As I walk back to the car alone, I arrange to meet Soraya and Carol to cheer myself up. I don’t feel like being alone, and thankfully, Carol’s salon is closed today.
Within thirty minutes, the three of us are huddled around coffee and carrot cake at a cafe in the centre of town.
‘Wow. Your skin’s glowing. Are you using a new moisturiser?’ says Soraya, as she steps back to look at me after kissing both cheeks.
‘It’ll be that man she’s seeing,’ says Carol.
‘No, it’s just…’
‘Yeah, it’s that gorgeous man you’re seeing,’ says Soraya.
‘You don’t need a man to have glowing skin, you know. Nivea works just as well,’ I insist.
‘Well, whatever it is, I want some,’ says Carol.
‘How’s it going with your new man, Carol?’
‘Oh, he was using me for hair weaves. He asked me if he had to pay next time. I said yes, you bloody well do, and, well, that was the last I saw of him. Blooming cheek.’
‘Aww, I’m sorry to hear that. But probably best you find out now and not further down the line when he’d had a few freebies,’ I say.
‘Yeah, and besides, I think he was telling Michael everything about you as he was always asking about you and Elias.’
‘Really? That’s shocking. I bet Michael put him up to it.’
‘Yeah, no doubt. Talking of which… I took a screenshot of this. I’m back on the dating sites now, and…’ Carol removes her phone from her bag and flicks through her photos, then holds it up for both of us to see.
I look at the photo of Michael, wearing the same Hawaiian shirt he wore when he tried to get us back together. I read the bio he has written.
Tom, 45, looking for good-looking, chill female, below 35…
Tom?Who’s Tom? Chill female? Below thirty-five? What planet is that man from? I think his midlife crisis has found new depths. And he’s taken ten years off. Although he’s given his age away, calling himself Tom. I bet he’s named himself after Tom Selleck. He was obsessed with him when we first met. He’ll be growing a moustache next.
‘Lucky escape there, Lucy,’ says Soraya.
‘To think that man broke my heart. Amazing, isn’t it? He just looks such a fool and a liar now.’
‘We don’t always see it when we’re with someone, unfortunately,’ says Carol sympathetically.
‘I just need Poppy and Jasmine to understand why it’s so over between us now.’
‘Maybe you should show them this,’ says Carol.
‘No, I’ve always tried to shield them from his behaviour. I’d be horrified if they found out what their dad is really like.’
‘You’re a good mam. I wouldn’t have been able to resist telling them. Especially after they were trying to get you back together like that,’ says Carol.
‘It’s not worth it. If they find out for themselves, then so be it. I can’t protect them from that, but you know how much they idolise him and think I’m to blame for our breakdown because he’s just let them think that.’
‘That’s so unfair though,’ says Carol.
‘It’s fine. Anyway, it’s behind me, and the girls have stopped trying to get us back together for now.’
‘Good, I’m glad. So, how’s the book going?’ asks Soraya.
‘I’ve just a couple of chapters left to write, and I’m very happy with it all so far. I’m so grateful to you for getting me out of that slump.’
‘I’m so pleased for you. That was Michael stifling all the creativity out of you. You needed a change of scenery,’ says Soraya.
