‘I slept with someone else.’
‘I see.’ Vic’s voice came out oddly calm. ‘Let me guess. Ruthie, was it?’ She said the other woman’s name in a babyish voice.
‘How the fuck did you?—?’
‘Call it women’s intuition. You mentioned her in the kitchen once when I came back from Mum’s. And the night of the hen, I rang you and a woman answered your phone and said she didn’t know you had a girlfriend. Who works with someone, and doesn’t know if they have a partner or not?’
‘I’m so sorry, Vic.’ Nate came to sit on the bed. ‘Why didn’t you say anything before?’
‘I had a moment of doubt, then brushed the phone call away as I thought maybe I was just being paranoid. You’ve always had girls as friends, so I didn’t really think anything of it until now.’
‘Vic, I’m so fucking sorry.’ He went to hold her hand and she pulled it away.
‘Just a one-off, was it?’ Vic felt tears threatening to break free. Nate was silent for far too long. ‘That’s a no, then. You just told me you loved me, and you’ll have kids if I want them.’
‘You’re different, Vic. That was different.’
Vic’s voice lowered. ‘When else?’
Nate remained mute.
‘When else?’ Vic shouted again.
Nate faltered. ‘That weekend you were at your mum’s.’
‘See. I knew it!’ Victoria felt sick as the tears started to flow. ‘You tried to fuckmethat night too! What is wrong with you?’
‘Me and you weren’t having sex, Vic. The girl put it on a plate. She’s left work now. She wanted more from me, but I said there was no way I was leaving you, that it’s you I love. It was just lust with her – it meant nothing! And I’m so, so sorry. You mean everything to me.’
‘So why tell me now?’
‘Because it’s been eating me up inside, Vic.’
Amidst the anger and pain, Vic felt a sudden rush of relief: the burden of being the cheater somewhat lifted. This would be the ideal time to throw her own infidelity hat into the ring. To say,I understand exactly what you are saying because I’ve done exactly the same, too. And I’m sorry. Really fucking sorry.But two wrongs didn’t make a right and she clearlywasa coward. Nate laying himself bare had weirdly made her respect him more than ever. But could she forgive him? Because knowing he had slept with someone else was hurting her a whole lot more than she had expected. She got off the bed and started frantically getting dressed.
‘What are you doing? Come here.’ Nate tried to pull her into an embrace.
‘I want to go home.’ Vic’s voice wobbled.
Nate sighed. ‘It’s late, we’re both pissed, and you’ll never get a train back to London at this time.’
‘Then I’ll find Orla and stay in her room.’
Nate blocked her escape route. ‘This can’t be the end of us. Please, Vic. It honestly meant nothing. I love you. I properly love you. I will do anything to make it up to you.’
Vic put her hand to her head, her face pained. ‘I just need time to think. OK? I’m so bloody confused. About everything.’
‘OK, but travel home with me tomorrow, please. We can talk. I just had to tell you. I respect you too much.’
Vic shut the door behind her and rang down to the hotel reception. ‘Hi there. I’m staying in room 205 with Orla O’Malley and I’ve mislaid my key. Could you send someone up to let me in, please?’
Vic awoke alone in a king-size bed. Her head was pounding. Groaning, she reached for her phone and checked her messages.Nothing from Nate, but a late-night reply from Orla saying that she had pulled ‘a live wire’ and would come straight back to the room as soon as she was up.
Vic took in the fancy hotel bedroom – the headboard, crafted from reclaimed wood, adding a connection to the surrounding countryside. She had been so distracted when she had got there that she hadn’t bothered to shut the heavy red curtains, so long decadent windows let in natural light and allowed for views of the rolling hills and lush gardens that surrounded the charming Cotswold-stone listed building.
She was just about to make herself a cup of tea when Orla came tearing in, slammed the door shut dramatically and flopped down on the love seat in the window alcove. Her smudged smoky-eye make-up made her look like a panda, and her hair had settled itself into a gloriously huge afro. ‘Jaysus, Vic, I’m so sorry I gave a cock more importance than you. I didn’t see your message untilsolate.’
‘Honestly, it’s fine. I was so pissed I crashed out.’ Vic took in her mate’s unkempt appearance. ‘Orla, just look at the state of you!’
