Hannah put her coffee cup down, got up from the armchair, and sat down next to her on the sofa. She reached out and placed a gentle hand on hers. ‘You don’t have to tell me what’s wrong, although forgive me, but I’m guessing it’s to do with breaking up with your ex. You know, a wise old lady once told me a problem shared is a problem halved.’
‘I can’t imagine what sort of problems you’d have,’ Bridie blurted, ‘with your successful business, husband and child.’ Bridie’s eyes went wide. She stood. ‘Sorry, I’d better leave. I don’t know why I said that.’
Hannah looked up at her. ‘I do. I know why you said that.’
‘Look, I’m sure whatever problems you’ve had …’ she trailed off deciding it was best to just shut her mouth before she said anything else she’d regret.
Bridie was heading for the door when Hannah said, ‘Yeah, I’ve had my fair share of problems – a prison stint after stealing from my best friend, and my child nearly being taken into care, if it wasn’t for my best friend stepping in.’
Bridie slowly turned around and stared at the young woman. ‘You went to prison?’
‘Doesn’t seem possible, does it, that I’m a convicted criminal?’
Bridie gaped at her.
‘Now, I don’t know you, but I’m guessing by the look on your face that whatever problems you have, you haven’t broken the law or spent time in prison.’
Bridie vehemently shook her head.
‘Or got pregnant at a party, at seventeen, and then went from one bad relationship to another, like me, dumping my child on my best friend whenever I felt like it.’
Bridie stepped towards her, still shaking her head.
Hannah added, ‘It took a very bad decision on my part, leading to a stint in prison, to finally realise I couldn’t carry on the way I was if I didn’t want to lose my child. My best friend gave me a second chance. And now here I am, having turned my life around completely, running my own business, or businesses, and I’ve finally met the man of my dreams and got married. But this …’ Hannah swept her arm around the shop, and then pointed at her rings, ‘none of this has come easy. I had help. I needed help. But I did it. And if I can pick myself up, so can you.’ Hannah patted the seat beside her for Bridie to join her again.
Bridie resumed her seat, turning to Hannah. ‘Didn’t you have parents who could help you out?’
Hannah shook her head. ‘I don’t usually tell people I’ve just met about my history, but I wanted to show you that no matter how bad you think things are right now, there is always, always a way to turn things around and find the life you’ve always dreamed of. But here’s the thing … like I said, I had help. And whatever is going on in your life right now, and you don’t have to tell me, but I’d like to help you, if you’d let me. I’d like to be that friend to you that my best friend, Lili, was to me.’
Bridie burst into tears yet again. After hearing Hannah’s story, she realised things weren’t as bad as all that, really. She had parents who she could stay with indefinitely, even though it wasn’t ideal. Even so, she told Hannah what had happened atthe theatre the previous day, and about returning to her parents’ house after all those years away, with her life in tatters – her relationship finished, her career in the theatre over, and feeling such an utter, utter failure.
She didn’t expect Hannah to be that sympathetic when she heard that Bridie wasn’t homeless or penniless and wasn’t a single parent. ‘I feel so bad now about bursting into tears, feeling sorry for myself. After hearing your story, I feel really embarrassed. What have I got to be unhappy about?’
Hannah surprised her by taking her hand. ‘You’ve been betrayed by your partner. I know how that feels, believe me. And you’ve lost the career you love. All in one go. And here you are, back where you started. It must feel like a massive backward step.’
Bridie could feel the tears running down her cheeks.
‘I’m not saying that to upset you more. I guess I don’t want you to think that just because you haven’t been through the same as me, that it diminishes what you have been through. Like I said, I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t had some help. I want to help you, Bridie.’
Bridie didn’t want charity; what she needed was a job to earn some money and pay her way. She wanted to pay for her keep at home; money towards her food and even the household bills while she was there.
‘Just tell me how I can help,’ Hannah said earnestly.
‘You wouldn’t have a job vacancy in one of your shops, would you?’
Hannah grinned. ‘Funny you should ask me that …’
Chapter 16
Bridie stared at Hannah. She had actually been joking when she’d asked about a job vacancy. Not that she’d say no to shop work. She wouldn’t turn down any job to bring in some money.
‘I do need a shop assistant. I just hadn’t got around to advertising.’ Hannah’s smile faded. ‘But it’s not going to be awfully well paid, and it’s going to be quite boring compared to your profession.’
‘I’ll take it. Oh, god – I’ll take it. I mean … I’ll apply for it. Of course, you’re not going to hand a job on a plate to someone who has just walked in off the street.’
‘Why not? You seem like a nice person. And you’ll save me so much time and expense advertising the position and carrying out interviews. I’ve been dreading it. And to be honest, it doesn’t mean I’ll find anyone, or anyone suitable after all that.’
‘But you don’t know if I’ll be suitable.’
