Part 3

New York

It was too early for anyone to be making calls, Rachel thought when she first heard the phone. Then she thought it might be Ross, but he'd made it home safe she realised half a second later. She remembered a kiss in her dreams which must have been him as he came home. But it could be Monica, or Phoebe, in need of help.

She picked up the receiver.

Ross? Ross, what – are' If he was there then who was in bed with her? Somebody was. She moved to the very edge of the bed and looked over her shoulder as Ross spolke.

Something really weird's going on,' Ross said, sounding very very far away, You're not going to believe it but – ' Rachel screamed in surprise. Susan was in bed with her. Susan? Rachel, honey, what's wrong?' Ross asked.

Oh nothing, nothing,' Rachel said confused. What was going on here? Susan appeared to be stirring in her sleep and Rachel watched her wake.

Where – ' Susan sat up and looked around. Rachel had already moved to the extreme side of the bed, almost on the edge. Susan moved the other way and fell out.

Who's there?' Ross demanded.

No-one,' Rachel said. How was she going to explain this? Susan was such a sore point with Ross after what had happened with Carol. She remembered how he had worried about her spending time with Emily in London when they had still been together – a pity Emily was unrelentingly straight, Rachel had thought at the time.

Don't lie to me Rachel,' Ross said. Far away as he sounded, he seemed so very sure that someone was there. Tell me who's there.'

Ross,' Rachel said, I can explain.' She couldn't actually. I mean I can't explain, I don't know what's going on.'

That makes two of us,' Susan said, slowly standing up.

Susan!' Even Susan heard that one. What's Susan doing there? Isn't she supposed to be overseas?'

She is but somehow she's here, I haven't had the chance to ask her why,' Rachel said.

Don't ask me, I've got no idea,' Susan said. I went to bed with Carol and then I woke up here.' Ross had heard only that Susan spoke and insisted on having what she said relayed.

But this is crazy. And where are you?' Rachel said, 'Why aren't you here?'

Well the funny thing is that, I'm er.' Now he was sounding very very cagey.

In the Cape Verde Islands?'

London? You mean you're with Emily?' There was a delay before she got her answer. She head a background voice, not clear enough to make out words and she heard Ross say,

No, here's not there.' Some anguished reply came back followed by a cry.

What's going on Ross?'

I just wanted to make sure, you don't have an English guy named Geoff there do you?'

No,' Rachel said, And I don't want one. Why did she cry out? I assume that was Emily.'

She's in labour.'

Oh that's all we need,' Rachel said. 'Soon?'

'It only started when I got there.' On my God, thought Rachel. Ross continued, 'I have no idea what's going on. We've got me, who's been transported from New York to London to take Geoff's place,'

Oh no you don't,' Rachel interposed. Geoff would be Emily's husband, so No Way.

Then there's Susan, who's been transported from the Cape Verde Islands to New York to take my place, but she'd better not,' Ross added in warning. And Geoff's missing. That's Emily's husband.' But Rachel had spotted the theme.

He'll be on the Cape Verde Islands.'

How do you know?' Ignoring him, Rachel said,

Phoebe's at the bottom of this.'