‘When I was getting married to Katherine,’ Dave starts, ‘I was terrified.’
‘It’s not that.’
‘Have you met someone else?’
Silence.
Now my head is pounding, too. I ask again,What’s going on?
‘Do you love her?’ Dave asks.
Who?Charlotte?
‘I don’t know,’ Ben replies eventually. ‘I’ve never been so fucking confused in my whole life.’
‘Do I know her?’
Who? WHO?
‘You’ve met her.’
Silence again.
‘Who is she?’
White noise is rushing through my head. A tiny little voice inside asks, ‘Is he talking about me?’
‘I can’t tell you,’ Ben replies.
When Dave speaks again, he speaks quietly. ‘I think I know who it is.’
‘I doubt it.’
‘Lily.’
I stifle a gasp of shock. I can’t believe Dave has just said my name.
Ben doesn’t confirm or deny it. His friend is the next person to speak and I wish I could stop the words that come out of his mouth.
‘I saw the way you were looking at each other the other night. I just had a feeling. Mate, you have to stop it.’
‘Nothing’s started.’
‘Well, it can’t do. Ever. She’s how old? Fifteen? Sixteen?’
‘Sixteen.’
I feel faint.
‘Ben! Come on! She’s just a kid.’
‘She seems older.’
‘They all do at that age, but they’re not!’Please stop talking.‘Listen, I know you’re confused. Getting married is a big thing to do. But you and Charlotte are great together. It would break her heart if you called this thing off now.’ Dave continues with his words of so-called wisdom. ‘Lily is everything you feel you’re not. You’re getting older and doing grown-up things, she’s still in the prime of her youth. No wonder you’re attracted to that, but it’s wrong, mate. You’re going to have to stay as far away from her as possible until you get on that plane.’
Nooooo!I want to scream.
‘I know,’ Ben responds softly. And then, with an air of finality: ‘I know.’
