Page 41 of Such a Good Couple
Maggie pulled out a dark green sleeveless jersey maxi dress with a high neck. ‘This is nice? I dunno why … but I feel like you should go demure. The last mention of your boobs was some guy admiring them …’
They both laughed in spite of everything.
A knock on the door interrupted them then and Annie appeared.
‘I cannot believe anyone has found a reason to laugh this morning.’ She shut the door behind her, peering around the living room and into the bedroom. ‘Fionn’s not here?’
‘No,’ Maggie replied. ‘He stayed over in the shack. He’ll be back at some stage.’
Clara watched Maggie, trying to discern how she was really feeling about this. Maggie could be very hard to read.
‘Oh-kay.’ Annie frowned. ‘Was that the plan?’
‘It became the plan,’ Maggie replied firmly.
‘Ah.’ Annie crawled onto the rattan sofa nearest the window. ‘So? What’s so funny? Did you speak to Ollie, Clara?’
‘Not yet.’ Clara concentrated on getting Maggie’s dress on. ‘Nothing is funny. We were laughing in an “oh everything’s apocalyptically fucked” kinda way, not a “ha-ha” way.’
‘Gotcha. I relate,’ Annie said flatly. She was staring at the ceiling above, where the sunlight seemed to dance as the curtains behind her stirred in the breeze. ‘Does everything being fucked actually feel worse in a really idyllic setting or is that just me?’
‘What’s happened toyou?’ Clara tucked her bra straps under the shoulders of the dress, noticing that Annie was so drawn even her lips seemed pale and bloodless.
‘I didn’t sleep. It’s …’ She trailed off. She closed her eyes but Clara could see pearls of tears gathering on her lashes.
Clara looked at Maggie for answers but it was clear from her face she had no idea what Annie was talking about.
‘Did something happen with Conor?’ Maggie asked.
A brisk knock startled them all and they instantly froze.
‘Oh God,’ Maggie whispered. ‘Please let it be one of the staff.’ She hurried to the door.
Even amid the taut atmosphere in the room, Clara snagged on Maggie’s phrase.The staff.Truly, what had happened to her friend?
Maggie opened the bedroom door a crack and peered through. ‘Ollie!’ Maggie said brightly. ‘Hi! Hi!’ She could not have sounded more bizarre, but Clara knew Maggie was speaking loudly to alert her and give her a minute to gather herself.
‘Hi, Maggie,’ Ollie replied stiffly. ‘Can you tell Clara that if she wants to have an actual conversation like anadult, I’ll be in our room packing for the next half an hour. We’re leaving at half eight.’
‘Right, okay …’ Maggie started to reply but from the way her words trailed into silence, Clara deduced that Ollie had already walked off.
Clara looked at Annie. ‘Who’s “we”? Him and Conor? They’rebothleaving?’
Annie swept her fingers under her eyes, catching her tears. She nodded.
‘What the fuck.’ Clara couldn’t believe it. ‘I know Ollie’s pissed off, but like … leaving?’ She couldn’t find words. Mainly because she didn’t quite knowhowshe was feeling. Stupid, yes. Ashamed. But also now … slightly indignant? ‘He’s notcompletelyblameless here,’ Clara said, ignoring the look Maggie threw to Annie. ‘I know I kissed some guy but I had reason …’
Maggie scrunched up her face. ‘Oh God. Good luck justifying it, Clara.’
‘Don’t be a bitch, Maggie,’ Clara volleyed back, and immediately regretted it.
‘Guys, stop.’ Annie pulled herself up. ‘We’re all supporting each other here,’ she said firmly.
Clara nodded vigorously. ‘I’m sorry.’ She moved to stand in front of Maggie. ‘You’re not a bitch,I’ma bitch. I know I am. I was a train wreck yesterday.’
Maggie sighed. ‘You better go talk him down, Clara.’ She sat down beside Annie. ‘This is salvageable. It has to be. It’d be insane of him to … you know … do something permanent.’
Clara grimaced. ‘He wouldn’t, he’s just going to lecture me, I’d say. I bloody hope.’ She glanced at Annie. ‘Why is Conor going? What’s happened?’
