As they made their way towards the pub, their feet scrunching through fallen leaves,Lisa decided to let Nathan do the talking. She listened as he told her about the places he had travelled in search of the best wave, the most technical ski run, and the best climb. He was completely animated as he spoke, full of passion for his action-packed life. Lisa thought back to the Nathan she had known and the things he had wanted. She wondered if he ever considered how his life might havebeen different if she had said yes to his proposal, back when he thought the biggest thrill in his life would be saving enough for them to put a deposit down on a house. When she refused his proposal, she had set both of their lives on a different path.
Ironically, it seemed now, both of them had gone on to experience new adventures. OK, so it had been some years now since Lisa had doneany thrill seeking, but in the early days, when she first went on her travels, she had embraced opportunities as they arose. She had learnt to snowboard, she had ridden jet skis and she had been brave enough to parapente off mountains in Chamonix. She had left her hometown to experience the world and she had, well India and parts of Europe anyway. As Lisa continued to listen to Nathan talk abouthis love of travelling and extreme sports a thought slipped into her mind, one she had never considered before:Would he have come with me? Could we have done it all together, if I had stopped to ask?She decided to push the thought away.Bloody what ifs!Lisa knew they could eat you up if you let them.
Brushing past a man carrying an enormous bunch of helium-filled, Disney-character-adorned,glow-in-the-dark balloons, Lisa spotted Felicity and Melissa in the gathering crowd on the opposite side of the road. Bella was presumably somewhere hidden within the huge hood and warm cosy-toes of her pushchair, while Flick’s children sat in a line along the edge of the kerb. Spotting Lisa they gave her a wave, flashing a variety of neon glow sticks, lightsabers and twirling, light-up butterfliesin her direction. Touched that they looked so genuinely happy to see her, Lisa waved back, and laughed as Alice picked up a no-parking cone and plonked it on Callum’s head. About to berate her daughter, Flick noticed Lisa and beckoned her over.
Lisa smiled. ‘Look, it’s Flick; let’s say a quick hello.’ The words slipped out naturally before she considered the fact that she, Flick and Nathanhad not all been together since the night of the prom. And as if that didn’t make the situation awkward enough, Lisa began to recall all of the silly comments Flick and Melissa had made about firemen.
Nathan seemed reluctant, but followed Lisa as she made her way across the road, dodging cars attempting to find their way out of town – avoiding roads already closed for the parade.
As Lisa neared Felicity and Melissa she mouthed ‘Behave,’ and gave them a ‘don’t you dare’ glare, resulting in them doing shocked faces, portraying false innocence and giggling by the time they actually reached them.
‘Nathan, look at you.’ Felicity placed her hands on Nathan’s biceps and turned to wink at Lisa.
Oh no!Lisa wished they’d just waved from afar.
‘It’s beena really long time,’ Flick leaned in and gave Nathan a kiss on the cheek before letting him go, ‘though I think my hubby said he’s seen you at Cin Cin. He works there some nights, you might know him, Pete—’
‘No, sorry, I mean, I don’t go there often,’ Nathan interjected.
‘Oh, OK.’ Flick bit her lip. She was certain Pete said he knew Nathan, but before she could quiz him furtherMelissa was introducing herself to him, and they were making small talk about the weather being perfect for the parade and fireworks, while the children started doing a light show for the benefit of their new audience.
‘So how about you, Lisa, looking forward to the fireworks later?’ Flick lifted her eyebrows suggestively.
‘Yes, I’m sure they’ll be good,’ Lisa hissed, trying toremove any innuendo from Flick’s comment, ‘the display always used to be great,’ and failing miserably.
Felicity sniggered and Lisa blushed.
‘Anyway,’ Lisa continued, ‘we better go if we are going to get a drink before watching the parade.’ To move Nathan away Lisa took hold of his arm, a move not missed by Felicity and Melissa who smiled as they said their goodbyes.
‘IsNathan Lisa’s boyfriend?’ Alice chirped after them.
‘No, darling, he’s her friend.’
Lisa smiled in relief, embarrassing moment avoided.
‘Where’s his big hose? You and Melissa said you might see Nathan’s big hose!’
Lisa’s eyes went wide and she picked up her pace, practically dragging Nathan along behind her as he barely bothered to stifle his laughter.
The pub was warm and busy. Lisa found it almost overwhelming. It had been a long time since she had been amongst so many people in a similar atmosphere. While she loved having her own business, working for herself and by herself, looking after pets whose owners were often out at work or away, meant she could go whole days without speaking to other human beings. And while she always chatted to her furyclients they weren’t exactly great conversationalists. Lisa knew isolating herself from the world around her had become an unhealthy habit. She needed a life. She was almost thirty and, despite how sad she had been recently, she knew she was not yet ready to give up on life and what it had to offer.
Nathan returned from the bar holding a wine for Lisa and a Peroni for himself.
‘Here’s to us,’ he announced cheerily, passing her the wine and clinking glasses.
Lisa swallowed.
‘Friends.’
‘Friends.’ Lisa took a big drink of her wine.
Leaving the warm pub made the evening air feel chillier in contrast to when they had gone in. Lisa wrapped her scarf back round her neck and pulled her hat down over her ears. She felt the cold seeping into herjeans.
As they took their place at the edge of the pavement outside the doctors’ surgery, Lisa welcomed Nathan standing behind her, shielding her from the chilly breeze. They could hear the parade in the distance and see the grey haze wafting into the air caused by the torches of fire being carried. Children around them were becoming increasingly excited as their parents fuelled theiranticipation – their own enthusiasm stoked by their proximity to the pub and the swift one they had allowed themselves while waiting.
‘Here it isn’t,’ one dad repeatedly teased as his son groaned at him.
Nathan leaned down to Lisa. ‘I wish here he wasn’t,’ he whispered, sending a shiver down her spine as his breath brushed her cheek.
