Page 4 of (Not So) Mad About You

Marilyn was also nice. Nice and blonde and chirpy and not always terribly smart or diplomatic, but then all people can’t be all things. She did have an annoying little habit of calling Robbie ‘Rob’ which Bea didn’t particularly like. But she supposed that was what happened when you met a man as an adult, rather than having known him since he was fourteen.

“Oooo, lovely,” Marilyn said when Bea handed her a cup of tea. “Just what the doctor ordered.” She took a sip and, to give her credit, controlled her expression quite well. She was rescued by the front door banging closed. “That’ll be Rob,” she said, looking relieved as she put her cup down, and she ran out to meet him.

Bea sipped her tea thoughtfully. Rob. He almost sounded like a different person really. Except when he came into the kitchen two minutes later he looked exactly the same as he’d always looked, with his chipped front tooth and his hair that never lay flat.

“I’ll move all the boxes out of the way,” he said, putting milk on the table. “Sorry about the mess.”

“It’s alright,” said Bea even though it wasn’t at all alright.

Robbie reached over like he was about to take her hand, but then didn’t. “It won’t be for long.”

Bea nodded. “Take as long as you like,” she said politely.

Robbie’s face cleared a little bit. “Thanks, Bea. You’re a star.” He grinned at her and went off to find his new girlfriend and Bea found herself drinking two cups of herbal tea and trying not to hear what was happening in the spare room again.

“HE’S YOUR EX,” Liz said, rolling her eyes. “He cheated on you.Worse, he cheated on you with the woman that he’s now moved into your flat. Jesus, Bea, I’m not sure things could get much worse.”

“It’s not bad,” Bea said, picking at her salad. There were onions and she hated onions.

“Not bad?” Liz took a long drink from her wineglass. “My love, you can’t live like this. Why don’t you come and sleep on our couch?”

“Because sleeping in my own bed is better,” Bea said. But she smiled. “Thanks for the offer, though.”

“You can’t do this,” Liz said. “It’s not… normal.”

“Normal? It’s kind. They can’t afford another place right now, they’re saving up. Besides, with the housing market the way it is…”

“Then you move out.”

“With what money exactly?”

Liz sighed. “Still no sign of a job, huh?”

“I pick up a few classes at the sports hall down the street,” said Bea. “And I’ve had a few interviews.”

Liz rubbed her face. “Okay, listen, I just signed up for a new gig at some health resort or something. It’s only for a couple of weeks and the pay isn’t brilliant, but it’s enough. I’m hoping that it’s going to turn into a regular thing. Who knows, maybe they’ll expand and need more teachers. I’ll put your name in. It won’t be for ages, of course, and that’s only if they do expand, but it’s something to look forward to.”

“Thanks,” said Bea. “That’s kind.”

“And kind is important,” Liz said with a sigh. “But so is not being a walk-over. You can’t just—” She broke off as the waitress came over to their table.

“How is everything?”

“Lovely,” Bea beamed. “Delicious, thank you.”

The waitress was about to walk away when Liz spoke up. “Actually, whilst the food is very nice, I’m afraid you got the order a bit wrong. My friend ordered the tuna salad without onions.”

The waitress blushed. “Oh god, I’m sorry. Did the kitchen forget? Here, let me take that, I’ll just be a minute.” She swooped the plate from under Bea’s nose and left.

“See?” Liz said. “You can be polite and kind without having to sacrifice your own needs. There’s nothing wrong with standing up for yourself and what you want and need, Bea.”

Bea looked down at the empty table in front of her. “Well, I’d already picked most of the onions out. And now that food will probably be thrown away and go to waste.”

Liz groaned. “Babe, come on. You see what I’m trying to say here.”

Bea closed her eyes. “I know, I know. I let people walk all over me.”

“Bea, you’re such a lovely person. You’re kind and generous and pretty and a million other things, but you can’t live your whole life letting everyone take everything from you. You’ll end up getting hurt.”

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