Everything Has Changed by Kendra Smith

Author:Kendra Smith [Smith, Kendra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781789541892
Publisher: Head of Zeus

27 Victoria

‘Hey, sexy thing! Look at you!’ Zoe let out a long wolf-whistle, just as James walked past and glanced at Victoria.

‘Nice outfit! What’s the occasion?’

Victoria could feel herself get redder. ‘Well, nothing really. I thought it might jog my memory, if I’m honest. Come in.’ She took Zoe into the kitchen and flicked the kettle on. ‘Tea? Listen, let me just pop upstairs and change first.’

When she got back to the kitchen, they settled into the cosy seats by the window. Zoe took a sip of tea. Pickle was now sitting on the floor by her feet, enjoying the April sun filtering in through the window.

‘You OK, hun?’ Zoe leant in and touched Victoria’s knee. ‘You look a bit peaky.’

There it was again. Peaky. ‘Yeah, I’m fine,’ Victoria took a sip of tea and felt like she was in a pantomime of her own making.

‘That dress looked great. Shows off your figure.’ Zoe moved her handbag out of the way and put her cup down on the small coffee table between the two chairs. ‘Hey, I’ve got an idea.’ She tilted her head to one side and studied Victoria. ‘Why don’t you wear something similar to your sis’s wedding? You said she wanted you to be maid of honour?’

Victoria wiped some tea from her mug with her thumb and looked out to the garden. ‘You know what, I might just do that.’ She jutted out her chin and smiled.

‘Anyway, I’m not here to talk about your sister’s wedding, I thought I’d pop round, sweetie, clear a few things up.’ She craned her neck to look at the kitchen door.

‘Clear what up?’

Zoe took another furtive look over her shoulder and whispered. ‘Thought I’d better explain about the whole texting game. You know. Our little secret?’

Victoria swallowed hard. Too many secrets. She just wanted to press ‘Rewind’ on her life. She wanted the Old Victoria back.

‘Zoe. I hate this: my husband treats me like a houseguest, my kids are distant and my dad despairs. My sister thinks I’ve lost my mind, well, I have, I suppose…’ She looked up at Zoe and then they both burst out laughing; Pickle stood up and started to bark at them. But then, the laughter slowly morphed into great big sobs as Victoria took a gulp of air and let the wet tears trickle down her cheek.

‘Hey, sweetie, don’t cry.’ Zoe held out a tissue. ‘It’s all OK.’

‘It’s not OK! I’ve got these messages. On my phone,’ she hissed. ‘What a mess,’ she wiped her eyes and looked at Zoe.

‘I can explain.’

‘What?’ Victoria tucked the tissue into her jeans’ pocket and quickly glanced towards the door to make sure they were alone. She looked back at Zoe.

‘Look, it was my idea, honey,’ Zoe whispered, putting her cup down. ‘James and you, well, you two were – how can I put it – a bit “broken” and I thought it might be a good idea to spice things up a bit, see if he got jealous. I used one of my old phones and sent you flirty messages.

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