by Sue Horsford
Happy Birthday, Francesca. You’re in my thoughts, not only today, but all day, every day.
Mark.”
In the heavy silence that fell, Frankie’s blood pounded in her ears. She stared as Jess leant forward and placed the letter on the coffee table, her actions playing out as if in slow motion.
“Come and sit down, Franks,” Claire’s voice sounded, so close, yet strangely far away, and Frankie realised that her friend had her by the elbow and was trying to guide her into the nearest chair.
She jerked herself free. “I’m going to be sick.”
Knowing there was no time to try to make it upstairs to the bathroom, she stumbled for the kitchen and retched over the sink, her insides a turmoil of anguish and bitter anger at the memories churned up by Mark’s words. The things she’d worked so hard to push aside all came rushing back—the shock, the pain, the free fall as her happy, loving world had been pulled from beneath her feet.
Sucking in what air she could, Frankie gripped the worktop and fought to get her spiralling emotions under control, afraid of what might happen if she truly let herself go. God, hadn’t she been through enough sickening hurt because of that bastard already? Wasn’t he content that he’d already torn her life apart once? What made him think he had the right to barge back into it and make her feel like this all over again?
What made Jess—the traitor—think it was okay to let him?
Shaky and sweaty by the time she was done bringing up the past, Frankie turned on the tap and scooped handfuls of cold water to rinse the foul aftertaste of betrayal from her mouth. Straightening, she brushed away Claire’s efforts at fussing, and, without sparing a glance at the others, faced Jess who hung back in the doorway.
“I can’t even find the words to tell you how pissed off I am with you right now.”
Jess stood unflinching in the face of her anger, her eyes glistening with emotion as she nodded. “As long as you’re feeling something, Franks, that’s fine by me.”
The words were as unexpected as a slap. “What? What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“It means,” Jess took a breath and spoke carefully, “that it’s time for you to stop hiding behind anger, and work, and fear, and begin dealing with this situation.”
“Excuse me?” Frankie felt her eyes pop wide in astonishment. “I’ve done nothing but deal with this situation, as you put it, since the night my husband came home and told me he’d been with another woman.” Her voice rose, tight with outrage that she was under attack from her supposed best friend. “In a few short months I’ve ended my marriage, moved out of my home, set up house and started to build a new life for myself. What more do you expect me to do?”
Jess’ eyes were pain-reflecting pools. “Frankie, this isn’t a life. Look at you, look at this place. You’re not dealing, you’re reacting. There’s a big difference.”
Glancing around the room for support, Frankie couldn’t believe it when not one of her friends came to her defence, their solemn, silent expressions telling her they all sided with Jess. Talk about being kicked while you’re down. “Well, how’s this?” Frankie pushed the words out through clenched teeth. “I’m reacting to your ridiculous accusations and dealing with them by asking you to leave. Right now. All of you.”
“But…what about dinner?” Sarah Two mumbled into the tense silence that fell.
Frankie turned on her. “Do you honestly think I could stomach a single mouthful after this?” she spat, then, seeing her friend recoil with hurt, drew a calming a breath. “Sorry.” She rubbed her forehead. “Look, I realise you all probably think you’re helping.” She made a point of looking at everyone in the room apart from Jess. “But trust me—you’re not.”
Claire reached out and gave Frankie’s arm a gentle squeeze. “We’re sorry, too, Franks. The last thing we wanted to do was upset you. It’s just the letter seemed so open, so honest, we actually thought hearing it might help.”
How her closest friends could get something like that so wrong was beyond Frankie. “Trust me. There’s nothing to be gained by listening to anything he says. Mark made his choice and, in doing so, forced me to make mine. If it turns out now he doesn’t like it, that’s too bad for him. I don’t need to know about it.”
“That’s fair enough.” Karen nodded in understanding. “Let’s not let it spoil your birthday, eh? There’s a bowl of linguine and glass of Chianti with your name on down at Lorenzo’s.”
Frankie shook her head. “I really can’t.” All she wanted was to be left alone. “I’ve got a killer headache coming on. Maybe we can do it another time?” Like next year? Perhaps she’d feel up to it by then. Perhaps not.
The ensuing plethora of protest was inevitable, but Frankie remained insistent. As her friends filed past her on their way out of the front door, Jess, the last in line, stopped on the threshold and turned to Frankie.
“This is for you,” she said, digging a wrapped present out from her bag and holding it into the tense space between them. “It was meant as a joke, but I doubt you’ll see the funny side now.”
Frankie took the rectangular-shaped box without meeting Jess’ eyes. The atmosphere around them felt heavy with the weight of expectation, but she didn’t have the energy left to deal with all the things that needed to be said. She settled for offering a stiff “Thanks,” instead, before closing the door just a fraction too forcibly on her friend’s heels.
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About the Author
I am a qualified hypnotherapist and Reiki practitioner living in the North of England with my husband and soul mate. Over the years I must have started and abandoned over fifty novels before I decided to try my hand at writing erotica. Finally I had a finished novel and a new hobby all in one. I never realized writing could be so much fun!
Email: [email protected]
Sue loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at http://www.totallybound.com.