Page 87 of Pillow Talk
Heartbreak didn’t suit Shona. Her hair was a mess, her eyes were puffy, and she wore a ratty T-shirt dress.
She lay on the couch scrolling through social media, looking for inspiration from other heartbroken people on how to mourn. It didn’t get more pathetic than this but it had to be done.
She pressed the hashtag #heartbreaksongs and, when the first video came up, she turned up the volume on her phone.
The song was about being cheated on. Shona listened to the lyrics, which didn’t really apply to her because she now knew that Sen hadn’t cheated.
She played the next video. This time the song was about someone’s lover not paying much attention to her. That also didn’t apply. Sen always paid attention. He listened when she spoke. He wanted to know more about her. He supported her dreams. He took her to a fabric warehouse!
She skipped to the next video. The singer sang about his wife’s death. Shona gave up on the app and closed her eyes.
If it hadn’t been for her doorbell ringing, she would’ve fallen fast asleep.
She lazily got up and, when she opened the door, was surprised to see Anni and Kaavi. Both looked glamorous and gorgeous in summer dresses, while she looked like Cinderella. She instantly thought back to the fairy godmother she’d encountered in Thirsty’s. Sen had lied. He said he would never make her cry, yet all she wanted to do was cry.
Anni walked past her into the apartment and Kaavi followed, waving at Shona.
She shut the door and followed them.
‘I feel like I’m about to be ambushed,’ she said.
Anni sat down and gestured for Kaavi to do the same.
‘Why would you even think that? I’m here with a proposal. I’ve already spoken to Kaavi and now I need to speak to you about it,’ Anni said brightly.
Shona sat down too and looked suspiciously at her friend.
‘One of my clients is looking to fund a social responsibility project. He’s interested in workshops for young people but wants them to be engaging rather than just talk sessions. I asked Kaavi if she could run a few makeup workshops for the girls, and I plan to involve Sam for a sports workshop with the boys. I was hoping you could help me arrange and coordinate everything,’ Anni said.
‘You’re not here to talk about Sen?’
‘Why would we be here to talk about Sen? Is there something you want to tell us?’
She knew it! Anni wasn’t only there about the workshops. It was a trap.
‘You’re just going to pretend to forget what happened at Sam’s birthday party?’
Kaavi held up her hand. ‘I wasn’t there so I have nothing to pretend about.’
Shona turned away for a moment and looked out the window. Before Anni could talk, she decided to get it over and done with.
‘Listen Anni, I didn’t want to hide it from you but it just seemed easier,’ she said.
‘You didn’t do a good job of hiding it. I figured it out ages ago. You really think I wanted Sen to end up with Natasha? I’d hoped that would make you two come to your senses, but I can’t get through to either of you,’ Anni said.
Shona opened her mouth to say something but closed it again.
‘Sen’s pretty stupid too at times,’ his cousin added.
‘So you slept with Sen. Fifteen-year-old Shona would be pretty chuffed,’ said Anni. She was beyond treading on eggshells. ‘How was it?’
Kaavi covered her ears.
‘Yuck. I don’t want to hear this.’
Shona chuckled as she reached over and pulled both Kaavi’s hands away from her ears.
‘Don’t worry, I’m not going to spill the beans. But let me put the kettle on for some tea and we can discuss the workshops,’ Shona said.
