“Come to my wedding. You can catch up with everyone. It’s on Sunday. I’d love for you to be there. Bring your girls too.”
“No, I couldn’t.”
“Please Cal. I’d love for you to be there. Everyone would love to see you.”
She pulls a notebook from her bag, tears out a page and writes the details. “Here, I’m getting married at the village church on Sunnyside green and the reception is at the Olde Bell Hotel.”
I take the paper from her and shove it in my pocket. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Just think about it. If you come, great and if you don’t, I understand. It’s been great seeing you.” She reaches out her arms for a hug.
I wrap my arms around her, pulling her close. “You too. Do me a favour.”
“Anything.” She looks up at me with eyes blue as the sunny sky.
“Don’t tell anyone you saw me, especially Steph. I don’t want to bring up any painful memories.”
She folds her arms again and her eyes turn to a thundery storm with a flash of lightning as her words snap at me. “That’s not fair, Cal. I won’t keep that from her. I’ve had to work with her this whole time and…” She chews on her bottom lip. “And if you don’t contact her before I leave for my honeymoon, I will tell her you’re here.”
“All right. Calm down.” Why the fuck is she pushing this? Kelly of all people should know no good can come of me seeing Steph again. I’m so over this conversation. “I have to get going. Take care of yourself, and I hope everything goes well on Sunday.”
“Thanks Cal, take care of yourself too.”
I finish the grocery shop and head back to my car. Well, Mum’s Peugeot. Years ago, I wouldn’t have dared drive an old lady's car. It’s funny how now I just couldn’t give a shit.
“Everything all right?” Mum asks when I get back.
“Yeah, I bumped into Kelly, who I used to work with.”
“Oh, I always liked her, dear. Why ever the two of you didn’t get together, I’ll never know.”
“Mum, we’re friends.”
“But you went on those dates.”
“It wasn’t a date. She took me out twice when Priya and I split, nothing more.”
“Anyway, she’s a nice girl.”
“She’s getting married on Sunday.”
“Oh, how lovely.”
“She invited me.”
“Wonderful, how nice. You can catch up with everyone.”
I want to go more than anything. I want to seeher.But I can’t.
* * *
STEPH
Caleb fidgetsas I sit in church, waiting for Kelly to walk down the aisle. Trust him to want a feed at this moment. Can I whip it out in church? Gosh, I can’t have Kelly walk down the aisle while I’m sitting here with my boob out.
I knew I should have brought more milk. The thought of having a couple glasses of wine tonight was more tempting. So all my pumped milk is being used for tomorrow.
I bounce him on my knee and hold the dummy in place, watching him suck frantically on the teat, pulling his eyebrows together when he realises it’s not the real thing. “Shh, hold on, little man.”