Unbreak Your Heart by Katie Marsh

Author:Katie Marsh [Marsh, Katie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781473685741
Published: 2021-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

19

Beth

Beth put the last chair back in its place and surveyed the classroom. Five minutes ago it had been full of Year 3s making healthy diet posters, thinking about protein, starch and sugar. She was glad the school holidays were over now – the children gave her something to think about – something that wasn’t Simon or Tyler or the feeling that the problems she thought she had left in New York were inexorably heading her way.

She hadn’t answered Tyler – choosing instead to communicate via the lawyer she had consulted so often she would almost call her a friend. But her mind whirred on nonetheless, keeping her up night after night, casting shadows and fears, to the point where Beth frequently didn’t even bother going to bed. Instead she lay on the sofa staring blankly at the TV, before giving up at daybreak and going for yet another run.

‘That was great, Beth. The kids loved it. Thank you.’ Barney bounced across from the whiteboard as if he had springs in his heels. ‘Even I want to eat my five a day now, and Lina’s always on at me about eating more healthily.’

Beth laughed. ‘Really? You told me the day we met that you’re a regular at the gym.’

‘Yeah.’ Barney picked up a stray piece of paper from underneath one of the small wooden desks. ‘But only to work off my Cadbury habit. And my beer habit.’ He ticked the list off on his fingers. ‘And then there’s my pie habit.’

‘Don’t tell anyone.’ Beth pretended to check for listeners. ‘But I have a pie habit too.’

‘Never. Well, don’t worry. Your secret’s safe with me.’ He patted his midriff. ‘I’ve got to stay in shape for the wedding though. I’ve hired my morning suit now and it’s a tight fit.’

‘Of course!’ Beth leant against the windowsill, remembering Simon’s face after the stag when he had discovered the clash of dates. ‘Did you …?’ She stopped.

‘Find a new best man?’ Barney gave a wry smile. ‘Yeah. It’s not the same, but – I don’t want Simon to feel bad, so …’ He shrugged. ‘It is what it is.’

His kindness touched her and she was about to say so when a familiar face appeared at the classroom door.

‘Beth!’

‘Jake!’ She leant down and hugged him. ‘It’s so good to see you!’

He stepped back, pulling a white envelope from his pocket. She felt a pang of concern as she saw the shadows beneath his eyes, the pallor of his skin. She wondered how it felt having your mum walking back into your life after such a long time away.

She stood up again, seeing children out in the playground, chattering and giggling as they made their way out of the school gates towards home. She saw Simon going against the flow, making his way towards the main entrance, and resisted an urge to hide.

She turned back to the boy in front of her. ‘How are you doing?’ The truth was that over the past two weeks

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