After a moment, Karl spoke. “Yes, it does.” Another pause. “If you’re successful, you will need to return.”
I stilled. “I’ve been thinking about that. I might come over anyway. Even if it takes a little time to sort everything out. Just for a few days.”
Karl didn’t hesitate. “Come in December. The Christmas markets will be open.”
I smiled despite myself. “You’re really selling it.”
“I’m stating a fact. Berlin does December very well. And the market in Alexanderplatz has to be seen to be believed.”
I let the idea settle. I could do December.
“Yeah, that sounds good.”
“So you won’t call him?
I took a breath. “No. If I get the job? Then yes.”
He didn’t respond to that. “I’ll let you sleep. You have an early flight, after all. And today must have been exhausting.”
“Thank you, for all your help.”
He chuckled. “My motives were entirely selfish. I want my friend in the same city.”
We finished the call.
A decision had been made. A line had been drawn. December. Berlin.
And this time, I wouldn’t be leaving without knowing where I stood.
December
The terminal was exactly as I remembered it. I waited for my suitcase to arrive on the belt, then headed for the exit, moving with the flow of people, tugging my case behind me, while my thoughts lagged even farther back.
I’d switched on my phone as soon as the plane came to a stop. Karl had messaged, to say he was already here waiting for me once I got through Customs.
I was finally here, and while I’d have to return to the UK in January, it would only be for a month. The University in Berlin were happy for me to start after Easter, and Karl had said I could store all my stuff in his apartment while I looked for somewhere to live.
And I’d spend every minute between now and April working on my German proficiency.
It still hadn’t sunk in that I’d got the job.
Dr. Williams had been surprised when I told her I’d applied for the position, but I had the feeling she wasn’t sorry to see me go. Diana was already promising to visit me as soon as I had a bed for her—and Miles, of course.
Miles was a sweet man, and they were clearly smitten with each other. He’d found it a little strange at first that Diana would be so friendly with her soon-to-be ex-husband, and it hadn’t taken him long to realise the divorce wouldn’t stop us from being friends.
After that, however, we got on like a house on fire. He was already asking if he and Diana could join me in Berlin to see the Christmas markets.
I slowed as I reached the main concourse, the space opening up around me, people parting in different directions, voices overlapping, announcements echoing faintly overhead, and the same taxi drivers touting for passengers. There was no sign of Karl, and I stood still, looking up and down the wide stretch of walkway, trying to glimpse him.
I was aware of a strange, disorienting sense of being unanchored. I’d finally stepped into something I’d been moving towards for weeks, and now I was here, I didn’t quite knowwhere to place myself in it, caught between where I’d been and whatever came next.
“Are you okay? You look a little lost.”
The voice came from behind me, low and so very familiar.
I turned around, and Stefan stood there, wrapped up in a long black coat, a red scarf around his neck, his gaze focused on me.
God, I remember that focus.