Page 63 of Still Falling for You

‘Can you get me Alex’s address?’ I only hesitate for amoment, hands shaking with adrenalin.

‘Already on it.’ Lydia scrolls down her phone.

I inspect my outfit with disgust. ‘I look like a slob. I can’t wear this.’

‘Is this the moment in the movie when the best friend does a total makeover of the main character? Should I put thePretty Womansoundtrack on?’ She winks at me. I don’t understand how she can find any humour in this situation, but her answer makes me feel a little lighter.

‘No, I’d just like to borrow something that doesn’t have yogurt or pizza topping on it,’ I respond sardonically.

‘On it.’ Lydia heads towards the bedroom and comes back with a maroon dress, too slinky and totally not me.

‘Lydia,’ I warn her.

She guffaws. ‘Sorry, that was a joke. It’s likeShe’s All Thatall over again. I’ve got some jeans and a jumper in the cupboard.’ She heads back to the bedroom.

‘I’m glad my life is a source of amusement to you,’ I shout after her.

After I get changed into a pair of blue jeans and a navy jumper that is way too posh for me, I’m ready to go. Or at least as ready as I’ll ever be.

‘So, you and Jane?’ I start with caution, standing awkwardly by the door. I’m a terrible friend.

Lydia’s cheeks flush, which is very unusual. ‘I really like her.’

I give her a bone-crushing hug. ‘I’m sorry I made you feel like you couldn’t tell me.’

‘You didn’t. I wasn’t ready to admit it to myself that I liked her. It’s got nothing to do with you.’ When she sees my worried expression, she adds, ‘I promise. Now, go and get Alex.’

I kiss Lydia goodbye.

The traffic to Alex’s is bad. I get stuck for fifteen minutes solid, my fingers tapping the wheel impatiently.

My phone starts buzzing, and because it’s in the holder right in front of me, Vicky’s name jumps at me, and I almost swerve. I pull in as soon as I get a chance. She messages,Please meet me in St Paul’s Park. It’s urgent.

Everything inside me tenses as I do a U-turn and head towards a place that holds so many teenage memories.

26

The car park is abandoned save for my car and what I recognise as Vicky’s silver BMW. The grey clouds are gathering above my head when I park the car as far away as possible from Vicky’s and head towards the main path slithering among the trees. I spot Vicky from a distance, not far from a gazebo we used to drink in as teenagers. Dressed in a tailored black dress, swanky cream coat and red heels, she stands out among the ancient oaks like a sore thumb.

When I’m close enough to hear her heels grinding against the gravel and decomposing leaves, I inhale.

‘Is it true?’ I shout because I’m ready to be loud.

Her back stiffens at the volume of my voice. It takes her a few beats to spin to face me. When she does, she’s a rabbit caught in the headlights.

It starts to rain, and water and wind start lashing against my body. I damn the decision to leave my coat in the car. I’ve never felt like the weather has mirrored my mood like now. I’m soaked within seconds.

‘Is it true?’ I repeat over the booming whoosh of the water, taking resolute steps towards her.

She doesn’t speak and just stands there helplessly. She lookslike a stranger. White-hot rage blinds me, and before I compose myself, my fist connects with her jaw. Sharp pain lances through my knuckles, and I shake my hand to chase it away.

Vicky stumbles back with the force of the blow and grabs her jaw which immediately starts swelling. I have never punched another person, and I don’t think I’ve done it right because my knuckles hurt like hell.

My lip wobbles, but I brace myself. ‘How could you? You were my friend.’

‘I’m not proud of myself. For what it’s worth, I’d take it back if I could.’ There’s no redemption for her. Not now, not ever.

‘Do you know what you’ve done? You’ve ruined us. You’ve ruined our lives.’ I’m not sure who thisusis that I’m referring to, but I realise it’s all of us. Alex, me, and even Vicky. None of us has been spared the consequences of her actions.

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