Page 35 of Heal You
“Always a plus.”Gillian squeezed Jan’s arm against her.“Finn was asking about you.She said to say hi, and she wants to know when you’re coming over for dinner.”
Jan should probably make an effort and take up the invitation, but she was too busy dedicating her evenings to Morgan whenever she had a night off.“I’ll come over next week, maybe.”
Gillian side-eyed Jan as she lowered her umbrella once they were undercover again.“You seem awfully busy and unavailable for someone living in a hotel and who has no job.What exactly are you doing with your days while you’re not working?”
Jan shrugged.“Just…finding a new routine.Enjoying some shopping.Taking time out forme.”The day would soon come when Jan would have to tell Gillian about Morgan.She was just trying to put it off as long as she possibly could.“I may look empty-handed right now, but I have several bags in the boot of my car.
“Oo, did you buy anything you don’t actually like that I can take off your hands?”Gillian wiggled her eyebrows and laughed.“You always used to pass things on to me.”
“Probably.Give me a few hours to decide I hate one or two of the things I bought, and they’re all yours.”
Gillian sighed as they slowed their pace and perused shop windows.“Now that the jokes are out of the way, how are you really doing?”
“I’m…good.Great, really.”
Gillian turned to Jan and gave her a knowing look.“You’re the worst liar.”
“I’m not lying, Gill.Iamgood.I’m feeling positive, and I guess in some way, I’m looking forward to a new future.”
“Have you got yourself a lawyer yet?”
“Mmhmm.They came highly recommended from a friend at the office.”Jan didn’t know what the divorce would entail, but she would be fine.She had to be.“Any idea how long it takes for it all to be finalised?”
Gillian’s brows rose as her eyes widened.“It depends entirely on how brutal either of you play this.If you don’t agree on the terms set out, it’s back to the drawing board.There will be a lot of compromising and whatnot.Probably a lot of grovelling from Phil, too.Just don’t let him beat you down with some bullshit offer.”
“I don’t think he’d do that to me.”Jan was brave saying that.Phil had just fucked another woman for a year behind her back, but when it came to their finances…he would likely be very fair.Jan had put in just as much as him over the years.“To be honest, I just want enough to move on.Find a place, keep myself afloat until I know what’s next.”
Gillian snorted.“If I was you, I’d be taking the bastard for everything he’s got.”
Jan could see why Gillian would say that, but it wasn’t the woman Jan was.She couldn’t do that to Phil.He’d met someone else, and that was the end of it.Jan wouldn’t penalise him for falling out of love with her.“He claims he still loves me and wants us to work it out.”
“At least you have that.Dave didn’t want anything to do with me when I found out about the affair.”
Dave had always been a completely different person to Phil.Even Phil kept him at arm’s length.They’d known one another for a long time, but Phil always used to tell Jan that there was something about Dave that he didn’t quite get a good feeling about.Seems he’d been right all along.Only now, they could add Phil to the same shit list that Dave was on.A usually decent guy or not, he had a black mark through his name as far as Jan and Gillian were concerned.“Phil is giving me space.The only time he tries his luck with apologies is whenever I see him.”
“At least he isn’t hounding you.That’s something, I guess.”
As they reached the end of the outdoor shopping area, Gillian turned to Jan.“Can we meet next week for a coffee at the hotel?Or something stronger if that’s what we need on the day…”
“Yes.That would be lovely.I’ll text you when I know what days I’m available, okay?”Jan’s phone pinged in the pocket of her jeans.She would take care of it once Gillian had left.“I’m going to pick up a few more things and then head back.”
“Okay, love.It’s been lovely seeing you.And you look well, so that’s naturally put my mind at ease.”
Jan embraced Gillian and sighed.“Have you ever known me to fall apart?”
“No.But that doesn’t mean you won’t when you think nobody is paying attention.”Gillian drew back and smiled.“Don’t think you’re alone.I can be there for you at the drop of a hat, and you know it.”
“You’re going to be late for your meeting.There isno wayI’m letting you put the blame on me for that, so I suggest you get a move on, and I’ll speak to you soon.”As Jan watched Gillian take a couple of steps back, she reached into her pocket for her phone.“IpromiseI’ll speak to you soon, okay?”
Gillian nodded.“Okay.Bye, love.Take care of yourself.”
“I always do.”Jan winked and offered a small wave in Gillian’s direction.Her best friend walked away, that confidence Jan once possessed exuding from Gillian Masters.
She lifted her phone, grinning from ear to ear when she saw Morgan’s name.
Hey.I know it’s short notice but I’m in the city picking up a few supplies.Did you by any chance want to get some lunch with me before I start my shift in a few hours?
Jan pressed her back to the wall and sighed.Was this going to be a common occurrence between them now?God, Jan deeply hoped so.
