She opened her eyes carefully, blinking at the light, thinking that she’d tell Rav, but the expression in his eyes halted her. His voice might have been soft, but his eyes were watchful. There was no trust there. She swallowed the words she’d been about to say.
Instead, Faye looked around the room; a half-eaten takeaway sat on the coffee table along with a few empty beer cans. ‘You kept yourself busy, I guess. Dinner for one…or two?’ It was a pointed question, but she was angry and confused; and she hadn’t forgotten – or forgiven – coming home to Rav and Mallory’s cosy night in together.
‘What does that mean?’ Rav shot back.
‘You know what it means,’ she snapped, her throat tense with the words she could have said. But would it have made this better or worse? She didn’t know, and the moment had gone.
‘I can’t believe you’re still going on about that.’ He stormed out of the room and into the kitchen. He came back, holding a bouquet of flowers – blue iris and white chrysanthemums – and threw them at her feet. ‘Mallory actually felt so bad about that night she dropped these around for you earlier. There’s a note.’ He shook his head, watching as she bent to pick the flowers up. ‘She wants to be your friend, Faye. Shame you don’t want to do the grown-up thing and just get on with her.’
I’ve had quite the day, Faye thought wearily,so excuse me if I’m too tired for another argument.Nevertheless, she opened the white envelope. Inside, there was a tasteful card featuring adetail from a painting she didn’t recognise. She read Mallory’s spiky, slanted handwriting:
Dear Faye,
I’m so sorry that you thought I was being inappropriate by visiting Rav the other night. Maybe I was – I’m used to him being there for me when I feel low. Yes, we were a couple once, but now we are really ‘just good friends’ as the saying goes. However, I recognise that it’s not okay for me to just come around and pour out all my troubles to him any more; he’s got you now. I would like us to be friends, even though maybe I haven’t made the best start. I hope you like the flowers. Maybe we can go out for a coffee sometime, just the two of us? But if you don’t want to, that’s totally okay and I will understand.
All the best,
Mallory
Faye’s first instinct was to distrust the letter. But, maybe Mallory really did want to be friends, in which case, Faye had totally misread her.
‘Oh.’ She didn’t know what else to say.
‘Ohis right. Maybe you should give her a call and say thank you.’ Rav held out his phone.
‘Give me her number. I’ll text,’ she replied tersely. Rav called it out to her, looking at his screen.
‘Fine.’
Thanks for the flowers and card, Mallory. Faye x. It was noncommittal but pleasant. She didn’t expect a reply. She very much suspected that the flowers were intended as a public relations exercise to raise Mallory’s profile with Rav, rather than sent with any particular care for her feelings.
But Mallory replied almost immediately.So glad you like them. Coffee?
Faye was surprised. She didn’t really want to meet up with Mallory, but what if the girl was genuine?
She tapped out a quick reply.Sure, let me know where and when.
Mallory suggested a coffee shop somewhere in the West End in a couple of days’ time. She was definitely keen to be friendly all of a sudden, but why?
She gave Rav a bright smile.Paper over the cracks, be happy!She felt like a 1950’s wife.Don’t bring your husband your worries! He’s had a busy day. Put a ribbon in your hair and make sure the children play quietly.
‘We’re meeting for coffee this week,’ she said. He smiled, looking relieved.
‘Ah. That’s great.’ He patted the cushion on the sofa next to him. ‘Sorry if I was a bit…you know. I really was worried about you.’ He kissed her gently, and despite everything, she felt herself respond.
‘I’m sorry too. I’ll text next time.’
Rav always made her feel so cherished; his presence was always so reassuringly warm and masculine. Usually, she felt so safe around him, so protected. During the last few days, with the Mallory thing, Faye had felt horribly disconnected from Rav, and it hurt.
‘Just tell me so I don’t worry.’ He kissed her more deeply, roughly even. There was something between them that needed to be mended. Faye could feel him slipping away from her, and she didn’t want him to.
Perhaps he felt the same, because he kissed her harder and held her to him firmly. She could feel him harden against her.
There was no game playing now.
Rav growled under his breath. His hand went to the neckline of her dress and pulled hard; the top three buttons were ripped away.
Faye gasped, but Rav didn’t stop. His hands found her rounded breasts and twisted her nipples; she cried out. He kissed her again roughly, and one of his hands pushed into her underwear. She was chagrined to realise that she was already slick with wetness.
