Into the Ether, by Cate Lloyd

10.14pm: Claudia call me

(I’m not Claudia. I didn’t call.)

8.37am: Claudia

8.38am: Sorry. Not Claudia’s phone.

4.14pm: Claudia is mum

4.15pm: Call me

4.18pm: Scaried

4.19pm: Sorry. Wrong number. I am not Claudia.

4.22pm: Ok ok so sorry

(Claudia: whoever you are, I feel for you!)

There was nothing for a day or so.

1.20pm: I love you Claudia

This morning, I picked up.

‘Hello, Claudia Vero? This Dr Pascal at Mater Hospital.’

‘I’m not Claudia. There’s a mistake with this number. I’ve gotten weird texts…’

‘Do you know Claudia Vero?’

‘No. Is everything…’

‘Ah.’ He paused.

‘Thanks, anyway.’