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Holly gave a half-smile. ‘I’ve not done anything special.’
‘It’s not about doing anything. You just need to be you.’
Holly exhaled slowly. What do you say to that? ‘We’ve got you to thank for all this.’
Chloe chuckled, the threat of tears lessening. ‘It just felt wrong. No one kisses someone like that and doesn’t have feelings.’
‘I just never thought she’d like me back.’
‘Don’t worry, I’ll be ribbing her forever more about her bloody mixed signals.’
Holly swallowed, feeling like there was still something not being said. This conversation was lovely and she didn’t doubt Chloe’s sincerity for a heartbeat, but still, you could light a match with the air around her.
‘You really needing the loo or do you want to go back inside?’ Holly asked, eager to wind things up.
Silence. Chloe chewed her bottom lip. Holly braced herself.
‘Holly, we’re both looking out for Jen, yeah?’
‘Of course. I’m not going to hurt her.’
The church stole Chloe’s attention again. She sighed, her breath fractured. ‘It’s not you I worry about.’
‘No?’
‘If I tell you something, do you promise not to freak out?’
Too bloody late for that, but okay.‘Of course. What’s wrong?’
Chloe rummaged in her bag, finally producing a phone. ‘Ryan’s phone,’ she offered with a half-smile. A few clicks and Facebook popped up. She breathed in, breathed out. Holly’s heart picked up pace with every second. ‘I’m showing you this because I don’t want you seeing it, freaking out, and telling Jen. Okay?’
Holly shook her head. ‘Depends what it is.’
‘Fair.’ Chloe found what she needed and passed the phone to Holly. She pointed at a comment. ‘There.’
Holly read it aloud. ‘Ae Rae: Looking good, Jen. But then you always do.’
Chloe sucked on her top lip. ‘She’s commented on all your Lovefest pics. She’s blocked me and Jen blocked her, so she’s not seen it.’
‘Is that Alison?’
‘Yep.’
Words escaped Holly. She passed the phone back to Chloe, feeling like a deflating balloon. ‘Why did you show me that?’
‘Because, like I said. I didn’t want you seeing that and putting two and two together, telling Jen, worrying something was going on.’
‘Should I be worried?’
Chloe’s eyes widened. ‘No. Course not. She’s not been back in three years. Or at least not seen Jen in that time. I just didn’t want you thinking Jen has anything to do with her.’
‘You’re sure about that?’ It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Jen; it was just that Shona had proved that even if you knew someone for nearly half your life, they’re still full of surprises. Three and a bit weeks was hardly enough to stake a claim on.
‘One hundred and fifty per cent. My main concern is you mentioning her comments to Jen.’
‘Why?’
Chloe huffed. ‘This is just because she’s suddenly seen photos of Jen online. There’s been nothing in three years. If Jen finds out Alison’s been saying stuff, she will freak out. Has she told you about the debt?’
‘A little.’
‘Yeah, well. They bought the flat together too. It’s fine, she went to a solicitor,’ Chloe said, fanning the air between them. ‘Alison doesn’t contribute, so Jen has a bigger share of the equity, but this shit is hanging over her, you know? I just see her so happy right now, more than she’s ever been. Like, a totally different person to the person I met with Alison all those years ago, and I don’t want to burst that bubble, yeah? Promise you won’t tell her?’
Holly tensed her jaw. This wasn’t how she’d expected her night to end. Tonight hadn’t just been an emotional roller coaster: it was the whole freaking theme park.
‘Yeah, sure.’
