The Perfect Girlfriend(72)

When I run out of negative things that Nate and James have to say about me, I check out Bella’s blog, which bores on about her wedding dress fittings and how she and Miles are attending the opening of a new restaurant later this evening. I read a comment on Facebook in response to one of Amy’s friends asking about her Christmas plans – she and Rupert are planning to spend it in Paris.

Everyone is happy but me.

I stand up and shrug on my coat, fully intending to go straight home, but I spot a window full of red and black lingerie. It gives me an idea. I go inside.

When I leave with my purchases, I feel uplifted; I finally have a focus.

On my way home, I also stop at a DIY store. Now that I own a property, it’s undoubtedly a wise investment to stock up on some basic tools.

I let myself into Nate’s after dark. Even though I’d rather do something malicious and vengeful, I stick to what I came to do.

Whilst I’m busy, words flash through my mind.

Mendacious. The One That Won’t Go Away.

He is slipping away – and soon, there will be nothing more I can do about it. Legally – for now – he’s still mine. I still have a chance, although I’m starting to fear that my change of tactics could backfire unless I try much harder.

I walk back home, taking a longer route than necessary by walking around the Green in the opposite direction.

In the flat, I sit on my new bed and look at all my photos. I shake them out of the albums and tip them all over, so that I am surrounded by memories.

I need a distraction.

Maybe it will be a good idea to pay Miles a visit at the restaurant opening Bella mentioned earlier on her blog. He’ll be bored, standing around in her shadow. I’m sure he’ll easily be enticed away, delighted for a chance to escape for a while.

Before I can talk myself out of it, I grab my bag and coat, then rush downstairs to my car. I tap in the postcode of the Asian fusion restaurant. I don’t message Miles beforehand, I want my spontaneity to be a lovely surprise.

I put my foot down hard on the accelerator once I’m on the motorway and break the speed limit. It feels therapeutic as I mull things over in my mind.

Thank God I have Miles’ part-time attention. Without him as a distraction, I’m not sure how I would keep it together quite so well.





25


I peer through the restaurant window. At first, I can’t pick Miles or Bella out in the crowd, but I soon spot Bella holding court with a group of women. Miles is slightly further back, talking to a tall man.

I want to walk in and stand in a proprietary fashion at his side, slipping my arm through his or openly flirting with him. Instead, I text him.

I’m in your neck of the woods, fancy slipping away for a while? X

I watch as he takes out his phone, glances down, then puts it back in his pocket. He continues his conversation. I sit down on a freezing bench opposite.

Five minutes later, I text again.

??X

He reacts in exactly the same way. I call. He takes out his phone and we are immediately disconnected.

A surge of rage rushes through my entire body. I push open the door to the restaurant and walk into the warm aroma of spices mingled with incense. I stop at the side and lean against the wall in Miles’ line of vision. He stares for a second before recognition hits, yet he does not smile or come over to greet me.

I seek out the Ladies and phone him. No answer. As I’m about to press his number again, a text comes through.

What are you doing here? Bella’s with me!

I text back.

So what!? All you had to do was speak to me like a normal person, there are loads of people here, I could be anyone. At least have the manners to reply to me.

As I send the message, the door opens and in walks Bella.

I drop my phone into my bag and quickly wash my shaking hands, staring down. She enters the middle cubicle. I head for the exit, but stop as I change my mind. I was in here first. I stand in front of the mirror and remove a lipstick from its home inside the inner zip section of my bag. My phone vibrates. Miles. Let’s see how much he likes being ignored. I bet he’s in a right old panic, which serves him right. I take a deep breath to calm my inner agitation.

I jump when the cubicle door opens and Bella emerges. She stands next to me washing her hands. I stare at her in the mirror whilst slowly applying my lipstick. She looks up. Recognition filters through her expression as I inhale the scent of musky vanilla. She still smells expensive.

‘Elizabeth? From school?’

My legs feel wobbly. In one of my many fantasy versions of our meeting up again, she apologizes profusely and begs me to be her friend.

Just the tone of her voice reminds me how futile my wishes have been.

‘Hello, Bella.’ My voice sounds calm.

‘Hi. What are you doing here?’ She pulls a hand towel from the holder.

‘The same as you, I imagine.’

‘Yes, quite. Do you live here?’

‘A close friend does.’

I replace the top of my lipstick and rub my lips together. Taking a final look at my reflection, I turn towards the door and she follows. A frowning Miles is hovering by a nearby pillar. I stop and turn round to face Bella.

‘Bye,’ I say, as loudly as I can, without it sounding too obvious that my final exchange with Bella is for Miles’ benefit, then I continue walking towards the exit, leaving them both behind.