1.
The first phone call was made three months and five days later.
Ariadne was working with clay in one of the workshops. Her hands were dirty. When her phone rang, she grabbed it with her wrists and settled it under her cheek.
'Hello?'
There was silence for a moment, but she heard someone breathing.
'Ariadne. It's Arthur.'
She knew that before he said it. He had a distinct way of saying her name.
'Oh, Arthur...hi,' she mumbled. She tried cleaning her hands with a napkin.
'Are you busy?'
'No. A little.'
'I'm just calling to check on you. I know you are back in Paris.'
'I thought you would. Is everyone okay?' she asked.
'Yes. For the most part. Everyone is fine.'
'I tried getting in touch with all of you, but I couldn't,' she confessed.
'They have been busy and it was too early for that,' Arthur explained. His voice was as cold as a mountain river.
'And...now?'
'I'm just calling to check on you,' he repeated. 'I wanted to make sure everyone was safe. You haven't been contacted by anyone, have you?'
'No, not at all. It's been quite peaceful,' Ariadne confessed.
'That's good to hear,' he replied.
Ariadne frowned. Why was he so distant? They had been through many things together. Had he forgotten?
'Yes. Although dreaming is hard right now.'
'Give it some time. It will pass eventually,' he said, coughing shortly.
She wasn't sure if she should tell him she felt pain sometimes. She couldn't explain over the phone.
'How have you been?' she asked.
'Fine. Working as usual.'
'New jobs?'
'Yes.'
'You're still the Point Man?'
'Sometimes.'
'Sometimes?'
He didn't answer, but she could picture him nodding his head sharply.
'I don't suppose you need an architect on those jobs...' Ariadne trailed off. 'I mean I would...'
'I have to go now, Ariadne...Stay safe,' he interrupted her.
'Oh, of course. You too,' Ariadne said, a little disappointed. There was no warmth in his voice. It was as if he was a stranger. Maybe he was not comfortable talking with her on the phone.
That had to be the problem.
'Bye,' he said.
Before she could say anything he had hung up.
She dropped her phone from her cheek and it landed on the floor with a thud.