‘So you don’t feel the same?’ I see her hopes rise. Daisy’s relief is obvious as her shoulders relax and her eyes soften.
I look down into my lap. ‘I honestly don’t know. It was a shock.’
She tenses again. ‘If you two get together, it will be like I’ve lost both my friends,’ she says.
‘That would never happen,’ I reply. ‘We’ll always be friends.’ But I think about the consequences if anythingwereto happen between me and Laurence; it would cause such a scandal in our friendship circle. It’s already creating toxic ripples. Daisy is hurt, and I can’t say I blame her. I’d probably feel the same if Laurence had feelings for Daisy instead of me. I already feel sick for Francesca. Laurence said he was going to end things with her regardless of what happens between me and him, but they’ve been together for years.
‘Poor Francesca,’ Daisy says, echoing my thoughts. ‘She’s going to be gutted.’
I can’t disagree.
My thoughts and emotions are spinning this way and that. His feelings towards me could either turn out to be a blessing or they could screw everything up monumentally. But, the more I think about it, the more I realise that this could actually be incredible. Laurence declaring his love could be the turning point in my life.
The moment where everything starts coming together. Instead of falling apart.
Chapter Thirty-Three
NOW
The doorbell rings, and Daisy and I both turn our heads at the same time.
‘Are you expecting anyone?’ she asks.
‘No.’ I get up off the sofa, hoping it isn’t Laurence. It would be beyond awkward for the three of us to be in a room together right now, just after I’ve told Daisy about his revelation. Her reaction wasn’t exactly a positive one.
I think Daisy has the same suspicions as to who it might be, because she scowls and stands up too. ‘I’ll get it,’ she says, marching out of the living room and pulling the door closed behind her. If that’s Laurence, this is going to be incredibly uncomfortable.
I peer through the window, but it’s impossible to see who’s down there now the sycamore tree is in full leaf, blocking the view. I’m too keyed-up to sit back down, so I fiddle with the hem of my top while I wait. Hopefully, it’s just a delivery. I’d even prefer it to be Charlotte or my dad than Laurence.
The buzzer goes and, after what feels like an eternal wait, the front door opens.
‘Is she here?’ It’s a woman’s voice, muffled by the lounge door. So, not Laurence then. I exhale, relieved beyond belief, and then I jump out of my skin as the door opens with force.
Shit. It’s Francesca.
She’s wearing a long cotton skirt, beaded flip-flops, and a loose vest top with a jade pendant. Her face is drawn and her eyes are red-rimmed and glistening with tears.
My heart squeezes under her pitiful gaze.
‘How could you?’ she cries. But it’s a sad cry rather than an angry one.
Daisy follows her into the room. She’s shaking her head and looking down at the carpet.
I guess Laurence must have told Francesca.This is a nightmare. I need to say something, but my brain has seized up. I don’t know how to begin. ‘Francesca, I—’
‘There’s nothing you can say.’ She cuts me off. ‘Laurence told me you didn’t know how he felt, but you must have had an idea.’ She sniffs and taps her foot repeatedly. ‘He’s supposed to be your best friend, isn’t he? And in my experience, you tell your best friends everything.’
‘I swear. I didn’t know until yesterday.’ It sounds like a lie even tomyears.
‘I don’t believe you,’ she replies, turning to Daisy. ‘Did you know about this too? Were you all in on it?Poor little Francesca in love with Laurence when he’s in love with Alice. Isn’t it a shame.We all feel so sorry for her.’
‘No,’ Daisy replies, holding up her hands. ‘I promise you, I literally only just found out this afternoon. Look, come and sit down, Fran.’ She puts an arm around Francesca and leads her over to the sofa like she’s an invalid.
Francesca gives in to Daisy’s ministrations. She seems to shrink into the sofa.
I still don’t know what to say. I’m heartbroken for the girl. She obviously loves Laurence and she probably thought, like the rest of us, that they’d end up together, get married, start a family.
‘It’s just so out of the blue,’ she says, almost to herself, rubbing at her bare arms. ‘If I’d had an inkling. If he’d been distant, or moody, or been pulling away from me. But there were no signs at all. He’s been the perfect boyfriend. I can’t even get my head around it.’
