Page 81 of Lie For Me

Heather interrupted her. ‘What’s the deal with you two, anyway? Haven’t you been friends for ages? What happened there, then?’

Lucy sighed as she thought of the agreed story—one drink too many and we suddenly realised…

At that moment, it would be so simple just to tell Heather the truth—that it never got any easier, being with family. That she had dreaded seeing Heather, seeing their mother, had dreaded spending this much time with everyone, having all her perceived shortcomings combed through. Jack was there for her. A human crutch.

But when she opened her mouth, the words that came out, were, ‘Oh, you know, we just got a bit drunk one day and, well, one thing led to another....’ She trailed off.

Heather nodded. ‘I’m not surprised. Seeing you two together, it makes sense.’

‘It does?’ Lucy said in surprise.

‘Yes, you’re very comfortable with each other. Very easy. And he’s so attentive to you, makes sure you’re okay, pulls your chair out for you, gets you a drink.’

It seemed Heather had been paying more attention than Lucy had.

‘I remember when Mark was like that.’ Heather’s voice was wistful. ‘Now I’d have to be maimed or wounded to get his attention.’

‘You think Jack’s attentive?’ Lucy searched her sister’s face.

‘Yes.’ Heather was watching her. ‘Hardly takes his eyes off you.’

‘Huh, unless he’s talking to Suzy Whatsherface,’ Lucy grumbled.

‘Oh, Suzy!’ Heather exclaimed. ‘Doesn’t she look fabulous?’

This wasn’t helping.

‘You know she works in social marketing too? She’s a strategist, consults with a lot of big city firms on how to build their public profile. I spoke to her earlier when I was trying to get away for…’ Heather nodded at her cigarette. ‘She said she and Jack had a great chat about his company. She was very impressed by him.’

‘Hmm.’

Lucy felt her heart sink.

Heather put her hand on Lucy’s shoulder.

‘She’s happily married to Ben, Lucy. They’re devoted to each other.’

‘Yes, well,’ Lucy twirled her feet in the water. ‘Good for them.’

Lucy could no longer tell how much she was playing the role of the jealous girlfriend and how much she was genuinely relieved to hear that Suzy wasn’t about to try to romance Jack with her social media wizardry.

‘Dearest blister,’ Heather said. ‘You’ve got nothing to worry about. Jack’s as devoted a boyfriend as I’ve ever seen. Mum said the same.’

Good. The plan was working then. Perhaps a little too well.

She kicked at the water, hoping it would wash all the bothersome feelings away.

‘Your toes will turn blue.’

‘I think I’ve got frostbite,’ Lucy replied, examining her feet.

She squeezed her toes to see if there was any feeling left.

A shout came from the direction of the terrace. ‘Mummy! Muummmeeeee!’

‘Well,’ Heather said, crushing her cigarette under her shoe. ‘That’s the me-time over.’

‘Can’t you hide down here? They might never find you.’

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