“Thanks.”
“So, let me get this straight,” Simone begins, “you’ve sold your wedding dress and you’re moving out of yours and Matthew’s flat—”
“And I’ve booked myself on to some yoga classes,” I add. “Time to give clearing my mind another shot. I think I’ll be better at it this time round.”
“Fucking hell.” Simone exhales. “Is this all down to a chat with your mum? Because I could really do with getting my shit together and taking control of my life, so if she’s got any free time…”
I laugh as our food arrives, leaning back and waiting until our plates have all been set down before continuing the conversation.
“Mum did say a few things that hit home, but it’s all been a long time coming,” I admit, admiring how good all the dishes look.
“Hang on, I’ve been meaning to ask you, did you ever meet up with Matthew after Dublin?” Cali asks, frowning.
I take a deep breath. “No, I didn’t. He didn’t reply to my messages or pick up my calls.”
“Sorry.” Simone puts down her fork angrily, having not even had the chance to try her beef yet. “Let me get this straight. He calls you several times when he knows you’re in Dublin at a wedding, he tells you he misses you and wants to meet up to talk it through, and then… nothing?”
“Right.” I nod, paying great attention to cutting up a tomato.
“I thought he promised to message you,” Cali says, absolutely stunned.
“Yes, he did. But then, he also promised to marry me, so I have a feeling he might not be a man of his word.”
“I’m sorry,” Simone says again, more forcefully this time, her temper beginning to show itself. “He called you, aftereverythinghe’s done, and then when you called back, he ignored you?”
I nod, chewing my mouthful. “I never should have picked up.”
“He never should have called you!” Simone rages. “He never should have said those things! This isoutrageous!”
“I know, right?” Ruby shakes her head.
“He shouldn’t get away with this,” Cali says firmly, her forehead furrowed.
“He won’t. Not if I have anything to do with it,” Simone seethes.
“Oh my god,yes,I love it when Simone’s rage rears its head!” Ruby declares, a smile breaking across her face. “Remember when you laid into that guy for kissing someone else when he was meant to be seeing Cali?”
“Alfie!” Cali says, bursting into giggles. “I missed it because I was crying in the loo, but I remember the look on his face when I emerged and he was genuinely terrified.”
“Yeah, well, I bet he thought twice before lying again,” Simone huffs. “It’s simple, if he wanted to kiss someone else, then he shouldn’t have made things exclusive with Cali. Honestly, I have no time for cowards.”
“Amen,” Ruby mutters under her breath.
“Freya,” Simone says, turning her attention back to me, “he never deserved you. Never in a million years.”
“I just can’t believe this is how he’s acted,” Cali comments, looking disappointed. “I’m so sorry, Freya.”
“Don’t be, I’m fine,” I tell them with a wave of my hand. “I’m absolutely f—”
Matthew. He’s there.
“What?” Simone asks, her eyebrows knitted together. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“Oh, fuck it,” Ruby whispers, having followed my eyeline. “Don’t turn round, you two. Honestly, don’t.”
“Okay,” Cali says slowly, putting down her glass. “Why? Who is it?”
“Matthew,” I croak quietly, my whole body tensing as I watch him being shown to his table just a few tables from ours. “And he’s with someone.”
