Page 35 of The Pop-Up Cake Shop

‘Yoursister?’ Ellie gazed at her in horror. ‘And you didn’t know?’

She shook her head. ‘I found out from a “friend” who said she thought I ought to know. And when I challenged him, he said he didn’t tell me about it because it happened before we were going out – so he didn’t think itmattered! But the thing is, I think he was lying about that because the “friend” who mentioned it was adamant it was after Gaz and I got together.’

‘Ooh, that’s not great, is it?’ I gazed at her in sympathy.

‘No, it’s bloody not. My sister says she doesn’t even remember snogging him. But apparently, they did, and my “friend” caught them at it.’

‘Are you sure your “friend” was telling you the truth?’ I asked.

She nodded gloomily. ‘I did wonder if she might be lying out of spite.’ She looked up at us briefly, revealing the full extent of her ruined make-up misery. ‘But Gaz didn’t bother to deny it when I challenged him about it. He keeps asking me why it matters and wanting to forget about it and move on.’ She shook her head angrily. ‘He’s got nobloodyidea!’

‘Maybe...’ Ellie hesitated as Mo scowled, clearly still thinking murderous thoughts about Gaz. ‘He might be genuinely sorry. Maybe you should talk a bit more?’

She snorted. ‘No bloody way! That’s it, as far as I’m concerned. I’ve attracted scumbags disguised as decent men all my life but I really thought Gaz might be different. Well, stupid me for imagining there might be some nice men out there somewhere. I’m obviously going to grow old surrounded by cats and actually, that’s perfectly fine by me.’

I grimaced as I listened to her rant. ‘You have my sympathy, Mo. I’ve just broken up with my boyfriend as well.’

‘Don’t tell me. He cheated on you.’ Not waiting for an answer, she rushed on, ‘Men are suchtossers!’ Her eyes flashed in disgust.

I cringed inwardly, thinking that might be alittletoo strong.

‘But you’re moving on from Richard, aren’t you?’ murmured Ellie encouragingly. She smiled at Mo. ‘I’m Ellie, by the way, and this is Katja.’

‘Hi,’ said Mo, a hint of a watery smile breaking through. ‘It’s shit, isn’t it?’ she said bluntly, looking at me.

I sighed. ‘It is.’

‘It’s good you’ve got your little support group, though,’ said Ellie, turning to me. ‘People to do things with... giving you a new zest for life.’

Mo looked at me with interest. ‘Support group?’

I smiled. ‘Just a few of us licking our wounds after break-ups and helping each other through.’

‘Sounds like a good idea,’ said Mo mournfully. ‘Have you got room for another member?’

I laughed, thinking it was just a throw-away remark. ‘Of course! The more the merrier.’

‘Really?’ Mo looked at me intently.

‘Um . . . well . . .’Oh, crikey, she was being serious.

‘Can I phone you if I want to come along to one of your meetings?’

‘Erm.’ I smiled awkwardly. ‘I mean, it’s not anofficialgroup. It’s just three of us. We all live in Sunnybrook and we meet up sometimes. We went ten-pin bowling last week and we’ve decided we’re going to train for a charity fun run.’ I shrugged to convey that it was all really very casual.

‘That sounds great,’ she said immediately. ‘I’ll borrow my sister’s running gear until I can get some new stuff.’

‘Oh. Right.’ I looked at her in surprise. She was obviously still speaking to her sister, then. The one who’d apparently snogged Gaz back in the day.

‘Can I bring my friend Dot along?’ Mo said suddenly. ‘She’s had a terrible experience recently and she could really do with being cheered up.’

‘Dot?’

She nodded. ‘She was in an abusive relationship. I kept telling her he was too controlling and she ought to get out. I even phoned the local women’s refuge on her behalf, just in case it got really bad at home.’ She shook her head sadly. ‘It took Dot a whole year to break free of him.’

‘Gosh, that’s awful.’ I gazed at Mo in horror. My own troubles paled into insignificance compared with her friend Dot’s experience. ‘I mean, you’re very welcome to join us when we’re training for the fun run?’

I could hardly say no.

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