‘Well, this is an unexpected surprise,’ Lucien said smoothly. ‘Enjoying the band?’
‘Yes,’ Lara said automatically.
‘You remember Shane, don’t you?’ he asked, indicating another man who’d followed him across the room, and who now nodded at Lara.
‘Yes,’ Lara said again, recalling that Shane – Lucien’s old friend – was as vain and self-absorbed as Lucien was.
‘I’ll get some beers in,’ Shane said to Lucien. He didn’t offer to get Lara anything – not that she cared and not that she would have accepted if he did. But it said a lot about the man she was dealing with. ‘Where are you sitting, Luc?’
Lucien looked at Lara and gestured at the empty chairs at her table. ‘Are these seats taken?’
It was tempting to say yes, but Lucien would know full well that they weren’t. He’d probably been watching from a dark corner for a while before he’d come over, gauging her situation, and it wouldn’t have taken him long to figure out that she was there alone.
‘I didn’t think so,’ he said without waiting for her answer. He looked at Shane. ‘These look as good as any, don’t they?’
Lara wanted to say that he couldn’t sit there, and even Shane looked faintly surprised by the suggestion, but Lucien just sat down anyway, leaving his friend to go off to what was by now a busy bar. On stage, Theo had just launched into some free-form riff and it was all disconcertingly reminiscent of the night when she’d last been here with Lucien, when he’d tipped her life upside down and she’d repaid the favour by tipping her drink over him.
‘Where’s Siobhan?’ Lara asked.
‘We’re not joined at the hip,’ he said.
‘I never said you were; I was just asking.’
‘Are you afraid you won’t be able to trust yourself around me if she’s not here?’
‘That’s not funny,’ Lara said.
‘I’m not trying to be.’ He looked at the stage. ‘The saxophonist isn’t half bad. Is it him I hear you’re banging?’
‘Your manners haven’t improved then,’ Lara said. ‘Still crass. Why are you here?’
‘I’ve come to see the band, like you.’
‘Then please go and see them from another table.’
‘I like this one. I like the view.’
When he said this he looked directly at Lara and she knew he wasn’t talking about the view of the stage. What was he getting out of this? Was it some kind of power trip? What was there to enjoy in this confrontation? She shook her head slowly.
‘There’s something seriously wrong with you.’
‘Do you think so?’
She turned back to the stage and tried to focus on what was happening there. Theo was looking their way now, a deep frown creasing his forehead.
‘Go away, Lucien.’
‘OK, I think you’re right,’ he said.
Lara turned back to him. ‘What does that mean?’
‘There’s something wrong with me. Well, not with me, but I did something wrong.’
‘What the hell are you talking about?’
‘I wonder… I wonder if I chose the wrong friend after all…’
Lara stared at him. ‘Are you serious?’
‘Deadly. Have you ever known me joke?’
‘You are a joke,’ Lara said with a scathing laugh.
He grinned. ‘You always did look sexy when you lost your temper. Why do you think we had so many arguments?’ He leaned forward, so close that she felt sick. ‘The make-up sex was amazing, wasn’t it? The things you did with that pent-up aggression. Remember the time we—’
‘Stop it!’ Lara shouted. ‘I don’t know how I ever let you touch me!’
Lucien leaned back in his seat. ‘I don’t know why I wanted to.’
‘Well then, let’s just call it a draw, shall we? You can leave me alone now.’
Lucien didn’t make a move. He just folded his arms and looked at Lara as if scrutinising every inch of her.
‘Does Siobhan know where you are tonight?’
‘Of course she does.’
‘But she’s not here.’
‘She didn’t want to come.’
‘Strange that. You knew I was going to be here, didn’t you? Did Chas tell you? I suppose so,’ she added, replying to her own question as she worked it out. ‘I suppose Theo would have told him and of course he’d have told you. While we’re at it, why don’t you tell me why you’re spreading so much shit about me? Why did you feed Chas all those lies?’
‘Of course I didn’t know you were going to be here. And did you really think you were so important that I’d rush to be here if I had? And lies? Tut tut, Lara… And you accuse me of being vain.’
‘Don’t bullshit me. I know what you’ve been saying. You can deny it all you like but it won’t wash, because I know you too. You knew I was going to be here tonight as well, and that’s why Siobhan isn’t here. Don’t think I’ve forgotten about those texts. Do you think Siobhan would be happy if she knew about those? Do you think she’d be happy if she got to hear about the things you’ve said to me tonight?’
‘She’s such a wet weekend I doubt she’d do much about it even if you told her.’
Lara’s eyes widened. ‘I knew you could be vile, but… that’s my friend you’re talking about!’
‘Was your friend.’
‘It still matters to me what happens to her. Why are you doing this? If she’s what you say she is then why are you with her?’
‘I never said I didn’t want to be with her.’
‘Do you love her?’
‘So you’re still as naive as ever…’
‘Then what do you get out of it?’
Lucien paused for a moment, scrutinising Lara in that unnerving way again. ‘You used to be ever so compliant, ever so agreeable. I’d clap and you’d jump. I used to think I liked that about you, but now I see the new you I’m not so sure I don’t like this one better. It’s more of a challenge and much more rewarding when I win.’
Lara bolted up out of her seat. ‘I don’t know what I ever saw in you!’
‘Oh, I think you do.’
‘Just leave me alone, Lucien. Stay out of my life!’
She didn’t look back as she marched out of the club. Theo would need an explanation later, of course, and she felt bad that she couldn’t stay for the whole show. Even as she walked, not daring to look back in case she caught the smug grin she knew Lucien would be wearing, she could feel Theo’s eyes on her, watching her leave. Maybe he’d even be hurt and angry that she’d gone and maybe she’d have to talk him down, and she was sorry for that too, but what else was she meant to do? Lucien would have prodded and prodded and he wouldn’t have left her alone until she’d snapped.
Even in the few minutes they’d spent talking she could feel him getting the upper hand. She’d never go back to him, of course, but even knowing that he was exerting any kind of influence over her, affecting her in any way, was enough to make her feel desperate and helpless. His behaviour tonight was no shock, but what she couldn’t understand was why now, after he’d left her alone for so long. Was it because their paths had crossed and he’d been reminded of her existence? Was it because he was bored with Siobhan? Was it because Lara was dating Theo? Maybe there didn’t even need to be a reason; maybe he just did it because he could.
The sounds of the club faded as the doors closed behind her, heat giving way to cooler air as she stepped onto the street. She began to walk to the nearest taxi rank. A quick glance behind her told her that Lucien hadn’t followed her out, though, the mood he was in, she’d half-expected him to. He was just lucky she didn’t have Siobhan’s phone number anymore, because she would have been sorely tempted to phone and tell her exactly what Lucien had been up to.
She stopped dead on the pavement. She didn’t have Siobhan’s phone number, having deleted it when their friendship had ended on such bitter terms, but she did know where she lived. As far as she was aware, Siobhan and Lucien had yet to m
ove in together and Siobhan was still in her old place. Lucien shouldn’t be allowed to get away with this. Someone needed to tell Siobhan, and why shouldn’t it be Lara? It wasn’t like they had a friendship to wreck – though Lara still valued what they’d had before, despite what she’d often told herself. She still cared that this man was obviously using her ex-best friend for reasons clear to nobody, maybe not even himself.
She’d go, tell Siobhan, and what Siobhan chose to do with that information afterwards was down to her; at least Lara would have done the decent thing. She would have wanted to know if it had been the other way around and she was certain that Siobhan would too.
Fifteen
Siobhan opened her front door, and the look of astonishment on her face might have been comical under different circumstances.
‘I know,’ Lara said, ‘you weren’t expecting anyone and certainly not me. Can I come in? It’ll only be for a minute and I don’t think you’d want to hear what I’ve come to tell you on the street.’
Siobhan hesitated, rocking back and forth slightly on the balls of her feet as if subconsciously trying out the two different options of out or in the door. Then she gave a short nod.
‘I suppose you’d better.’
Lara stepped into the hallway. It was still painted pastel pink, as it had been the last time Lara had been to visit, but the harsh yellow of the lightbulb that hung from the ceiling washed it into a strange, yolky colour, and it wasn’t doing much for Siobhan’s complexion either. In fact, now that Lara looked properly, Siobhan seemed exhausted. But then, it was late and perhaps she was on her way to bed.
‘Do you know where Lucien is tonight?’ Lara asked.
‘Of course I do,’ Siobhan said tetchily, in a voice that sounded offended, as if Lara was questioning their relationship and Siobhan’s trust of Lucien. But then, that was exactly what Lara was about to do.
‘So you know he’s at the Emerald Lounge.’
‘Yes, you already know he goes there a lot. I don’t always fancy it – Lara, what’s this about? What’s going on?’
‘Do you know he texted me after Chloe Rowley’s wedding?’
‘Why would he do that?’
‘Come on, Siob; I don’t want to have to spell it out.’
‘I think you do.’
‘You must believe that it gives me no pleasure to come here and say this…’
‘Say what? Stop beating around the bush. You seem to have something very important to tell me so why don’t you just get on and say it?’
Lara paused, almost wincing. Now that she was here she didn’t want to have this conversation, and yet, she felt certain it was the right thing to do. Siobhan wasn’t going to make it easy though. She must have known to what Lara was alluding, and yet she was determined to make her spell it out.
‘Really, Siob? You’re going to make me say it? Why do you think he texted me?’ she asked slowly.
‘I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me?’
‘I can do better than that – I can show you…’ Lara reached for her phone.
‘I don’t want to see,’ Siobhan said. ‘I know what you’re going to show me, but he wouldn’t have meant anything by it; it’s just what he does – you know that.’
‘So that’s it? You have to accept it? You’re just OK with it?’
‘Whatever you think it meant, it didn’t. He’s a natural flirt; he can’t help it. He’d never go off with you even if he said it.’
‘Funny – that’s what I used to think. And then look what happened.’
Siobhan shook her head. ‘We’re different. He’s different with me than he was with you.’
‘What makes you so sure of that?’
‘He’s still with me, isn’t he?’
‘How long have you been together? About a year? And how long was he with me? Oh, I think about a year… Are you seeing a pattern yet?’
‘We’re not splitting up.’
‘You’d be the last to know if he wanted to. Like I was when he went off with you.’
‘We fell in love.’
‘I thought we were in love too. I thought the same as you.’
Siobhan shoved her hand out to show Lara a diamond ring. It was big and ostentatious and everything that Lucien was – all show. It was probably as fake as him too, Lara thought privately, but it jolted her. She had to admit that in all the time she’d been with Lucien she’d never received any commitment of that sort, no physical symbol of an intended future, no matter what he might have said about their relationship.
‘We’re getting married.’
‘So I heard. Have you set a date? Booked the church? Told his parents?’
‘I have a ring. Isn’t that enough?’
Yes, Lara thought, but does that really mean anything where Lucien is concerned?
‘He’s never going to marry you. And even if he did, is that really the life you want? You know what he’s like – you’ve just told me as much. You can’t be OK with that.’
‘When you’re in love you take the rough with the smooth, don’t you?’
‘Siobhan, I’m saying this because of the friendship we once had. You can’t trust him and you don’t deserve that life.’
‘You’re saying it because you’re jealous that I mean more to him than you did. You wanted to be the one, you wanted the ring on your finger—’
‘You know that’s not true. I told you everything when we were together and I never once mentioned marriage. And I still think this engagement will fall through.’
‘Well, I suppose when we’re celebrating on our wedding day you’ll be proved wrong, won’t you?’
‘Open your eyes, Siobhan, please! OK, maybe he will marry you but life with him will be horrible! You know how he can be; you must do!’
‘Just because it was horrible for you, doesn’t mean it will be the same for me.’
Lara fixed her with a frank gaze. ‘Do you want to know what he was doing in the Emerald Lounge. What he said to me?’
‘Stop it!’ Siobhan cried. ‘You’re just trying to break us up!’
‘After a whole year? If I’d wanted to do that I would have done it before now.’
‘You can’t move on! You never forgave us for falling in love and you can’t stand that we’re getting married now!’
‘I’m sorry, Siob,’ Lara said quietly. ‘We may not be friends now but I have to say these things because I don’t want to see you get hurt and – believe me – he will hurt you.’
‘Just because it didn’t end well for you doesn’t mean it will end the same way for me.’
‘It would end the same way for anyone because the only person Lucien loves is Lucien. Nobody else is perfect enough for him.’
‘You don’t know that – he’s changed.’
‘He looks like the same old Lucien to me.’
‘You’re wrong,’ Siobhan cried, red blotches climbing her neck now. ‘You’re wrong! You’re jealous and mean and spiteful and you’ll do anything to wreck our happiness! I never imagined you could be this evil. Why are you doing this to me?’
‘I take no pleasure in it, but my hand has been forced. I’m doing this because Lucien chose now to start trying to unravel my life again, to undo the progress I’d made. I’d come to terms with you two being together – I mean that. I’d come to terms with it because I had no choice, and I’d kept my mouth shut about so much, but I can’t keep my mouth shut about this. He was coming on to me, Siob. I have no idea why, but I’m not mistaken or wrong about this. I know when someone is coming on to me. Maybe he thought it would be funny to play us both… I don’t know. But he’ll never be faithful to you because it just isn’t in his make-up and tonight has proved that—’
‘You never came to terms with us. You’re here now because you heard we were getting married – that’s it, isn’t it? He told me about all the things you’d said, all the lies you’d told about us, and I didn’t want to believe it because you were supposed to be my friend. You didn’t think
we’d last, you thought he’d come back to you, but he’s not and you can’t stand it!’
‘You’re wrong. I wouldn’t have him now if he was the last man on earth. I’m with someone now and I’m happy. I just don’t want to see you go through what I went through.’
Siobhan barked out a spiteful laugh. ‘Oh, I’ve heard all about your new man.’
The hairs on the back of Lara’s neck prickled and she suddenly felt cold. ‘What does that mean?’
‘He doesn’t care about you – he’s using you.’
‘No—’
‘The bike, they call you. He only wants you for sex.’
Lara felt the blood drain from her, the roots of her hair to the tips of her toes going numb.
‘No,’ she whispered. ‘Who said that? Not Theo?’
‘Everyone.’
‘You mean Lucien?’
‘Chas told him. It’s what everyone in the band says about you.’
‘Lucien’s lying.’
‘You come here painting me as the victim, holier than thou, telling me how sorry you are for me. Save your pity for yourself because you’re the victim here; you’re the one being played.’
‘That’s not why I came—’
‘The bike,’ Siobhan repeated. ‘She’s a bit rusty but climb aboard and she’ll go like the clappers—’
Lara lashed out and, when she realised what she’d done, Siobhan was holding a hand to her cheek.
‘Very mature,’ she spat. ‘Thank you for proving to me once and for all that Lucien was telling the truth when he said you were as mad as a box of frogs.’
Lara’s eyes filled with tears. The palm of her hand tingled and burned from the blow she’d just landed, a wretched reminder of an instinctive step too far she’d instantly regretted, but one that had caused damage she’d never be able to undo.
‘Siobhan, I’m so sorry. You know me, you know I wouldn’t—’
‘I don’t though. I thought I did but all these years I was wrong about you; I couldn’t see what you were really like. It’s easy to be friends when everything is going well, but this was the test and we failed. You failed.’
The Break Up: The perfect heartwarming romantic comedy Page 18