Tom and Cora stood in the foyer of the RADA theatre in London.
"What do you mean you're not coming? You do know this a huge opportunity, don't you?"
"Yes, Tom, I am aware of that. Thank you for making me feel worse though, that's really helpful."
"I just don't understand!"
Tom was reacting quite differently to what Cora had expected. She was hoping for sympathy or some sort of commiseration. Instead she was getting anger and what she thought might be disappointment. It's not like they don't have plenty of stage hands. He isn't going to miss me.
"I told you, I'm not well enough to go. I wish I could, but I can't."
"I thought you just had some virus? It's been a month, Cora. You don't even look sick."
"Well I feel sick, and evidently I am sick enough for the doctor to say no. So I'm sorry you're so... whatever you are. I have to go, if I don't see you before you leave, have a fantastic time and take lots of pictures for me."
She turned and left, walking slowly back to her shared apartment and finally collapsing on the couch half an hour later.
"Is that you, Cora?" her sister Stephanie called from her bedroom.
"Yeah," she groaned.
"You ok?"
"Just tired. Hey, I just told Tom I couldn't go to Europe for Cymbeline, and I think the bastard was angry. Maybe disappointed. But mostly just... angry. Like he thought I didn't want to go."
"You don't see it, do you?"
"See what?"
"Never mind. I'm sure he'll be calling you tonight all sympathetic."
"I'm going to have a nap I think. I'm totally worn out. I can't wait for things to get back to normal, to have my energy back and feel like myself again."
"You will honey. Just give it a few more weeks."
Cora was woken a few hours later and found Stephanie sitting on the bed next to her. She was three years older than Cora, and slightly taller. They shared the same auburn hair and blue eyes, and it was always obvious to strangers that they were sisters. Cora had kept her hair long and curly and it hung just past her shoulder blades. Steph on the other hand had cut hers in to a chin length straight bob.
"Cora, honey? Tom is here and he wants to see you."
"Oh, uh... just send him in here. I don't have the energy to get up."
"OK." She heard Steph talking softly and then heard Tom clear his throat at the side of the bed.
"Hey, Cora. How are you?"
"OK. Tired. Sit down, Tom."
"I'm sorry to come over unannounced. And I'm really, really sorry for today. I should have been sympathising not questioning your decision."
"Yeah, and that's the thing, it isn't my decision at all. If a doctor says I can't go, then I can't go. I know it's a terrible career move but there's nothing I can do. I have to take a couple of months off and rest." Tom nodded. "I have a virus, and I am just so tired and run down, everything hurts. I thought it was just a cold, but they say my heart is a little enlarged. I need to rest so it can heal, and then I can do the next European run."
"God, Cora. I didn't realise it was so serious. My reaction today... I was disappointed. I was so looking forward to spending some time with you, showing you around. I was going to take you out in Spain. Like, on a date. If you'd said yes." He looked shyly down at his fidgeting hands and for the first time since they'd met she was shocked, Tom didn't get nervous or shy.
"Oh. Well, if it's any consolation I would have said yes. Maybe when you get back, I'll be better by then."
"Deal."
