After a moment, Abby gently says, “Sara? We’re sorry.”
“Yeah. Same,” Gemma says, half-heartedly.
Millie doesn’t say anything because she’s the youngest and Abby already spoke for her. I laugh into my cup, exasperated. I guess at least it’s better than crying. When I turn back to them, they’re all looking at me, wide-eyed and apologetic.
“Yes,” I say finally. “I spent a lot of time with Gus from Just4Summer while I was away.Things,” I shake my head, heat warming my cheeks, “happened.”
“Did you sleep with him?” Millie asks. Because, of course, when all is said and done, that’s the real juice. It’s all that matters. Even if it’s none of her business and I’d never ask them same of her. The fact that she readily gives up that information is beside the point.
I raise my shoulders and twist my lips. “Maybe.” But they continue to stare. “Fine. Yes. Yes, I did.”
All three of their mouths pop open, their jaws practically on the floor.
“But you’re not allowed to tell anyone!” I warn, pointing at them.
“I shagged my window cleaner,” Gemma says. Which…Huh?
Millie covers her face. “I gave one of Dad’s cadets ablowjob behind the Portaloos at the summer fundraiser.”
“Millie!” I exclaim. “That’s aw—”
She holds up a finger, pausing me mid-sentence. “Before you judge, Gemma’s window cleaner is in hissixties. Oh, and the rule is youcan’tjudge.”
“And I had a one-night stand at some randomer’s house after clubbing a few weeks ago and he paid me a wad of cash because he thought I was hooker,” Abby adds. “Apparently the going rate for a shag is two hundred quid.”
Millie and Gemma both start chuckling at Abby whose cheeks have gone an alarming shade of red.
“Ok?” I don’t understand why they’re telling me this.
“Now you have dirt on us. So, your secret is safe.”
I laugh, unsure what to do with that information. “I don’t know if that’s how it works.”
Millie holds her hands up, as if I’m overthinking it. “Well, it works for us.”
“I’ve added you to the group chat,” Abby says smiling. “Sister.”
After that Abby helps me clear the plates into the dishwasher as Gemma and Millie work out how to reheat the apple crumble I also ordered from the local pub.
We finally sit down again, spooning our deserts.
“So, was he good?” Millie asks, a cheeky glint in her eye.
“At dancing?” I ask, innocently.
“Sure. Naked dancing.”
“Millie. I’m your sister.”
“Come on, Sara,” Gemma goads.
“I’m not telling you guys that. What I will say… is he was fun to be around.”
“I bet he was!” Millie squeals. “So, you’re really not speaking to him anymore?”
I shrug like it’s of no importance and not physically hurting my heart every time I think about him, like I missed something, like I left my person behind. “No.”
“Why not?”
