Rose lay with her eyes closed. Across the room, Lily sat cross-legged on the other bed, reading a textbook aloud. Rose’s phone erupted with a pop ringtone. Lily snapped the book shut and shot her friend a disapproving look.
Rose answered reluctantly. A moment later, she was upright on the bed. Then she dropped the phone, sprang to her feet, and darted around the cramped room, stuffing clothes from the wardrobe into a gym bag.
“Where are you off to? What’s happened?” Lily asked, alarmed.
“The neighbour called—Mum’s been taken to hospital, a heart attack.” Rose zipped the bag and headed for the door, where their coats hung and boots stood in a messy line.
“There’s an exam tomorrow. She’s in hospital; they’ll look after her. Take the exam, then go,” Lily said, watching Rose tug on her boots.
“Listen, Lil, explain everything to the dean’s office. I’ll sort it when I’m back. I’ll resit the exams in the holidays. My bus leaves in forty minutes.” Rose was already fastening her coat.
“Call me when you know how she is,” Lily called, but Rose was already out the door. The sharp click of heels faded down the corridor.
Lily shrugged and turned back into the room. She spotted Rose’s phone charger on the bed, grabbed it, and bolted barefoot after her.
“Rose! Rose, wait!” she shouted, clattering down the stairs.
The front door below slammed. Lily leapt down the last few steps, shoved the door open, and nearly stumbled outside.
“Rose!”
The girl glanced back, saw the charger in Lily’s hand, and hurried over.
“Thanks.” Then she was off again.
“Harrison, what’s all this ruckus? One of you nearly takes the door off, the other charging out barefoot. Had a bit too much fun, have we?” The portly hall monitor, Mrs. Jenkins, rose from her desk.
“Sorry, Mrs. Jenkins. Rose’s mum’s been rushed to hospital. It’s freezing—I’ll go back up,” Lily said, shifting from foot to foot. Gravel and grit dug into her bare soles, scattered across the icy path outside the dorm.
“Oh, Lord!” Mrs. Jenkins sank heavily into her chair and crossed herself. “Heaven help us!”
Lily trudged back, brushed the dirt off her feet, tidied Rose’s scattered things, slipped on slippers, and took the kettle to the kitchen. Tomorrow’s exam loomed—a hot cuppa would warm her before she buried herself in notes again.
Dusk had fallen when a tentative knock came at the door.
“Who’s there?” Lily called, but no one answered. She sighed, rose, and opened the door.
“Hi.” James stood there, holding a modest bouquet.
“Come in.” She waited until he stepped inside before adding, “Rose went home.”
“But she’s got an exam tomorrow,” he said, surprised.
“I’ll talk to the dean, explain her mum’s ill. She’ll resit in the holidays.” Lily’s gaze lingered on the flowers.
“These are for you,” James said, offering them.
“Ta. Fancy a cuppa?” She took the vase from the windowsill.
“I’ll fetch water. You get comfy.” She smiled and ducked out.
James only removed his shoes. Two steps brought him to Rose’s bed. He sat and ran a hand over the cheap duvet like he was stroking her.
Lily returned, set the vase on the desk, stepped back, and admired the arrangement.
“Lovely. What are they?”
“Sweet peas,” James said. “I should go.” He stood.
“Had you and Rose plans?” Lily asked quickly, reluctant to see him leave.
“Yeah. I got us concert tickets.”
“Seriously? Take me, then. No sense wasting them.”
James hesitated.
“You’ve got an exam tomorrow.”
“So? Been studying all day—need a break.”
He debated. Rose was gone, the tickets unused. He and Rose were just starting out—nothing serious. Going with her roommate wasn’t betrayal, right?
“Alright, let’s go.”
“Brilliant!” Lily jumped, clapping. “Wait outside—just need to change.”
“Right.” James shoved his shoes on and stepped into the hall.
Five minutes later, Lily emerged. James noticed she’d managed mascara, lipstick, and an artful twist in her hair. How?
“Come on, we’ll be late,” he urged.
At the concert, Lily danced, arms aloft, screaming with the crowd in shared euphoria. She kept glancing at James. He caught her energy, loosened up, and shouted along.
Afterwards, they walked back, buzzing.
“That bit was my favourite,” Lily hummed a snippet.
“Same. And that one—” James echoed a melody, mangling a few lyrics.
They reached the dorm. Lily tugged the locked door.
“Jenkins is on duty. No way she’ll let us in. What do we do?” she asked, flustered.
“This way.” He hooked her arm and steered her along the building. Rounding the corner, they spotted two girls clambering through a ground-floor window. “Quick—after them!”
He boosted Lily up; hands yanked her inside. A whistle trilled nearby.
“Hurry!” Lily hissed from the window.
James scrambled in after her. She snapped the sash down, pulled the curtain. The whistle faded. Everyone exchanged glances.
“Cheers, girls. We’ll head up,” James nudged Lily toward the door.
Giggles followed them. They dashed to the stairs, up to the second floor, and collapsed into Lily’s room, laughing.
“Quiet now. I’d best go,” James said, catching his breath.
They stood in the dark—no time for lights.
“Stay. I like you. Really like you,” Lily whispered urgently, like someone might overhear.
She pressed close, tilted her head back, lips parted…
Rose returned to the hushed, empty dorm at term’s end. James and Lily were still away, like most students. Rose arranged her missed exam, submitting the hospital note. The crisis had passed, but her mum remained there.
She scraped through the exam. Term resumed, but Lily never returned, ignoring calls. The dean’s office said she’d taken leave for health reasons.
Soon, a new girl moved in. Studies, James… No time to wonder about Lily. Before long, everyone forgot her. James never told Rose about the concert, what happened after. It felt like a dream—maybe nothing had.
Twenty-one years later…
“Mum, Dad, I’m home!” A girl who could’ve been James’ double walked in.
“How’s uni?” He lowered his paper.
“Let her change first,” Rose called from the kitchen. “Dinner’s nearly ready.”
Soon, they were all at the table.
“Mum, Dad, today I met a girl at uni who looks just like me. Everyone noticed.”
“It happens. They say everyone’s got a doppelgänger. Rare to meet them. Another roast?” Rose asked her husband.
“Dad, you zoning out?” Their daughter, Emily, nudged him.
“Cheers, I’m stuffed. You talk to her? The girl?”
“Course,” Emily said around a mouthful. “She’s a final-year. Get this—her name’s Lucy, surname… Bright.”
“At uni, I shared a room with a Bright… Lily, I think. Left after first year. Remember, James?” Rose studied him.
“That’s it! Lucy Bright. Pretty, yeah?” Emily exclaimed.
“Had eyes only for you. Didn’t notice others,” James said, sipping tea—then choking. “How many times? Scalded my tongue!”
“Sorry.” Rose fetched cold water.
“Not thirsty.” James pushed back from the table.
“Really that alike?” Rose asked his retreating back.
“Spitting image…”
James lay on the sofa, feigning sleep but thinking. Coincidence? So it *had* happened. Why had Lily left? Idiot. What was I thinking?
“James, up—you’ll ruin your sleep. Feeling alright?” Rose asked.
“No.”
He only dozed near dawn. Called work, claimed a toothache, said he’d be late. Instead, he drove to the dorms.
“Lucy Bright live here?” he asked the matron—a dead ringer for Mrs. Jenkins back then.
“You her?”
Three girls descended, laughing.
“Bright! Visitor.”
“Who?” Lucy eyed him.
“You coming?” her friends called from the door.
“Go ahead. Who are you?”
“Step outside?”
She didn’t move.
“You’re *not* her uncle?” the matron cut in. “I’m calling—”
“No need.” James turned to Lucy. “Your mum—Lily Bright? Born September 25th?”
“Who *are* you?”
“You didn’t answer.”
Lucy hesitated, then relented. “Yes. So? Figured youJames took a deep breath and said, “I’m your father, and if there’s anything you ever need, I’m here for you.”
