Page 102 of The Last Saturday In July
‘I could almost cope with that, but you weren’t here yesterday when she found out about Adam.’
‘Yeah, well, she’s had a chance to cool down. She’s probably scarlet she overreacted.’
‘You think?’
‘Jess, she’s your best friend.’
Jess swallowed hard. ‘Actually, that would be you. Thanks for not judging.’
‘I’d never judge you, you sap. Are you going to be okay? Like, really?’
‘Yeah, really.’
‘Okay, go do what you have to do.’
Zoe hung up and Jess took a slightly shaky breath. She’d have a five-minute lie-down on the floor. Then she’d try to talk to Kate again.
‘How can I help, Jess?’ Kate didn’t look up from her keyboard when Jess came into the Accounts department.
Kate’s female co-worker shot Jess an odd look and Jess wondered if she’d said anything. Until yesterday, she’d never have doubted her friend’s loyalty, now she wasn’t so sure.
‘Can we talk in private?’
‘Is it about work?’
‘No.’
‘It’ll have to wait, I’m busy.’ Kate continued to tap at the keyboard.
The other woman murmured an excuse about lunch and left.
When they were alone, Jess said, ‘I came to say sorry, I want everything to be all right between us.’
Kate continued to input figures into a spreadsheet.
‘Kate, please just stop for a minute and listen.’
Kate spun her chair around to face her. ‘Fine, I’m listening.’ She folded her arms.
‘I’m sorry, okay?’ Jess’s voice shook a bit.
‘For what, exactly?’
‘That I didn’t tell you what happened with Adam. I couldn’t tell you and not Simon. He’s the one I hurt.’
Kate’s eyes glittered. ‘So, he knows? You told him?’
‘Yes.’ As the colour left Kate’s face. Jess rushed on. ‘Look, I get it, you and Simon are friends and you probably felt I didn’t love him …’
‘You don’t.’ Kate’s voice had hardened.
Jess’s skin prickled. ‘Kate, you can’t judge a relationship from the outside.’
Kate got to her feet so quickly Jess was forced to take a step backwards. ‘We’re finished here. I’m not coming to the wedding because it’ll be a joke, and deep down you know that.’
‘Please don’t make me choose between you and Simon, Kate,’ Jess’s voice was barely more than a whisper. ‘That’s just nuts.’
Kate took a step towards her, and Jess was shaken at the hurt and anger in her expression. ‘There’s no more to talk about. I want you to leave me alone.’
