Page 105 of Someone For Everyone

Using the excuse of a headache, she’d managed to grab a couple of hours’ alone time, lying on the bed and wallowing in self-pity, before reluctantly getting ready for tonight’s party. Megan had loaned her a pair of strappy silver shoes to go with her new midnight blue dress, and she’d applied make-up and used her aunt’s curling tongs to add waves to her hair. With the addition of silver hoop earrings and a sparkly bangle, her sorrow was hidden from view.

Pausing by the bedroom door, she glanced at the guitar that Calvin had bought her for Christmas. Getting to play every day had definitely helped tackle her anxiety levels, but every time she looked at it, she was reminded of Calvin, and that wasn’t helping her to move on.

The problem was, she didn’t want to move on. She knew she had to, but her mind and her heart were at odds. Maybe it would have been easier to walk away if she hadn’t slept with him. As it was, the memory of Christmas night continued to torture her. If she hadn’t known what it felt like to kiss him, to be pinned under him and to feel so utterly devoured by him, then maybeshe could have forgotten him. But now she knew, and it wasn’t helping.

As she headed downstairs, bass music thumped through the walls, making the picture frames rattle. It was still fairly early, but the house was already filled with partygoers. The dining room was laid out with masses of buffet food and a help-yourself bar.

She poured a glass of wine and eased herself through the throng of people congregated in the hallway. Judging by the size of them, she assumed they must be members of her aunty’s boxing gym. There were a lot of muscled arms on display, bulging from underneath tight-fitting shirts.

The doorbell rang and Aunty Connie scuttled into the hallway to answer it. Despite being in her sixties, her aunty was a stunning woman. She’d returned from her Caribbean cruise with a glowing suntan and one of the ship’s waiters – a Colombian man called Bruno, who didn’t speak much English and was twenty years her junior.

‘Kate, darling, go through to the lounge,’ she said, shimmying past in her sequined dress, her perfume wafting into the air. ‘There are some people you simply must meet.’

By this, she meant men. Kate wasn’t naive enough to think otherwise. She’d overheard her aunty telling Megan this afternoon that Kate needed a ‘meaningless fling’ to get over Calvin. If only it was that easy.

Besides, it was the last thing Kate needed. Meaningless, or otherwise. She’d be steering clear of men for a long while yet. Maybe even forever. Because right at that moment, it felt like her shattered heart might never heal.

A song she didn’t recognise blared out from the sound system her aunty had hired for the evening. Neighbours from both sides two doors down had been invited to avoid any complaints. The whole downstairs pulsated with disco lights and partystreamers, and the garden had been set up for a firework display at midnight. It was quite the celebration.

Her cousins were in the lounge, standing with their respective partners. Megan looked like a screen siren in her black dress made from stretchy fabric that hugged her baby belly, her red lips and smoky eyes adding to her sultry look. She was arm in arm with her husband, Zac, ten years her junior. Like mother, like daughter, it seemed.

Beth was arm in arm with her fiancé, Matt. They’d got engaged on Christmas Day, as Kate had suspected. Matt was a firefighter, and one of the nicest men she’d ever met. She was glad her cousin had found happiness; Beth deserved nothing less.

Forcing a smile, she headed over and tried to join in with the conversation, even if her mind kept wandering back to Kent.What are they all doing tonight?she wondered.Playing games? Arguing over the answers to quiz questions? Getting sloshed? All three, probably.The thought made her smile.

And what about Calvin? What was he doing tonight? Would he be at a fancy club in Leeds, partying the night away with a load of gorgeous women? Probably.

Beth nudged her. ‘Anyone would think you weren’t excited about your new job. This is the answer to your problems, remember? You should be jumping for joy.’

‘I am,’ Kate lied, giving her cousin a fake smile.

Beth raised an eyebrow. ‘You’re still thinking about that legal clinic in Ashford, aren’t you? I know it’s appealing, but right now you need stability and a regular income.’

Megan lifted her hands in exasperation. ‘God, could you be any duller? Stability is the last thing she needs. What she needs is some fun.’

Beth glared at her sister. ‘Not when it comes to her career, she doesn’t. She needs structure and routine.’

‘She had structure and routine with Tristan, and look where that got her.’ Megan touched Kate’s arm. ‘No offence.’

Kate forced a smile. ‘None taken.’

‘Now’s the time to try something new. Be radical and spontaneous.’ Megan winked.

‘Spontaneity won’t pay the rent,’ Beth said, glaring. ‘She needs to think about her future security.’

‘I know you both mean well,’ Kate interrupted, eager to prevent her cousins from coming to blows. ‘And thanks for looking out for me, but I’ve made my decision. I’ve accepted that going solo isn’t sensible right now, so I’m resigned to taking the job.’

Megan didn’t look convinced. ‘But will it make you happy?’

Kate swallowed past the tightness in her throat. ‘Probably not. But I’m not sure anything would make me happy at the moment.’ A tear trickled down her cheek.

Megan slid her arm around Kate’s middle. ‘Calvin?’

‘It’s silly, I know.’ She wiped her eyes. ‘I’m supposed to be an empowered career woman in charge of her own destiny, not a wimp crying over a boy.’

Megan looked sympathetic. ‘Are you sure there isn’t a future for you with him?’

Kate shook her head. ‘Natalie at the care home said he’s gone back to Leeds. And I’m going to be working in London, so it’s never going to work. Besides, I haven’t heard from him since I left Pluckley. He’s made his feelings pretty clear.’

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