Read Online Independent Jenny by Sarah Louise Smith - Free Book Online

thinking about him over the years, and you’ve never said?”
    “On and off, yes. I know you think this is a bit crazy, but I’m really not trying to hurt Kieran, and I do love him. I just want to see Guy, say hello, and I’m sure I’ll realise as soon as I do that this is all stupid. It’s just something I have to do.”
    “I know.”
    I didn’t really understand, but I was happy to go along with her own drama and push mine to the back of my head for a while. I couldn’t wait to see the mountains, breathe some fresh air, and somehow sort my head out. I was pretty sure I couldn’t return any more confused than I was now, anyhow.
    Finally, we agreed to go to bed. She hugged me at the door to the spare room.
    “See you bright and early. Five am, right?”
    “Right.”
    We said our goodnights and once under my duvet I texted Aiden.

    Going to the Isle of Skye tomorrow. Don’t tell Ross, I don’t want him to follow me up there. I’m pretty sure it’s over between us. Not sure what my next move is, but thinking about you a lot x
     
    I waited for what felt like ages, but was only a few minutes, for his reply.

    That’s great, would love to go there walking myself someday. Have a lovely time. I’m thinking about you too but there’s no pressure. Clear your head and we’ll talk when you’re back… Have a really nice time xx
     
    I read it a few times and then compared it with the text Ross had sent me earlier that day.

    I hope you have a nice time and miss me and come back to me, I can’t live without you so you need to find a way to forgive me. Don’t throw our love away Babe xx

    How come Ross was all about himself and Aiden was all about me?
    I closed my eyes to think about Aiden: about his strong arms, kind looks, sweet words. and that wonderful kiss … and for the first time since Ross had told me about his infidelity, I fell asleep straight away.

Chapter Thirteen
     
    The sleep didn’t last long. I was awake again at 1am. I lay in bed thinking about the photos Hayley had bought over. It seemed so long ago, and yet I could remember so much: the irrational thoughts; the mood swings; the horrible teachers and the nicer ones; the friends and enemies we had.
    As teenagers, Hayley and I had a pretty different approach to life.
    We were fourteen when she first told me she fancied Guy, and she soon set about ways to make sure something would happen between them. One Saturday morning, I was sitting peacefully in my mother’s dining room trying to get my head around some particularly boring homework when Hayley knocked on my door and absolutely insisted I came with her to the cinema. I told her I needed to get my work done but she said I’d have the whole weekend to get it done. She pleaded until I agreed and soon we were on the bus.
    “I’m starving,” Hayley told me as we got closer to the centre of town. She was always hungry, but I knew better than to mention this.
    “We could share some popcorn,” I suggested.
    “And some chocolate!”
    It was only when we were in the queue for food that I realised why she’d been so desperate to come; Guy and a few of his friends were hanging around in the lobby. He caught my eye and nodded, then came over.
    “Hello ladies.”
    I felt myself blush and looked at Hayley, who was grinning from ear to ear.
    “Hey, what film are you seeing?” Hayley asked him.
    What a coincidence, we were seeing the same film. I threw her a knowing look to let her realise she’d been rumbled; she’d obviously known they were coming and that’s why she was so desperate to make me go with her that morning. She ignored me and we spent the rest of the day with Guy and his friends; Hayley flirting and touching Guy at every opportunity, me feeling shy and embarrassed whenever one of his friends spoke to me.
    Hayley was always coming up with plans for adventures. She organised trips to theme parks or London; one time she even convinced a teacher to help her organise a weekend in