Read Online The Love of Her Life by Harriet Evans - Free Book Online Page B

Andrew. She tried to picture his face, mortified, in the darkness. She felt her cheeks flame red; she raised her hand to her face. It was another life.
    ‘He’s – no-one, really,’ she said. ‘Someone Betty’s always trying to set me up with.’
    ‘Oh!’ Zoe said, too loudly again, like this was a jolly, great conversation between two normal friends. ‘Oh you!’
    ‘No,’ said Kate flatly. ‘I kissed him and then I felt sick and had to get into a cab and run away. If you want the truth.’
    Zoe’s brow furrowed. ‘Right.’
    ‘Nothing really to talk about,’ Kate said. ‘Honestly.’
    Zoe took the hint. ‘So, then. That’s – great. So, how’s the flat? Did the tenant leave it in a state?’
    ‘No, it’s fine actually,’ said Kate. ‘I’ve unpacked, it’s nice to be back there.’
    ‘Yes, it must be.’ Zoe ran into the kitchen, collecting the wine out of the fridge. ‘Is it – er, is there a lot of stuff in it still? From … before?’
    ‘Yep.’ Kate took the glass she handed her. ‘Most of it’s in the storage area in the basement. But quite a lot’s still in the cupboards in the hall. Just – you know. Books. Photos. Clothes I should have thrown away years ago. Joint stuff we had together.’
    ‘I’m the same,’ Zoe said. She waved her hands around. ‘Too much stuff of Steve’s around, still. It’s been a while now. Why can’t the bastard come and pick it all up eh?’ She smiled, her eyes filling with tears.
    ‘I know,’ Kate said, inadequately. She could feel her heart, hammering away in her throat, it seemed. This was it, now. ‘Look, Zo –’
    ‘Can I say something?’ Zoe interrupted her, her voice high, nervous. ‘Darling. Can we just – catch up, you know? Not have some long, awful, depressing conversation that leaves us both in tears and makes us feel hugely guilty?’
    ‘But –’ Kate had come expecting that; she deserved it, she was guilty. But Zoe put her hand on hers.
    ‘Look, Kate. Darling Kate.’ Her eyes were bright with tears. ‘Do you know how much I miss you?’
    ‘Zoe –’ Kate said, easy tears coming to her eyes. ‘I –’
    Zoe interrupted her again. ‘This is what I mean. I miss you so much. There’s so much to say, and so much I want to know about. I don’t want to sit here having a maudlin conversation about all the shit that’s happened. It happened. You ran away.’
    ‘I did.’
    ‘But I’m the one who kicked you out.’
    ‘No, you weren’t.’
    They were facing each other.
    After a few moments, Zoe sighed, deflated. ‘It doesn’t matter. Oh Kate. I was furious with you, but now you’re back so, oh, please let’s not waste time being apologetic and wringing our hands about it all. I want to know how you are .’
    She sat back on the sofa, and nodded her head solemnly.
    ‘But –’ There was so much Kate could say to this, and she fumbled for words.
    ‘I mean it,’ Zoe said, almost fiercely, and Kate saw that she was struggling with emotion, emotion that threatened to overwhelm her. Kate nodded back.
    ‘Right. Of course,’ she said.
    ‘Yep,’ said Zoe, recovering herself quickly. ‘Cheers, darling Kate. Cheers. Welcome back.’ She stood up, and Kate followed suit. ‘God, it’s good to see you again.’
    Their glasses, clinking heavily together in the quiet room, made a harsh, clanging sound. After they’d each taken a large sip, they both sank into the sofa and looked at each other.
    ‘So really, how’s your dad?’ Zoe said first.
    ‘Yes,’ said Kate. ‘He came out of hospital this morning. Um, he’s OK. Not great, actually.’
    ‘How is Loosa?’
    This was the childish name she and Kate had given Lisa after her appearance on the scene, over six years ago. Loosa made them cackle for hours in the pub, at Kate’s flat, and so on. Even Charly tried to claim she’d thought of it. It was less of a joke when, after about nine months together, Loosa and her dad announced they were expecting a baby and were