Page 28 of Lilly
Eventually I let her go, grab her bag and together we walk into the flat. Nic kicks off her shoes as I pour her aglass.
“Wow, you’ve already had a good go at that by the looks of it,” she comments when she sees the half empty winebottle.
“Don’t worry, I’ll tell you all about it.” And as if on cue, my phone startsringing.
“Who’sLucas?”
“The reason I’m alreadytipsy.”
I go on to tell Nic everything. I can see she’s a little annoyed that this is the first time hearing it, but she understands when I explain that I didn’t want to put any more on her plate. I think she feels guilty that I felt the need to hide what’s going on in mylife.
Her mum was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago. She had all the treatment and got the all clear. Nic was convinced that was it, that she’d beaten it, but towards the end of last year her mum was getting headaches. One scan later and Nic had the news she was terrified of. Not only had her dad died when her mum was pregnant, she had lost both grandparents in the last couple of years, and now she was going to lose her mum aswell.
Nic’s incredible. The strength she has amazes me. She’s given everything up to care for her mum. She dropped out of college the first time round and never ended up perusing a career in music like she always wanted. This time, she’s given up her job, her life, everything to be her sole carer. She has some help from carers that come in daily, but every other minute of the day it’s just her. It kills me to be so far away and unable to help. Not that Nic would accept it, mind you. She is stubborn to hercore.
“Give him a break, Lil. His hotel just burnt down and he’s had food poisoning; he’s probably not thinking correctly,” Nic says once I’ve told her everything. I think she’s giving him too much credit. He knows exactly what he’sdoing.
“I’m not so sure,” Imutter.
“Anyway, enough about that. I can’t believe you had a one-night stand with him. That’s so unlike you. Mind you, it’s about time. How long ago was it you broke up withJake?”
“Eightmonths.”
“Exactly. Time to get back in thegame.”
“That’s rich. When was the last time you showed any interest in aguy?”
“I haven’t got time, you knowthat.”
“I do, but that’s only been recently. What about beforethat?”
“I don’t know. No one interested me, Iguess.”
* * *
Nicand I have an incredible couple of days. Having booked holiday from work, my mornings were free, and while I went into uni in the afternoon, Nic went shopping before meeting for me dinner and more drinks. I don’t think I’ve ever drank so much, but I was grateful that Nic was relaxing and enjoying herself, so the hangovers were worthit.
I skive off uni on Friday so we can spend our last together. I book us both in for a hair appointment, followed by eyebrows and spray tans. Nic’s usually gorgeous red is looking seriously drab, and the tan should help her look a little lessexhausted.
“Thank you for the last few days, Lils. I really neededit.”
“You’re welcome. I just wish you didn’t have to go sosoon.”
“I know, but one day soon I’ll be able to do as I please,” she repliessadly.
Listening to her talk about it on the phone is hard enough, but having her here in person and listening to what her life is currently like is heart breaking. Although she’s had a good rest, I can see that being so far away has been playing on her mind. She’s well aware that the phone could ring at anyminute.
“We’re going on holiday,” I state to try to cheer the conversation up slightly. “Where do you want togo?”
“Somewhere hot, with a beach, a bar and a load of hot guys,” she says with a laugh and a genuine smile on herface.
“Done. We’ll get it booked as soon as wecan.”
Our excited chatter about sun, sand and hot men is soon distracted by my ringingphone.
“It’s Dec,” I say, going to grab it. Fair play to Nic, because she manages to contain the groan I know she’s desperate to let out. It’s no secret that Nic and Dec do not get along—they never have, and I’m pretty sure neverwill.
“Hey, what are you doing ringing on a Friday evening? Shouldn’t you be out on the pull?” I say, teasing my brother. It’s unlike him that he’s not already on the hunt for tonight’spartner.
