Passing a bin by the duck pond, Primrose drops Jaz’s gift init – just like that – and calmly walks on. And I stand at the window, staringafter her, frozen to the spot in shock.
I feel as if I should go after her. She seems to be introuble emotionally. I guess it takes a broken person to recognise a fellowsufferer! So I quickly thank everyone for a lovely time and excuse myself,saying that I also need to get back.
Escaping, I hurry across the green after Primrose and manageto catch her up just as she turns into a lane off the high street.
‘Hey, are you okay, Primrose?’ I gasp, out of breath fromrunning.
She turns and at first, she doesn’t seem to recognise me.
‘Martha?’ I remind her gently. ‘It was a lovely night,wasn’t it?’
A light goes on and she seems to remember me. ‘Yes. Yes, itwas.’
I smile. ‘I don’t know about you but I find life cansometimes get a little bit overwhelming. But you don’t want to burden yourfriends with your problems, do you?’ I shrug. ‘Sometimes it seems better tojust pretend things are okay.’
She stares at me intently. ‘Areyoufeelingoverwhelmed, then? After your accident?’
‘Me? Well, a little bit I suppose. But I’m getting betterall the time.’
She nods. ‘Me, too. You just have to look on the brightside, don’t you?’
‘Exactly. There’s nothing that can’t be overcome with apositive attitude, is there?’
‘You’re right.’ She hesitates. ‘Well, I’d better be going. Lovelyto see you again.’
‘You, too, Primrose. Take care.’
We nod and smile, and we go our separate ways, and I thinkabout how we’re so conditioned to pretend everything’s okay. I know I don’tknow Primrose all that well, so she probably doesn’t feel she can unload herproblems on me. But it seems she isn’t confiding in her closest friends,either.
Of course, I’m guilty of doing exactly the same as Primroseby brushing off the last traumatic few months with a few glib and cheerfulwords. Not wanting to add to Dad’s burden, I’ve often tried to shrug off my ownsymptoms, pretending I’m fine. I’m not sure he’s fooled, though. Digging myhands deeper in my pockets, I head back to my car.
Primrose and I are both suffering in different ways, but forsome reason, neither of us really wants to admit it...
*****
Despite my concern for Primrose, I’m feeling much betterfor having spent the evening with Madison and the café girls. It’s amazing howmuch of a boost friends can give you when you’re down. And my head isn’t evenhurting!
I’m even thinking nervously of applying for the housekeepingassistant job, and I look up the information online as I’m walking along. It’sbeen a tough few months, but maybe things are starting to get better.
I would see Logan again if I started work at the SwanHotel...
‘Hey, you! I need to talk to you.’ An angry shout behind memakes me falter but I carry on walking. They must be talking to someone else.But the voice continues, even louder this time. ‘Yes, you, Martha Munro.’
Shocked, I stop and turn.
It’s Lila and her eyes are flashing with rage.
‘See these teeth?’ She comes up close and bares them at me,right in my face. ‘Guess how much they cost?’
I step back. ‘I... I’ve no idea, Lila.They look good, though.’
‘So they bloody should for the amount I paid! But do theyfeature in the wedding photos? No, of course they don’t. I couldn’t get adental appointment for weeks.’
‘That’s awful, Lila,’ I begin, thinking that no wonder she’sangry. Everyone wants to look their best on their wedding day. And front teethare pretty essential to the overall picture, really.
‘Is that all you can say?’ She’s yelling at me now, andpeople are turning to stare. ‘Is that all you can say? It wasyour faultit happened.’
‘My fault?’ I stare at her, bewildered. ‘But how? I climbedover the wall to rescue you and I phoned for an ambulance.’And I ended upin hospital myself!
