Her Best Friend's Secret: A gripping, emotional novel about love, life and the power of friendship by Mansell Anna

Her Best Friend's Secret: A gripping, emotional novel about love, life and the power of friendship by Mansell Anna

Author:Mansell, Anna
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-78681-952-9
Publisher: Bookouture
Published: 2019-03-31T16:00:00+00:00


Emily

By the time Emily and Jess had walked her up to the taxi rank, Lolly was smiling. They had all agreed that Amanda had always had her moments. Just as she could bring the party, she could end it too. And they all knew that sometimes she’d been one to keep things from them so why would it be any different now. It had been a source of frustration in the past but given that Emily hadn’t come entirely clean about her own life right now, she didn’t feel in much position to judge.

‘Bless, Lolly,’ said Jess, waving her off in a cab. ‘She’s not changed much, has she?’

Emily smiled. ‘No, not at all. It makes me wonder if any of us have, deep down, I mean.’

Jess looked at Emily, almost studied her, which made Emily feel uncomfortable. Exposed somehow. She was used to being looked at, but usually people were scrutinising her hair and make-up, her chosen outfit. Jess though, Jess seemed to be looking into her soul almost. ‘You were quieter than I remember,’ she said.

‘You think?’ Emily started walking, though she wasn’t sure in what direction.

‘Definitely. You were never that quiet when we were younger.’

‘Oh, I don’t know about that. Besides, I enjoyed watching, learning about you all, you know. I was the one to leave. Maybe I’m a bit of an outsider.’

Jess grabbed Emily’s arm. ‘Wait on, I don’t think any of us look at you that way. Is that really what you feel?’

‘I don’t know. It’s been quite nice not to be the one getting all the attention… is that a bit humble braggy?’

‘Not at all. I can imagine it gets tiresome, being in the public eye.’

Jess had no idea. Emily wasn’t one of the super-famous but even she grew irritated by the assumption that she was public property, just because she did a job that occasionally pushed her in the public gaze. ‘I shouldn’t complain, not really. I’m walking this way, what about you?’

‘Yeah, me too.’

Jess and Emily wandered toward the bottom of Pydar Street in a comfortable silence. Emily replayed the reunion, considering what it might be like to raise a child with three brilliant women as godmothers. Because the more she thought about this baby and her new life back in Cornwall, the more the idea appealed.

Eventually, Jess asked, ‘Is life good for you, Emily?’

Emily peered into Waterstones’ window. She’d not read a book in ages, she missed things like that. ‘Yeah. I guess so. Life’s… okay,’ she said. ‘I mean, I’m back here to make some changes, so you know…’

She walked on. She wondered what the bean in her belly was doing. Did it move as she moved, or was it rooted to her insides? How tiny was it? Did it hear her yet? She knew nothing about babies, about pregnancy. Perhaps she should start looking it up. Except the more she thought, the more she warmed to the idea, the more real it became, and she knew she was going to have to face up to the reality that, probably, Jackson had a right to know.



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