Curiosity gets the better of me and despite my better judgement, I nod.
“There’s a coffee shop just over there in the middle of the mall.”
I follow her. There’s no bounce in her step the way there used to be. Her hair that was so perfectly coiffed is lank and hangs down over her shoulders.
This isn’t the same woman who tormented me in school.
“What sort of coffee did you want?”
“Umm, a latte?”
She places an order and points at a table. I guess at leastwe’re in public and she can’t prank me. I’m not sure why I even think about that after all these years—maybe it’s engrained.
We sit at a table on opposite sides.
“So, how are you?”
I stare at her. “You wanted me here to ask me how I am?”
“No! I mean, yes, but there’s more I want to say to you. Are you living in Auckland?”
I shake my head. “No, but I’m moving here soon.”
She chews on her bottom lip a moment. “I’m sorry about your parents. I heard about the accident.”
Interesting. If she’d still been in touch with Patrick then he’d have known about it too. I’m sure she wouldn’t have been able to keep her mouth shut.
“Thank you.”
The coffees arrive, and she dumps three spoons of sugar in it and gives it a stir.
Who is this woman?
“I really need to give up the coffee. I drink way too much of it. It doesn’t help my nerves.”
“I bet.”
Her cheeks flush with colour. “We didn’t sleep together that night. I was so upset and hurt that he dumped me—especially when it was you.”
My brows rise.
“I mean, I knew if we split he’d go straight to you. He felt bad for a long time before the two of you got together for the way he’d left you behind when he started high school. But I think he felt stupid and didn’t want to admit it. He got so angry when Dave helped pull that prank on you, and he punched him in the face over it.”
I swallow hard. “I saw you two together.”
She nods. “I uhh … do you remember Kelly Banks?”
I nod. She was one of Vicki’s close friends and had her share of nasty remarks for me.
“Her mum was on Valium. We crushed one up and put it in Patrick’s drink. He said he was waiting for you—I wasn’t even invited. But by the time he realised I was there, he’d had his beer and was feeling tired. We helped him into bed.”
My head swims. “Did you …”
“I never touched him. Not like that. We took his shirt off and pulled the covers over, and I got in with him. I took my top off. We were fully clothed underneath the covers. I just wanted to hurt you.”
“We broke up over it.”
Guilt swamps her features. “Dave said he saw you that night and how upset you were. He was so angry at me when I told him what I’d done.”
