Pining & Loving by Emma Sterner-Radley
Author:Emma Sterner-Radley [Sterner-Radley, Emma]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Heartsome Publishing
Published: 2019-10-18T04:00:00+00:00
Chapter Twenty-Five
Butch Bearing
Gwen stood in the kitchen, listening to Aya and Charlotte whisper in the other room. It sounded like leaves rustling in the wind.
She didn’t mind that they were talking about her; she knew Charlotte was paving the way for their friendship. That meant she could focus on taking a few deep breaths and watching the beautiful roses.
They’re huge, and there’s a dozen of them. They must have cost a fortune, especially for someone on benefits.
She was happy about the roses, but much happier about seeing Aya again. That truculent demeanour, the awkward speech, that big heart, those graceful features. Not to mention that butch bearing… she had missed it all. And yes, her apology had healed some wounds that she hadn’t even acknowledged before.
She made some popcorn and got three cans of different fizzy drinks out of the fridge. While she put it all on a tray, she considered quickly brushing her hair and getting changed but decided against it. If Aya was going to be her friend, she’d see her like this sometimes. She filled her lungs again, enjoying the scent of the roses one last time before leaving the kitchen.
When she walked in, Aya and Charlotte were next to each other on the sofa, checking out Gwen’s two drawings of Janet. Gwen could barely remember when she’d drawn them.
Aya looked up, her usually sable-coloured eyes gleaming like black ink in the lamplight. “These are amazing!”
Gwen tried to not fixate on her guest’s eyes. Instead she put the tray on the table. “I’m glad you like them. It’d make me happy if you kept them.”
“What? Really?”
Gwen handed the popcorn bowl to Charlotte. She never ate much on dates, so she was probably peckish. “Sure, what am I going to do with pictures of your jeep?”
“She’s got you there,” Charlotte said, taking the bowl.
Aya ran her fingers over the nearest drawing, then rubbed the back of her neck. She was adorable when she was touched and not sure how to respond. “Thank you, Gwen. I-I’d like to return the favour.”
Gwen picked up a can of cola but didn’t open it. “By drawing a picture of my bicycle? Sure, it’s green, still in my parents’ garage, and has a puncture,” she joked. While her heart wasn’t in it, she wanted Aya and Charlotte to have fun.
“No,” Aya replied. “I was thinking of something more in my wheelhouse.”
“Okay.” Gwen sat down next to Charlotte. “Like what?”
“I remember you telling me that endorphins from working out can sometimes help depressed people?”
Gwen put the can back on the table, recalling her babbling on the drive to Chester. “Mm, that’s right.”
“Then why don’t I teach you how to box? It’s a great workout and you’ll learn some self-defence at the same time. That’s always a good idea, especially in a city like ours.”
Gwen slumped on the sofa. The depression fatigue that started deep in her marrow and spread throughout her body had hit her like a sledgehammer. Today she’d barely managed to shower, eat, and get dressed.
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