‘I actually ended things with Seth a couple of days ago,’ I blurt out.
Miriam doesn’t reply straight away. She blinks her cat eyes slowly and sips her drink. ‘I’m sorry,’ she finally says. ‘Are you okay?’
I sigh. ‘Partly relieved, partly devastated.’
‘I get that.’
I love the way Miriam doesn’t ask a hundred questions. She’s calm and supportive without judging or digging for more information.
‘I just don’t feel the same way about him any more,’ I add. ‘But now I feel a bit all over the place. With Martin moving in here soon, I have to move out and find somewhere else ... Not that Daisy’s kicking me out or anything. She said I can stay as long as I like. But I know that’s not fair on her.’
‘Parents?’ she asks.
I shake my head. ‘They’d have me back but it would drive me crazy. No, I need my own space. I’m going to look for a little one-bedder to rent.’
‘Sounds good.’
‘Unless ...’ I glance at Miriam. ‘Don’t suppose you’re looking to move out of your parents’ place and want to get a flat together?’
She shakes her head. ‘If I were, you’d be the first person I’d ask. But I’m saving for a deposit. Trying to get on that elusive ladder.’
‘Don’t blame you. I should probably do the same. We were going to move into Seth’s parents’ cottage, but now ...’ My stomach feels as though it’s dropping away.
‘You’ll be okay,’ Miriam says. ‘Having your own little cosy flat will be lovely.’
‘You’re right.’ I nod, feeling a little more cheered by her words. I glance down at the sofa as my phone pings. It’s a WhatsApp from Laurence:
Just to let you know, I did some digging and Damian definitely still lives in Wales, so no need to worry about him x
I exhale and close my eyes briefly before banging out a quick reply:
Thank youxx
‘Everything okay?’ Miriam asks.
‘Yeah, all good. Just Laurence confirming something for me.’
‘Oh, okay, cool.’
‘Anyway, how’s work?’ I ask, unwilling to get into a discussion about Damian. I’d be happy to never have to think about him again. I only hope that Laurence’s discovery is accurate. Just because Damian lives in Wales doesn’t mean he can’t come back for a visit. My skin grows hot then cold at the thought.
‘Work is definitely not as enjoyable without you there,’ Miriam replies.
I’m happy Miriam’s here to take my mind off my ex. Even if talking about work makes me feel strange. The office seems like worlds away. A foreign land I haven’t visited in years. ‘AndCharlotte?’ I ask.
‘Awful. Worse, if anything.’ Miriam looks glummer than I’ve ever seen her.
‘Why?I thought she’d got over herself. She’s been kind of okay since the hen weekend. Almost human. What’s happened?’
Miriam blows out a noisy breath. ‘Since ... the wedding’ – she hesitates over those two words – ‘Charlotte’s gone right back to her old self. Rude, snooty, sucking up to Paul even more than before. Revelling in the fact you’re not there. And ...’
‘Andwhat?’ I ask, not sure if I want to hear the answer.
‘I didn’t want to add to your worries, but the main reason I wanted to come over is to let you know ... I think your career plans might be in danger.’
My first instinct is to dismiss Miriam’s worries. Work and office politics are the last things on my mind right now after everythingI’ve been through. But, even so, I can’t help my chest constricting at her words. ‘In danger? How?’
‘Sorry, I know that sounds over-dramatic, but she’s definitely gunning for the partnership position.’
