Hey. I stare at the text from Orla so long, I’m sure it’s costing me time on my route. I haven’t heard from her since the bingo night and now she’s sent a vague, one-word greeting. I deliver the mail to five houses and take my phone out again and reply. Hey!

I pondered the exclamation point for three of the houses. I hit up another dozen houses and my phone pings again. My heart races as I fish the phone out of my shirt pocket. I can’t let myself ...