Try Me Again by Clare Lydon

Author:Clare Lydon [Lydon, Clare]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Custard Books
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

Dot hadn’t slept well after clearing up the dishes of their abruptly abandoned Cuban night, emotion swirling inside her. She hadn’t missed the drama that always followed Caitlin. The next morning, Dot rolled over and stared at the empty pillow next to her. The woman who used to occupy it was asleep on the sofa. Was she still crying? Was she preparing breakfast, as she’d promised she would?

Dot jumped out of bed, and almost collided with Caitlin in the hallway. Her face was drawn, her hair matted. Dot’s eyes fell to Caitlin’s bare legs. It was a shameless habit. They were still long and smooth. She’d always loved Caitlin’s body. She’d always loved… Dot stopped her thoughts and forced her eyes upwards to Caitlin’s face.

“I’m just jumping in the shower, then I’ll make breakfast.” Caitlin paused, her intense hazel eyes on Dot. “You need to use the loo first?”

Dot shook her head. “You go. I’ll put the kettle on.”

The kitchen floor was cool under her feet, a hint of tomato and Italian seasoning still coating the air. In the sink, the lasagne dish was soaking, the water cold and grey, bits of burnt cheese floating on top.

Dot filled the kettle and flicked it on. In the corner, the boiler spluttered to life, telling her Caitlin was under the jets, water cascading down her naked body. Dot blinked once, twice, then shook her head. Not helpful.

She was just getting two mugs from the cupboard when she heard a crash. She raced out into the hall and knocked on the bathroom door. “Cait? You okay?”

No reply. But the shower was still going.

“Caitlin?”

A few more seconds passed, then finally, “Yes, I’m okay.” A long pause. “But I just slipped and fell out of the shower.”

Fuck. Dot tried the handle. It was locked.

They never used to lock the door.

That was then.

“I’m going to force the door, so stay back from it, okay?”

“Okay.” Her voice was barely audible.

It took Dot four shoulder charges to break the lock, but on the fourth it gave way and she staggered into the bathroom, narrowly stopping before she trod on Caitlin. When she saw the full extent of her, Dot’s breath caught in her chest.

“Fucking hell, you’re bleeding!” Caitlin’s nose was a bloody mess, red streaks splattered across her cheeks and down her neck. She was tangled in the shower curtain, her face contorted in pain. Her breathing was shallow, too.

Dot grabbed a towel from the shelving above the loo, then dropped to her knees, giving it to Caitlin for her face. “Where does it hurt?”

“Everywhere?” Caitlin’s voice wobbled. “I was just thinking this morning that my knee felt better after you’d fallen on me. Then the bathroom decided to fall on me.”

At least she still had her sense of humour.

Caitlin glanced up, then promptly burst into tears.

Dot put a stiff arm around her, soon melting into her familiar shape.

Caitlin clutched her arm, pressing the side of her head into Dot. She shivered, which only made Dot grip her firmer.

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