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“At the office Christmas party.”
“But Alex doesn’t work in your office?”
“Yeah, remember I told you there were lots of different companies going to be there? Well his was one of them.”
“How long had you wanted to sleep with him?”
“I hadn’t! Oh fine, anyone with two eyes in their head can see he’s gorgeous.”
“Boring gorgeous.”
“Sorry?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“Anyway, looks aside, I’ve always thought he was a right dick for the way he treated you. I don’t know what came over me that night. The only excuse I have is that I was pissed out of my skull. I don’t even remember it happening. I only knew when I woke up and he was lying beside me.”
Kate sat in silence, waiting for Maddie to go on.
“Well, anyway, he didn’t remember much either, so we agreed to pretend like nothing had happened. But then my period was late.”
“Did you know you were pregnant when you came to stay with me at Christmas?”
“No, not for certain. There were a few signs and I was going out of my mind, but I hadn’t done a test at that point.”
“You made me feel likeI’ddone something wrong!”
“I know, I’m so sorry. I hated myself, and that hatred turned me into a grumpy cow.”
“When did Alex find out?”
“I told him that morning he drove me to the station.”
“So that’s why he rushed off home early. You do know he’d been talking about us getting back together?”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be, you’re welcome to him. He might not have known about the baby, but he knew he’d slept with you, and still tried to get into my knickers. Bastard.”
“Kate, I know I’ve hurt you, but…”
“Sorry, I don’t think I can hear any more. And anyway, your five minutes is up. Good luck, Maddie. Please don’t contact me again.”
Kate stood and walked out of the restaurant with her head held high. It was only as she stepped into the cool winter morning that the tears began to flow.
CHAPTER FORTY
“YOU LOOK WORSEthan Moira the morning after her twenty first,” said Joy, walking into Kate’s living room. “Goodness me, girl, it stinks in here. What is that smell?”
“Me.”
“Right, well I’m going upstairs to run you a bath.”
“I don’t want a bath.”
“You need one. How many days have you been rotting in here now? Four?”
“Five.”
