The ladies had met up around midday and now, at four o’clock, they had made it through various drinks and a round of French fries when Lily’s phone rang. Matt. “Sorry, it’s Matt: just let me get this.” Lily mumbled as she turned her head away. “Alright gorgeous?” she picked up. “Hey Lil, listen: I’m gonna be late back cos I’m heading into town after uni.” Lily frowned, “Oh, right? Whatcha doing? With who?” Riza and Natty stared at her and Lily saw Riza roll her eyes and whisper something to Natty. “Erm, with Jess. She’s in town and has family stuff going on and wanted a chat. I won’t be back too late, promise.” Lily felt her eyes well up, “But it’s my day off. You said we’d get sushi and have a night in.” She could hear Matt tense up on the other end of the line: “Yeah, we will: I’m not gonna be long.” Lily did her best to stay cool and calmly replied, “Ok, be in touch. Say hi.”
She hung up and Riza tutted. “I would really like to have a chat with that girl…” Lily sniffed loudly, “No, it’s ok: I mean they have a long history together, they experienced a lot.” Natty shook her head and laughed, “I bet they did!”
Lily pulled out her make up bag and dabbed at her red eyes. “No, not like that. They were together a really long time and I guess you just have memories and that. They managed to get over all their bad stuff. Not like Stuart and me.” Riza motioned to Patty for another round. “Sweetness, you and Stuart are a completely different matter. For god’s sake: he is a complete bugger. I just don’t want to see you like this,” she said as Natty started rummaging in her bag.
“No, it’s ok. Maybe he just needs to get it out of his system. I’ll be fine.” Natty pulled out an exquisitely expensive looking compact powder case. “There you go, dab yourself with this: it’s magic stuff.” Lily sniffed again and laughed. “Please, trust me. I’ll be fine.” Natty looked at her long and hard, “I hope so, for him!”
Lily didn’t want to admit her real feelings about the situation to the girls. An hour later they had scoffed down carrot cake with cream and a milkshake and Lily decided it was time to make a move before she started growing attached to the chair. They said their goodbyes, blew kisses and hugged over and over making plans for the next few days. Lily snuggled deep into her coat as she started making her way down the street reminding herself that Riza hadn’t told her the great news yet. She grappled with her handbag: gloves did not make finding things in your handbag easier. As she dialled her mum’s number and made her way over the road she couldn’t believe her eyes as she caught a short glimpse of Roy making his way towards home. The day was not getting better. Roy had broken her heart just as Stuart had, but he hadn’t done it quite as catastrophically. In fact, he hadn’t done much at all: Lily was to blame.
“Darling!” Lily heard Maggie’s voice ring on the other end of the line. “Where are you sweetheart? Are you outside? It’s freezing! I went out with Georgie…” (her English Bulldog); “… and he wouldn’t even go near the bushes to do his business! It’s a nightmare! Are you dressed warm enough? Darling…?” Lily felt her chest heave with a new round of sobs. “Mum? Can I come over?” There was a short silence. “Of course darling. Bring some pastries, I’ll make coffee.” And so Lily headed over to her mum’s. Just as she was ringing at the doorbell her phone beeped. “Hello darling, running a little late: will be home around midnight. So sorry, will make it up to you. Love you lots, Matt xx” She grumbled into her jacket and thought to herself, “It’s ok. He really does love you.” And with a heavy heart she scooted inside to get out of the heavy snowfall.
