Page 111 of Summer, in Between
‘I don’t even want to think about that.’He kisses my forehead.
A whistle pierces the beach.It’s Tommy.Mum’s beside him; they’re carrying a picnic basket between them.
‘Bonfire?’says Dad.
‘Absolutely.’I step across the rocks to meet them.
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‘ARE you feeling better, darling?’Mum says as she approaches.‘You slept for hours.’
‘Where’s Matty?’
‘Paul took him into town to get some potatoes,’ says Tommy.I glance at Mum and she shrugs her shoulders.
‘Poor guy looked miserable.I thought a baked potato was in order.’
‘Baked potatoes and hanging out with Matteo Kelty will cheer him up?You didn’t think to ask me how I feel about inviting my ex-boyfriend to our family bonfire?’
‘I don’t think it’s as bad as that,’ she says, and I burst into tears.‘Oh, Cat, come here.’She wraps her arms around me and strokes my back.‘Everything’s going to be okay, darling.’
‘It’s really not, Mum,’ I say between sobs.‘I was so angry, I yelled and cried, and I told him I hate him, but I love him.I told him I never want to see him again.It’s all so shit.And I’m so, so angry.He betrayed me.He betrayed what we have.It’s so freakin’ humiliating.’
‘Cat, think about it logically.Did anything really happen other than Paul telling his best friend that he’s in love?I know you feel betrayed, but do you think that’s betrayal?’
‘It’s more than that, Mum.’I rub my fists into my eyes.‘I might just go home before they get here.I need to think, get my head clear.’
‘I think you owe it to yourself and to Paul to stay and sort this out,’ says Mum.
‘What do I even say to him?’
She holds me out at arms-length to look me in the eyes.‘Here’s a tip, Cat, for once in your life, don’t say anything.Let him speak.’
‘What’s the point?It’s all over, I just know it.’Tears spring afresh and I push my arms up into the sleeves of my hoodie, which, as I look down, I realise is Paul’s, just one of the collection that is all over my bedroom.‘How symbolic is this?’I hold up the sleeves.‘He gave me this to wear that first night at the Gap party so I wouldn’t be cold, and now I’m wearing it when he’s coming to break up with me.’
‘Oh, my heart, you silly, silly girl,’ says Mum.‘He’s not coming to break up with you.He’s in love with you, Cat.’
