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“Stop it. It was so embarrassing, especially after I’d been boasting about my cycling skills. That will teach me.”
“And… and… he had to… carry you?” Maddie struggled to get the words out between giggles.
“He was super kind actually. My knee still hurts like hell. Mind you, so does the rest of my body. I’m so out of shape.”
“Yeah, you must be if you’re still aching four days later. How’s your week going?”
“Oh, so-so. I’m getting a bit bored, to be honest. I’ve got more guests arriving on Saturday, but I think I need to get myself another job, or maybe do some volunteering till I figure out what I really want to do.”
“You’re regretting the move?”
“No, not really. I guess I just haven’t found my purpose yet. It’s bound to take a while to settle in.”
“Yeah, of course. Hey, I’m not sure you want to hear this, but I saw Alex the other day.”
“Saw? Saw how?”
“Bumped into him in Co-Op. He didn’t look too good.”
“What’s happened?” Kate, who had been lounging on her bed, sat up straight, pressing the phone hard to her ear. “Is he OK?”
“Oh, he’s fine, it’s only his pride that’s wounded. Jess finished with him.”
“Finished with him? But why?”
“No idea. He didn’t say she’d dumped him in so many words, it was more what he didn’t say that gave it away. I actually felt a bit sorry for him.”
“Do you think I should call him?”
“No! Why would you do that?”
“Because it sounds like he’s hurting and could do with a friend.”
“Friend my arse. Don’t you be going down that road again. Promise me you won’t. You’ve only just started standing on your own two feet. I like this new version of my best friend and don’t want to lose her again to Alex’s evil clutches.”
Kate laughed. “You’re so over-dramatic, I think you missed your calling as an actress. Anyway, I’ve always been independent.”
“Bollocks have you. I can’t remember the last time you made a decision without checking it with him first, or me, for that matter.”
“That’s not true. And anyway, I decided to come down here, didn’t I? Maybe I’m not as hopeless as you think.”
“Maybe.” Maddie didn’t sound convinced. “Anyway, have you thought about Christmas yet? It’s only a few weeks away. You can come up here and spend it at my parents’ if you like? You know they’d love to see you.”
Kate smiled. Ever since her mum died, Christmas at Maddie’s childhood home had become a tradition. Alex had always been too busy with his own family, but Maddie’s parents welcomed her with open arms.
“I’ve not really thought about it, to be honest. You know I’d love to come to yours, but part of me wonders if it might be nice to spend it here, you know, first Christmas in the house and all that.”
“Well, if you won’t come to me, I’ll come to you.”
“But what about your parents? They’d be devastated!”
“Not on Christmas Day, you idiot. I could drive down early on Boxing Day. It could be fun.”
“That sounds brilliant. I’d love for you to come. I was going to invite Bob round on Boxing Day, too.”
“Ah, the lovely Bob, it would be great to see him again. How are you two getting on?”
“Yeah, good. Obviously, he’s my hero after the cycling incident, but he goes a bit weird sometimes.”
