Autumn at the Oak Leaf Cafe by CP Ward

Author:CP Ward [Ward, CP]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: AMMFA Publishing
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

17

The Face of the Enemy

‘So, you’re torn between your ex-boyfriend, who’s starting hanging around again, and this new guy who’s interested in you?’ Janine gave a slow nod. ‘Are you familiar with the seven deadly sins?’

‘Ah, a little.’

‘Greed. That’s the keyword here. You are infected, Madeline, with a sense of greed. That you can have any man that you want. Maybe that was true at school, when you were bullying weaker girls who had bucked teeth, but in the adult world, it’s an adjective that will ensure you fall into life’s firepit. Is that want you really want? To burn in hell?’

‘I … ah….’

‘Do you know how it feels to be that weaker child, the one mocked by its peers, forever in the shadow of more attractive, more popular people?’

‘No, I—’

‘Of course you don’t. But time is a great leveler. So when one can look out of the window at one’s Mercedes parked next to another’s bicycle, to look at the picture of one’s handsome, well-dressed and wealthy fiancé compared to another’s singleness, it is easy to see the mastery of time at work, and all it took was a little nip-and-tuck, a little dental realignment … do you really understand?’

Madeline was about to make some noncommittal response when Janine tapped her watch. ‘I’m afraid we’re done for the day. We did some good work, I think. I’ll see you next Tuesday.’

‘I’m not sure this is working out—’

‘Nonsense. I’ve seen a great change in you over the last two weeks, Madeline. You’d be a fool to drop out of the program now. Plus, ask Edith in reception about our loyalty discount.’

‘But, what if—’

Janine put up a hand. ‘If I answer any questions now, we’ll be into overtime, which is the regular fee times five plus an administration fee. Are you happy to proceed?’

Madeline just flapped a hand and headed for the door.

‘I’ll see you next week,’ Janine said, not looking up, instead pulling a smartphone out of her pocket and slouching back in her chair. Madeline caught a glimpse of a social media app before she went out.

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