“I don’t understand but if that’s how you feel then you do need to tell him. I suppose he is a little overbearing. He’ll probably contact us to try and talk some sense into you like he did when you had that falling out a few weeks ago.”
I’d forgotten about that. The last few weeks had been a blur while I got ready for filming as well as working at an exotic vets in Essex, commuting some of the time back to London and Matt and my flat.
“Just make sure you don’t tell him that you’ll try to talk me round.”
She laughed. “I won’t. I’ve been trying to talk you round for thirty years, Serendipity. Hasn’t worked yet. How’s Dubai?”
“Hot. Sandy. The hotel is probably impressive but I’ve been too tired to take much of it in.”
“How’s Callum Callaghan?” Her voice changed, became softer. She remembered him from college, everyone remembered him. The beautiful boy with the soulful eyes and the laugh that enchanted a room full of people.
“The same as ever.”
“He’ll have a nation falling at his feet when this programme is aired. This will change your life.”
“We’re just the vets on it, mum. The presenters will be the bigger stars.”
She made a noise that suggested she didn’t agree then I heard my dad talking behind her, causing her to say a rushed goodbye as someone was at the door. Normal. They were always so normal, like I was phoning from around the corner and not from two continents away.
Matt’s number had never been in my favourites. I found it in my missed calls list, knowing it would be there because I’d usually missed several calls from him. Calls I may have seen but hadn’t wanted to answer, knowing the tone they were likely to take.
He picked up on the third ring, his greeting abrupt and irritated.
“Hey.” It was a weak opening. “I need to talk to you.”
“I can get you a plane ticket back. I’ll let you know the details.”
Typical. “I’m not coming home.”
“But…”
Time to rip the plaster off quickly. Enjoy any pain it caused because I did have a sadistic streak. “I don’t want to be with you anymore.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Serendipity. Even your parents agree that I’m the best thing to have happened to you…”
“At which point did they actually say that?” I wasn’t ready to let this go. I needed a fight and he was a good person to have this with. “When did they tell you that?”
“Every time I see them. They’re grateful that I’m taking a chance on you, given that you’re so flighty and imbalanced.” He sounded thoroughly pissed off.
“I don’t consider myself either of those things.” I didn’t. I wasn’t just lying. “I know my own mind. I know what patterns I work off in how I like to be away and then return to check everything’s okay. I understand myself and I know myself well enough to get that you’re dragging me down.”
I heard a noise that sounded like a pissed off horse whinnying.
“You don’t get to break up with me, Wren. You know that don’t you. Think about it: who else is going to be able to put up with you? Offer you something that means you don’t have to work like you do…”
“I like working. I liked you. Back when we were having fun and dating. You loved my job and what I did. But now it’s all about me reducing my hours. I don’t want that and you’re trying to force something on me that isn’t for me.” I was surprised with how calm my tone was. And how little emotion I felt.
“We still have fun. But it’s clear that I’m going to be the breadwinner and I need you to support me. For fuck’s sake, Wren, I want you to support me. Be a team!”
“I’m not good at being a team.” And nor did I want to be. I was good at looking after myself, which made me sound like a selfish fucker. I considered myself a good friend and I tried to be a good daughter, but ultimately I worked best when I could make my own decisions.
“I guessed that with the way you agreed to this reality TV show. How do you think that’s going to look for my career? You need to forget this and come home. I’ll pay whatever it is to get you out of your contract.” He sounded resigned, as if this was the outcome of our conversation. Argument even.
I braced myself against the wall, the white fluffy towel soft against my skin. “I’m not coming home and leaving the filming. I’m sorry Matt, but I’m calling you to break up with you. I’m not happy being in a relationship with you.”
“Is this because of that Callum or whoever you’re out there with? Are you fucking him?”
No, no, thrice no. I had never fucked or been fucked by Callum Callaghan. Nearly. But that was eleven years ago. One hot night when my defences were low and he was vulnerable. I’d analysed what had happened time and time again, usually in the middle of the night when I’d thought about how things had gone horribly with the person who had been one of my strongest allies and never understood either of us.
