‘What do you mean?What do you mean you’re moving to London?Josh,’ I called over the young waiter.‘Could I get some wine, please?Anything really—’
‘Sure, Lydia.’ Josh smiled.
Casey reached out, stilling me with a touch.‘Lyd.’
‘I’m fine.It’s just,’ I squeezed my eyes shut.‘London?Really?’
Casey exhaled, her brown eyes steady and warm.‘I got a place at Central St Martins.’
‘Oh, my God.’ I suddenly felt like the worst girlfriend on the planet.‘Casey, that’s amazing!I knew you could do it.’
Casey had been developing her craft as a print-maker for the last year.She started making greetings cards, wedding invitations, and now she made handmade prints that Kat loved and stocked in her store a few doors down.But Casey really wanted to train formally, and she had mentioned applying for Central St Martins, the world-renowned arts and design college in London, a couple of times.But then she’d said it as a throwaway comment, like she hadn’t liked her odds.It was competitive, not to mention expensive.
Casey gave me a tight smile.‘Thanks.’
‘It’s a full-time course.Two years.My uncle has offered me a room at his to stay, rent-free.So I’d only need to get a part-time job to pay the fees, plus I can use some money I have saved.’
I nodded, my mind whirling, trying to keep up.
‘Okay.That’s fine,’ my voice squeaked, but my heart was clenched tight, an ache blooming in my chest.‘We can make that work.’
‘Lydia.’ Casey’s face was marred with sympathy, her fingers squeezing mine gently before pulling away.‘I don’t think we should do long-distance.’
‘Long-distance,’ I scoffed.‘It’s three hours on the train, Casey.That isn’t long-distance.’
‘You work evenings and weekends.It wouldn’t be fair.I know how much you love your job.’
I should have told her about my day, about the pain aching in my chest.But I couldn’t shake the feeling I’d ruin her day and sour her good news.
‘I can work around it.’
It’s not like I have a job now anyway.
‘I really like you, Casey.I think we could make this work.’
She paused, studying my face.‘I don’t think that’s a good idea.’
For the second time today my stomach bottomed out.She was serious about this.She was going to end it.My pulse thudded.
‘I don’t think we should do long-distance.’
‘But why?’ I leaned forward.‘Things are so good.We moved in together.’
‘I moved out this morning.’
My breath caught in my throat.‘What?When – when did you find out about the uni course?’
‘A couple of weeks ago.’
‘Casey,’ I croaked.
I could barely swallow.Casey had been planning all of this – plotting all of this – while she’d been sleeping next to me.While we discussed what to make for tea or idly chatted about our day.She had been plotting to leave me the entire time.
‘I know, I’m sorry.’ She rubbed a palm over her face, smudging her eyeliner a little, but then she reached across the table, brushing a stray hair behind my ear with such tenderness it took my breath away.‘I didn’t know how I felt.I didn’t know how I felt until now, and now I’m sure.’
‘You’re sure about breaking up with me,’ I repeated, needing the information to sink in.
‘I think it’s best,’ Casey said with a tight-lined mouth.
