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The air in Shawlands was charged, everyone excited for Lovefest’s closing party this evening.
However, Holly wasn’t feeling it.
She checked her hair in the deli’s basement mirror for the thousandth time. She’d considered braiding it, but had gone with a messy bun instead. She just didn’t have the heart.
She tapped on her cheeks, willing this mood to leave her.
Jen was excited. They’d be meeting soon; hopefully her good mood would rub off on her.
She should be buzzed. In a few hours she could be a couple of grand richer, and the woman she’d fallen for had told her she loved her last night.
But Jen’s words had felt like a chokehold on her heart. She couldn’t afford to fall deeper with Alison still here. No matter what Jen said, Holly knew it wasn’t over. Not on Alison’s side, anyway.
Footsteps on the stairs caught her attention.
Memories of her first day flooded back. Little did she know what the month was going to hold.
However, it wasn’t her mother this time.
‘You good?’ Chloe asked, her eyes finding Holly’s in the mirror.
Holly sucked on her lips. ‘Not really.’
‘Good job I brought this then.’ She held up a bottle of wine and two plastic cups.
‘You’re a mind reader.’
Chloe looked stunning. She’d styled her long red hair in an elegant updo, perfectly offsetting the cut of her dress, accentuating her perfect figure. Holly wished she’d found the energy to do her hair properly. Too late now.
‘Come, sit,’ Chloe said, patting the tatty sofa in the corner of the basement.
Holly did as commanded, holding the cups for Chloe as she poured. ‘Can we just cut to the chase. What’s your prognosis?’
Chloe sighed, managing a half-smile. ‘It’s a tough one.’ She took a sip of her wine. ‘I hated Alison when they were together, and even more when they broke up. We never got on.’ Another sip of wine. ‘The problem is, she's all sweetness and light in the public eye, but really she's a slimy, sneaky snake. She’ll be up to something.’
It was good to talk to someone who got it. Someone who’s first comment wasn’t about how Holly was probably overreacting. She needed a straight opinion, and nothing else.
‘So how do you get rid of a snake?’
‘Cut off its head?’ Chloe stifled a laugh. ‘Sorry, sorry, not helpful.’
Holly downed a glug of wine, letting the heat of the alcohol settle in her bones. ‘I trust Jen, you know that, yeah?’
‘Of course.’
‘I just can’t help feeling something bad is going to happen.’
Chloe nodded. ‘I know. And seeing Alison’s video must have been heart-wrenching, but Jen loves you. Just focus on that.’
Holly went to chew on her thumbnail, but remembered she’d just painted them, so lightly tapped her lip with it instead. ‘I’ll just be so much happier when she goes back to London.’
‘A few more days and you’ll be rid of her. Then you and Jen can get back to your little love bubble.’
Holly’s breath wavered. It felt like it had already burst. Their honeymoon period was over, the brakes pulled by a sharp shock of reality.
Chloe gave her knee a squeeze, picking up the reluctance. ‘Does Jen know you’re feeling like this?’
