“Why do women need so many cushions? I don’t get it. It’s like an addiction.”
We don’t have lots of fancy things at our place. We didn’t want to make it too homely because the plan was always to buy our own place. We would have loved a house like this with its huge driveway at the front and the beach as our back garden. Scott loved the beach. In fact, we talked about buying a house near here one day. I sigh out loud as I remember the dreams we had but will never fulfil together.
With a lot of effort, I drag myself out of bed. My attention is immediately stolen by the view of rolling white waves outside. The blue sky and golden sand spark a need to take in the sea breeze, but I struggle to open the window. This is an old house with ancient catches. Although the whole place has been renovated since Ash and Calla bought it a few years ago, they kept some of the original features.
I take a seat by the window and watch Zoe jump up and down on her trampoline. Soon, she will have two little siblings to play with. I bet she’ll love that.
She reminds me of Calla when she was younger. Few people can claim to have known the new Mrs Chambers for as long as I have. For a long time, she thought she was an only child, and I find it sad that she and Scott didn’t find out they were brother and sister until they were in their early twenties.
The person Scott used to be in secondary school was so different from the person he grew into. He was the school bully and targeted Calla back then. It’s a shame. Deep down, he wasn’t that person. It all came about because of his circumstances.
His father was a bastard. I’m glad I never met him. He gave Scott’s mum a terrible time with all his affairs and the drinking. That poor woman suffered so much and died at an early age of a terminal disease. Life is cruel and my husband went through the mill, but Scott survived, and it made him stronger. The man I married. The father of our child. How ironic that, in the end, he was also taken too young.
My hand runs over my stomach. “You’re going to be so strong, just like your dad,” I whisper. In the weeks since we lost Scott, I’ve neglected our baby, and I want to re-connect.
“You okay this morning, Angie?” I didn’t hear her come in, but Calla is behind me.
“Morning.” I smile. “Yes, I’m okay. It’s a beautiful day out there.” I nod towards the window, push myself up from the chair, and turn my attention back to the view outside. Calla stands in front of me, and she’s got that look on her face. Should she smile or should she not? I won’t break if she does.
“It’s sunny, which is good.”
“Hmmm.” We both stare at the view, yet I sense she wants to ask me something.
“You know what day it is, don’t you?” And there it is.
Does she think I’ve forgotten? “Yes. I know. Today we say goodbye.”
She nods. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine.” Truthfully, hollow or lost might be a better answer. “How about you?”
Calla takes my hand. “Honestly? I don’t know. This still feels unreal to me.”
“I understand.” I squeeze her hand as we continue to look out the window.
“No matter what, we’re all here for you,” she says.
“Yes. I know.” I turn towards my oldest friend and give her a hug. “I’m here for you too, but that seems to be something you keep forgetting.”
She pulls back to face me with one lone tear falling down her face. “We’ll get through this together, you and me.”
“We will.” I bring Calla in for another hug. One we both need, but when I face her again, I know this is the moment I’ve got to address what I’ve been thinking about.
“Can we talk for a bit?” She nods, and we take a seat at the end of the bed. “The thing is, I’ve been staying with you and Ash longer than any of us expected. I bet you’re sick of the sight of me by now, and I’m sure I’ve outstayed my welcome.”
“That’s not true. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
I half smile. “Maybe we both needed this, but after today, I think it’s best if I go home.”
She jolts up as if stunned. “You don’t have to. I want you to stay for as long as you want to. Okay?”
“Thank you, Cal, but I should go back to the house. I have so much to sort out for Scott’s business and his clothes are—” With my words, Calla bursts into tears. “Oh my God. I wasn’t thinking. I’m doing this too soon?—”
She sniffs. “No. It’s not that.”
“Then what’s wrong?”
Calla takes a few deep breaths. “It’s stupid, I know, but I don’t want you to leave.”
