“It happens. They bluff their way into people’s apartments to see if you have anything worth stealing.” Marcella poured freshly brewed espresso into a tiny cup. “Did he take anything?”
“No.” Ade tracked back over his movements. “He came straight into the bathroom and took some stones out of my air filter.”
Marcella scoffed. “Yeah, he told me he was visiting all the apartments for the same reason but made a quick exit when I challenged him for some identification.”
“Shit.” Ade’s heart sank. “I didn’t even think to ask for ID.”
“Don’t beat yourself up.” Marcella shrugged. “He probably saw your name on the intercom.”
“My name? You think he targeted me personally?”
“No, no. It’s just you have a foreign name. Fraudsters love international students, because they’re less likely to question what’s happening or have a support network around them.”
Ade hadn’t questioned it, and she didn’t have anyone around. If Steph had been there, she would never have let him inside. Ade had proven, once again, that she could be trusted to misjudgeanysituation. “What should I do?”
Marcella did that French thing, where she sort of blew her cheeks out as if that would eliminate the problem. “I wouldn’t give it a second thought. I’ve sent him on his way. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
“Well, thanks,” Ade said, as if she’d borrowed some sugar, but reeling inside. “I feel a bit sick.”
“You look it. Have you been enjoying the city nightlife a little too much?”
“Something like that. I should trust my instincts to stay home.”
“Enjoy yourself while you can,” said Marcella. “Before you know it, you’ll be paying too many bills and won’t be able to go out partying.”
Ade looked around Marcella’s apartment. It had twice the square footage of her own and even had doors leading off the main room, presumably to multiple bedrooms. Marcella was a real grown up. “Have you lived here a long time?”
“A few years now. It’s a great city.” She nodded out of the balconied window toward the impressive skyline. “Are you here for just a year? People come and go from the apartment upstairs.”
Ade swallowed. Why were they suddenly discussing hercircumstances as if nothing had happened? She was freaking out right now. “Yeah, that’s right. I’m a chaperone with a bunch of students from California.”
“Nice. I’ve never been to the US.”
“It’s very different.” Ade gulped down the short espresso and shuffled from one foot to another, wanting to leave without being rude. “I should go.”
“Of course.”
She paused short of the threshold, remembering her manners.What would Steph do?“I appreciate you taking the time to explain things to me. And thank you for the coffee.”
“Anytime.” Marcella squinted. “You have a kind face. Don’t let people take advantage of it.”
“Okay. Bye.” Back in her own studio, Ade flopped onto her creased sheets and pulled the cotton over her head, creating a den of sensory deprivation. The raging hangover hindered her processing speed, so her brain’s gears were grinding even more than usual. This is what happened when she was left to her own devices for more than a few days. Drama sprang up from nowhere when she least expected it. She couldn’t read the same social cues as other people seemed to, and she got herself into scrapes.
Ade rolled over onto her side and rested her eyes. She didn’t trust her mind or her body to do anything sensible until she’d slept off her hangover. Maybe then she’d pass for an adult capable of running their own life. She could hope.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Sylvie hookedher arm through Isa’s as she stepped off the tram. They’d made it to the very end of the tracks, where Sylvie had been promised a treasure trove of antiques.
The Sunday morning sunshine delivered, and she was glad to be back in the city after her séjour at her parents’ place. She’d made it through the first weeks of the year without losing too many students to alcohol poisoning, spiraling debt, or homesickness. It was time to prepare for the coming winter months and hunker down until the spring.
“How was your reading week?” Isa asked.
“About a hundred and fifty papers deep and five seminar plans wide. How about you?”
“Same. With extra wine.”
“Of course. I was waited on hand and foot by my doting parents, who seem to have a new lease on life now they’re retired. It’s all home-grown veggies and afternoon strolls.”
