Free The Love Detective by Alexandra Potter

Nag Champa. Mrs Flannegan is going to think I’ve turned into a hippy.
    ‘What about you?’ Deciding to deal with my souvenirs later, I look up and shoot Amy a smile. ‘Excited to be going home?’
    There’s a pause. ‘Well, I wouldn’t say excited . . .’
    ‘No, you’re probably more nervous,’ I smile encouragingly, ‘what with the new job and everything.’
    ‘Yes,’ she nods, fidgeting with her hair. She seems worried, but that’s understandable, it’s a huge deal for her.
    ‘You’ll be brilliant, don’t worry,’ I quickly try to reassure her. ‘You’re so talented, Amy, that’s why they hired you! And we’re all so proud of you, me, and Mum and Dad – we know how hard you’ve worked for this.’
    ‘I just don’t want to let anyone down—’ she begins, but I don’t let her finish.
    ‘You’re not going to let anyone down!’ I admonish. ‘Amy, you could never let anyone down!’
    She throws me a thankful look. ‘Thanks Rubes.’
    ‘Hey, what are big sisters for?’ I say, giving her arm a quick squeeze, before turning back to my packing. ‘So, what time shall we get the cab for?’ My buttocks have only just recovered from the tuk-tuk ride a week ago, so this time I’ve insisted on taking a taxi to the airport.
    ‘Well actually, here’s the thing . . .’
    I pause from squeezing the fifth pashmina into my suitcase. Whenever my sister says ‘here’s the thing’, it usually translates from Amy-speak into ‘here’s the problem.’
    ‘What thing?’ I say suspiciously.
    ‘Oh, it’s nothing,’ she reassures me quickly. ‘It’s just that I want to say goodbye to a few people, just some of my backpacker friends, so I thought it’s probably easier if I meet you at the airport.’
    ‘But it seems silly to pay for two cabs when we can share one,’ I frown.
    ‘Biju offered to give me a lift,’ she replies. ‘So it’s no problem, and I just thought I could leave now while you finish your packing. I’ve done mine already, I didn’t have that much.’ She glances at my overstuffed suitcase with a worried expression, ‘And it looks like you might be a while.’
    ‘Well, OK I suppose so . . .’ I shrug. She has got a point. After all, there’s no reason in her hanging around whilst I try and beat my Samsonite wheelie into submission.
    ‘And there’s another thing . . .’
    I raise my eyebrows.
    ‘Could you lend me some cash?’ She shoots me an apologetic look. ‘I’ll give you it back, I promise. It’s just my debit card won’t work any more.’
    I roll my eyes, I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve bailed my sister out because her debit card won’t work, or it’s been eaten, or she’s lost it. Of course, it’s always the card’s fault, and never because she’s useless with money and has spent all of it.
    ‘Look in my wallet,’ I say, gesturing to my bag next to her. ‘Just leave me enough for the taxi.’
    ‘Thanks sis, I knew I could count on you!’ She takes a bundle of rupees then, jumping up from the bed, gives me a big hug.
    ‘This is just a loan,’ I warn, hugging her back. ‘To add to the other loans.’
    ‘I know,’ she nods, then, breaking away, turns to the door. ‘Bye Rubes.’
    ‘Bye Amy – oh, hang on.’ But she’s already gone rushing off up the beach. Standing at the doorway, I yell after her, ‘Just don’t be late!’
    For a moment, she stops running and turns. ‘I won’t!’ she yells back. Then she’s gone, disappearing up the steep path that leads to the guesthouse and I go back inside and return to my packing.
    Now how on earth am I going to pack that umbrella?

Chapter 8
    It’s not until much later that I realise we never arranged what time to meet.
    But that’s OK, I’m sure it’s fine.
    I manage to brush this troublesome thought to one side until I reach Goa International Airport. After all, it’s not rocket science, is it? Everyone knows you should get to the airport two hours before your flight.
    Even