Olivia stood alone outside the university. The last dregs of students walked past her. Off home to get ready for a Friday night on the town. The soft evening sun shone on her face and the evening breeze ruffled her long hair. She took a deep breath, had one last look at the university sign 'Cabot University' and strode forward. It had been years since she had been to a university. So many memories of her uni days. She had last been on campus after gaining her PhD in psychology, and she had forgotten how much she had loved her time gaining it. The people she had met, thing's she had learnt.

As she entered the large oak doors she took a moment to savour the lingering atmosphere. She looked at the watch on her right arm. Five Twenty five, just time to find the office she was being interviewed in. She walked slowly along the corridor, her boots clicked along the tiled floors. She saw the office in front of her. The plaque on the door read, 'Professor R. Bridge'. Olivia did a double take, surely it couldn't be him. No. No it's not him. Olivia steadied herself and looked down to smooth out any creases in her new suit. She fixed her hair and rapped the door.

'Come in' a woman's voice said on the other side of the door. Olivia sighed, it wasn't him. She opened the door and entered. She was in an office with walls lined with hundreds of books. The woman was next to a desk in a comfortable chair. She stood and held out her hand. Olivia took it. 'My name is Barbara Sinyard; I'm head of psychology here at Cabot. Please take a seat, Professor Bridge will be with us shortly.' Olivia sat down, it could still be him, she told herself. But eight years is a long time, would he still remember her? She began to panic. Suddenly the door opened behind her. 'Sorry Barb, is this the last one?' Olivia recognised the voice and turned around. The next second seemed to last forever.

Robert Bridge stood in the doorway. He was older and more worn, like he was ill, but still as handsome as she remembered. Slowly a smile creped across his face as he remembered her. 'Olivia'

'Robert!' without thinking, she ran towards him and flung her arms around his waist. He still smelt the same. Robert returned the embrace. 'You look great Robert'

'Not as good as you!' he exclaimed.

'Excuse me, this is an interview, not friends reunited, Robert'

'Sorry, Barb. Look you were going out with Jude, why don't you go home and get ready. I can do the interview.'

'Robert'

'Barb'

'OK then. I'll see you tomorrow' Barb picked up her bag and left the room. Robert motioned towards the desk and they took their seats. 'Your CV is most impressive'

'Thank you. So you work here? This is great, we'll be working together then?'

'Yes' Robert sounded uncomfortable.

'Robert are you all right, you can tell me you know.' Olivia stood up and walked around the office. She stopped at a photograph on the wall. In it Robert was smiling, he was with a woman, Jude she took it and a boy. 'I didn't know you were a dad Robert'

'You wouldn't would you though' Robert snapped. He strode over and snatched the picture from her, placing it back in its place.

'Sorry, Robert. Is that Jude?'

'Yes. And the boy is my son Josh'

'He's handsome just like you. I'd love to meet them'

'Well you can't'

'Why not' Olivia asked. She was confused, why was Robert acting like this.

'You can't because…because Josh is dead. He died in a car crash.' Robert looked at the floor and walked over to his desk and sat down in the leather chair. Olivia followed and sat opposite. 'I'm so sorry, I, I didn't know. Robert.' She held his hand. It was so cold. He looked at her and for a second it was like they had never been apart. Olivia saw another picture pinned to his computer. It was a woman, about 40, with blonde hair and the bluest eyes she had ever seen. Robert saw hr looking and before she had time to ask the question Robert answered it. 'That's Alison Munday. She's a medium and I'm writing a book about her, although I doubt I'll get to finish it.'

'What do you mean Robert. Robert, tell me what's wrong'

'You won't be working with me Olivia. It's my job you've applied for'

'So, that doesn't matter, I still e-mail you or call you'

'You won't be able to. Olivia.' Robert looked at her. She could see worry and pain in his eyes now she saw them closer. 'Olivia I have a, I have a tumour. A terminal brain tumour. I'm dying.'

Olivia was in shock. She lifted her hand to her mouth. And felt tears welling up in her eyes. 'Olivia are you alright'

'No' Olivia sobbed. 'You won't believe this. I got married 2 years ago. A nice man, Craig's his name; we met in the police when I worked there. He was diagnosed with a tumour too. Last month. Terminal. Not sure how long he's got.' Olivia broke down. The two men that she cared most about in the world were dying. Robert hugged her. Olivia pushed him away and felt in her bag for a tissue. She dried her eyes. 'I need a drink.'

'Olivia, let's go for a drink. There's so much I need to tell you, before it's too late.' Robert held out his hand. Olivia took it. 'Fine we'll go for a drink. On one condition.'

'And what's that?

'We forget you told me that. We forget about tumours, Craig, Jude, Josh, we have a drink just like old times. Apart from one thing.'

'And what would that one thing be?'

'I'm intrigued as to why you are writing a book about a medium.'

'It's along story'

'That's fine, I've got all evening'