ago. But the surrounding streets seemed quieter than ever. You just haven’t run far enough , she scolded herself crossly. It’s further than you first thought. Stop complaining and just keep going.
    She picked up her pace and continued on for another forty minutes. She checked her watch; the race would be starting soon – how could she not be there yet?! Spotting a café up ahead, she slowed down to a brisk walk, reaching the doors of the café just as a woman stepped outside, flipping over a closed sign as she went and pulling the door shut behind her.
    ‘Excuse me,’ Hannah began.
    ‘Sorry, love, we’re closed until dinner time.’ The woman gave her a brief smile and turned away.
    ‘Actually, I was just hoping you could help me with some directions?’
    ‘Sure, where’re you headed to?’
    ‘I’ve been jogging along the river and I was just hoping I might catch the boat race . . . but I thought I would have reached Putney by now – I feel as if I’ve been running for ages.’
    ‘Putney?’ the woman exclaimed. ‘Goodness, love, that’s miles from here. Which direction are you coming from?’
    Hannah pointed. ‘That way, from the very centre of London. So it’s further than I thought then?’
    The woman widened her eyes. ‘Oh, I’m sorry to tell you this, love, but you’ve come the wrong way. Should have been following the river in the other direction. I’ve got some more bad news for you too – even if you hop on a train you’ll never make it in time. Race will be over within half an hour.’
    ‘Ah.’
    Hannah thanked the woman for her help and turned away, back towards the river. She could feel the woman’s sympathetic gaze on her back as she started to jog again.
    Karma , she thought bitterly as she watched the water flash by and felt her heels start to burn against the back of her shoes. This is karma for what you’ve done. You should never have tried to go and watch that race. It’s bad enough that you went out last night, that you had fun.
    She was going to have to give up on the friendship with India. It wasn’t right – this was proof of that fact.
    A vibration against her leg told her that her phone was ringing. She slowed down to a walk and pulled it out. It was him again. Simultaneous emotions welled up inside her. First, elation – he hasn’t given up. Then, fear – why is he calling me now? It’s the middle of the night right now for him.
    What if