My Sweet Friend by H.A. Leuschel

Author:H.A. Leuschel
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: psychological fiction, family and relationships, suspense, mental health, women's health, fiction, psychological
Publisher: EKT
Published: 2017-12-06T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 7 - Alexa, Biarritz. Thursday, 21 September 2017

I fixed myself a cup of coffee, all the while puzzling over the recent conversations with Rosie and pleased that I’d managed to wriggle out of any work from home. Jack had been astonishingly persistent but I got the better of him in the end.

‘Sick-leave means what it is, Jack. I’m not prepared to jeopardize my time off, especially when we both know that it’s illegal. I can do texts and answer calls but I can’t spend hours on the computer. I’ll continue liaising with Rosie and that’s it,’ I’d stated.

‘You’ve used Rosie, ever since we let you in on our team. She’s too kind to see it but I can,’ he hissed down the line, leaving me startled.

‘How dare you? You just look for someone to blame. Rosie and I help each other, ask her yourself. We’re friends, more than what can be said about us,’ I said.

Admittedly, I’d been able to see Rosie’s gullibility and gentle nature from a mile away as soon as I entered the staff room on the first day in my new job. The way Jack and Rosie were looking at each other and working in harmony quickly churned my stomach over the following days, the dull ache of feeling left out goading me on.

‘You’re just jealous because she hangs out with me now. Things change, dear Jack - now give me a break, please. Only call me if it’s really urgent,’ I said firmly, determined not to miss the movie I’d wanted to watch in the cinema that afternoon. It would be a good excuse to switch that annoying mobile off.

My week by the sea was quickly turning into a nightmare though, ruining all my plans of disappearing for a little while to take a breath of fresh air, think, and then start over again. The realisation made my heart race with irritation, my hands balled into fists, and I emitted a deep-throated grunt. Tunnel vision appeared in front of my eyes and I could only think of calling Rosie to do the usual - cajole her into helping me sort things out. This was familiar ground and I didn’t like it one bit.

I knew better not to this time though, especially after I’d urgently needed the money back that I’d lent her. There was a limit to a person’s charitable behaviour, even in Rosie.

‘I need to talk to you urgently, Rosie,’ I’d declared out of the blue, just before our lunch break. ‘Can we head out together and find a quiet corner?’

‘What’s the matter now?’ she’d asked, frowning.

‘I’m so sorry, lovely, but I need my money back,’ I’d blurted out as soon as we’d sat down in the corner of a café. Rosie had blanched instantly.

‘You told me I could pay you back within the next six months. It’s only been, what? Two weeks or so.’

‘Six months? I never said that. Honestly, are you kidding me?’ As I said it, Rosie looked hurt and confused.

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