Me. Her. Him - Chapter 31

Background: Angela is shocked when William, an old friend from her past, who she hoped never to see again, comes back into her life, after he applies for a role at her work and successfully secures the job. William’s sudden reappearance puts Angela on edge. She’s terrified he’s discovered her secret, which she needs to protect her family from. William’s convinced Angela knows what happened to his former girlfriend, Caz, who hasn't been seen for twenty years, and that something terrible happened to her. The only person, who can help Angela, is her once best friend, Michelle, but Angela hasn’t seen Michelle for more than a decade. Faced with the threat of William’s return, they know they’ll need to work together to save their future, even if this does mean reopening old wounds, and revisiting a past they'd rather keep buried.

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March 1991

‘You and William were looking pretty cosy at the bar last night.'

I snap my head round. Michelle’s keeping her focus straight on the road ahead, her expression in her face not changing. I decided to join Michelle on her run this morning. We’d spent the last half an hour running a few laps around St. James’s Park. At this time of the morning, there are hardly any visitors. It’s always a great time to spot the wildlife, and I always find it amazing that there are wild creatures in London. There’s no way I’d come here for a run when it was packed with tourists, I’d be too self-conscious of people looking at me.

We’re making our way back now, taking a slow meander through London as the sun begins to climb higher. At least my head feels clearer after last night.

‘We were . . . we were just talking,’ I say, my head feels like it’s about to split open. ‘Were you spying on us?’

‘No, I went to go to the toilet, and just happened to see you both there. It looked as though you were caught in some intimate moment with each other, particularly with the way how he was looking at you.’

‘Well we weren’t,’ I say. ‘You didn’t mention anything to Caz, did you?’

I realise she was probably analysing my responses, whenever he asked me a question last night, while we were all sitting at the table. At least she wouldn’t have been able to hear William asking me if I wanted to dance. But she would’ve been able to make an educated guess from our body language.

Michelle shakes her head. ‘Of course not. But, be careful, I’ve seen the way how you look at William, and if you get any closer to him . . . he’ll hurt you, Angela.’

I don’t say anything in response. When William and I were at the bar last night waiting for the drinks, I thought no one could see us. I can’t imagine Michelle must’ve caught just a glimpse of us on her way to the bathroom. She would’ve been watching us for longer. I’m sure of it.

This was only the second time we’d been out with William, it’s not like I’ve been fawning over him for months and months.

What gives Michelle the right to tell me what to do? Of course, nothing’s going to happen between me and William. I won’t let it happen. I’m not going to spoil our friendship with Caz.

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Character List:

Angela Watkins - Protagonist 

Paul Watkins - Angela's husband

Rebecca Watkins - Angela's daughter 

Michelle Blake - Angela's former best friend 

Kirsty - Receptionist (Angela's friend) 

Olivia - Angela's boss

William Harris - Angela's former friend 

Caroline (Caz) - Angela's friend 

Hayley - Angela's former friend

Lauren - Angela's former friend