The bell rings, indicating the end of break. I’ve never been more thankful for that ear-splitting sound.
“Just take some time to think things through before you go jumping in. I don’t know much about Rhys or your relationshipwith him, but I know you weren’t happy. These last few weeks you’ve been living with the hot chef, you’ve walked taller and smiled bigger than I’ve ever seen. Do what’s right foryoufor once.”
Vi starts to walk away, leaving me lost for words. As she reaches the door, she turns and leans against the frame, making room for the children to file past her and find their seats.
“Also, full disclosure, hot chef has asked me to keep an eye on you and report back on your wellbeing. Would Rhys care enough to do that?”
Would he? He’s been a lot more attentive over the last couple of days than he was during the last three years of our marriage, so I’d like to think so. So why is there doubt niggling at the back of my mind? And as for Connor asking Vi to keep an eye on me, I’m speechless. Yes, Connor is a natural nurturer, but I’d expected him to jump at the chance to be rid of me.
He doesn’t actually care; he probably just wanted an excuse to keep in touch with Violet. She’s young, fit and gorgeous – much more his type.
I blink away my daze when I notice thirty young faces staring at me.
“You okay, Miss?” one of the girls asks from a table at the back.
“Yes, fine,” I answer, snapping back into teacher-mode. “Just thinking about how much fun we’re going to have with fractions today!”
Thirty voices groan in harmony, and I begin my lesson.
If I don’t acknowledge the phone ringing, it will stop, right?
Who am I kidding? I’ve ignored three of Ivy’s calls thisafternoon and she just keeps hitting redial. I let out a relieved breath when the phone stops buzzing on my desk and there’s a few seconds’ silence. Hopeful she’s given up so I can speak to her when I’m ready, I go back to my pile of marking. But my relief fades when my phone beeps with a message.
Far more comfortable with messaging than phone calls, I open the text.
Ivy
I know you’re ignoring me
Connor told me you’ve moved out
What’s going on?
Me
I’ve moved back in with Rhys
I figure keeping things simple would be best. I’m proven wrong seconds later when Ivy calls me again. She knows I’ve seen her messages now, so ignoring her isn’t an option anymore. Reluctantly, I answer.
“Hey, Ivy, what’s up?” I say casually, trying to hide my anxiety.
“Why the hell are you back with Rhys after what he did to you?”
Ivy is usually a placid, softly spoken woman, but she can be intimidating when she wants to be. I’ve witnessed it a few times over the years, but I’ve never been on the receiving end, and I hope never to be again.
“He’s my husband,” I sigh, fed up of having to explain myself. “We owe it to each other to give it another go.”
“You owe him nothing. You gave him everything for years while he was out fucking bimbos. You have every right to move on with your life, find someone else.”
My head spins at the thought of rejoining the dating pool. If I weren’t with Rhys, I would rather live the rest of my life alonethan try to find someone who would be interested in me again and be constantly rejected. It’s highly unlikely anyone but Rhys would ever want me anyway; he said so himself. At least this way, half the battle is done. Now I just have to work hard to keep him interested.
“I’ve made my decision, Ivy. I appreciate your concern, but I really don’t want to talk about it anymore. I love you, but this is none of your business.”
“Of course it’s my business!” she shouts in frustration.
“How?”
“Because you’re…” Ivy pauses for a second, seemingly conflicted about how to finish that sentence. “Because you’re my best friend. I just want you to finally have what you deserve, and that isn’t being married to Rhys. I’ve thought that for a long time.”
