Me. Her. Him - Chapter 51

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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April 2000

Caz remained true to her word. She hasn’t been in contact since the day she came round to see us, and January seems like a life time ago now. I’m not sure if I could really face seeing her again after what happened.

Even though Michelle kept persuading me to speak to her dad, about getting the money for the course from him, I kept declining. The hardest part was having to tell Mum what happened. She would’ve been thinking in her head they made the right call not to give me the cash, considering how careless I was with it. She tried to tell me not to worry too much about it, but I could hear the disappointment in her voice as she spoke. I’m sure she would’ve been straight on the phone to my sister to tell her what had happened, telling my sister how I’ve messed things up again.

In the end, I bit the bullet and spoke to the guy at our local Waterstones I usually speak to, and asked if there were any jobs going. And he managed to get me a job, which brightened my spirits a bit. I still pass the flower shop, on the odd occasion. I always keep my head down and cross over to the other side of the street, to avoid Stevie. The one time I did look, I noticed there was someone new working there. No doubt Stevie’s told her new employee all sorts of scathing things about me. What Stevie would say to me if she bumped into me in the street? Perhaps she’d just ignore me altogether.

‘Listen guys, I’ve made the decision. I’m going to move back with my parents for a while,’ Lauren says over dinner.

We’re getting on for the end of April now. The lighter nights are beginning to return. I wanted to sit outside this evening, but Hayley complained it was too cold still.

I stare at Lauren, my mouth dropping open. This is news to me. She’s been showing no signs that she isn’t happy here.

‘How long have you been thinking about this?’ I ask.

Everyone else is staring at her too. Even Michelle.

She shrugs. ‘Since New Year’s, which feels like ages ago now, doesn’t it? Don’t get me wrong I’ve loved spending time here with you guys, but I feel like it’s time to move on to the next phase in my life. I’ll still be coming down for loads of visits. I just fancy spending some more time with my parents. They’re getting older, and, I guess I want to spend as much time with them as I can.’

Hayley looks like she’s about to turn into a blubbering wreck.

‘But . . . but you can’t go,’ Hayley says.

I don’t know what to say. Michelle says nothing, but continues eating her food. It’s as if she’s been expecting this. Why do I always get the sixth sense she knows far more about what’s going on than I do?

‘I’m not moving to the other side of the world, Hayley,’ Lauren says, pulling her in for a hug. ‘And like I said I’ll definitely be coming back to visit.’

Hayley’s face has screwed up. I can tell now she’s thinking there’s no way she wants to stay here without Lauren.

‘When are you thinking of leaving?’ Michelle says which makes Hayley look even more annoyed.

It’s Michelle’s tone, she almost sounds relieved.

‘Soon,’ Lauren says. ‘I spoke to my parents last night and they’re coming down to pick me up at the weekend.’

‘Has.’ I wonder if I should say what I’m about to say next. ‘Has something happened at home to prompt this?’

Lauren’s looking down at her plate. Her silence pretty much confirms something has happened. But why won’t she tell us?

‘I’ve lost my appetite,’ Hayley says, before getting up and disappearing into her bedroom.

Lauren gets up from her seat and follows her, leaving just me and Michelle sitting at the table.

I look at Michelle. What’s going on in her mind now? Will she want to move on as well? Or will she relish the idea of spending time here alone with me, especially now that Caz and William are no longer in the picture?

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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