My Best Friend's Son | SAMPLE ONLY

C1

Karen folded up the washing as she watched me carefully. The scent of her familiar fabric conditioner washed over me as I tilted my head the side, examining the bottle that laid on the kitchen side.

'I need to get some of this.'

Karen dropped the basket of laundry onto the floor as she reached past me, grabbing the kettle. I watched as she filled it with water as her eyes met mine.

'Have you heard from him today?'

I pursed my lips as I groaned inwardly, not wanting to talk about Nate. It was just so disappointing. It had been three months since he had moved out, but he still wouldn't give up on me.

'Yes, twice. Once with flowers and once with a text.' I sighed as she shook her head with exasperation.

'He doesn't get it does he? It's over. You probably need to start the divorce proceedings.' She put her hand on my arm as she looked at me kindly, and I swallowed. I knew she was right, but I also knew it would destroy him in a way I didn't have the heart to do. I thought he would jump at the chance to be single again, given his ridiculous behaviour at times, but I was wrong. I had told him we needed to separate for a while, that I needed space to think. He had moved in with his friend after much persuading and begging on my behalf. He was positive there was someone else on the scene, and even went as far as to randomly turn up at the house drunk, demanding to see the bedroom. After stumbling in four or five times at odd hours of the morning, he finally realised my feelings weren't due to another man and went off to lick his wounds. I was brought back to reality by the front door opening, as Karen's partner James walked in, his eyes smiling as he saw us. He kissed Karen on the head and I felt a pang of jealously. They had been together a few years now, and he absolutely adored her. Her first relationship was a long one with the Michael, the father of her son, Dalton. He had become abusive and she left him, bringing Dalton up by herself until he left home at nineteen to go university in Sheffield. I gazed at my friend who was pouring boiling water over tea bags as she caught my eye and gave me a warm smile. She was still beautiful, even in her fifties.

'Dalton is coming over this weekend. Would be lovely of you to see him.' She stirred milk into my cup as she handed it me, before taking it back and adding sugar. I smiled as she winked at me. 'Nearly forgot you aren't sweet enough.'

I hadn't seen Dalton since he left for University, which was a good six years ago now. He had studied Business, and gotten a job in the city of Sheffield. He didn't come home that much, but he was very close to Karen and they spoke nearly every day.

'How is he?' I asked as I blew on my tea, wondering if there were any biscuits to munch on. As if reading my mind, Karen pulled out the biscuit tin and a smile lit up on my face. She rolled her eyes as I opened it gleefully, searching for my favourites- bourbon creams.

'He's doing really well. He's recently been promoted to a Senior Business development manager, which is incredible considering his age.'

I was impressed.

'Wow, at twenty five I was still pissing about working at Topshop.'

She looked at me and grinned. 'He's twenty six, but I know. He's very ambitious though, and he wants the best for himself. So will you be around this weekend? Or have you got any hot dates lined up?'

I knew she was teasing but I still made a face as I reached for a third bourbon cream, dipping it in my tea repeatedly until the biscuit began to soften before quickly putting it in my mouth.

'No, I'm free this weekend.'

Karen arched an eyebrow as she looked at me curiously.

'No one on the horizon? I can't help but wonder how you haven't met anyone else yet. You're so pretty.'

'I'm also married.'

'Separated. You need to start saying that. At least you aren't wearing your ring anymore.'

I sipped my tea, saying nothing. Meeting someone else was not on my agenda at all, I was quite content with my own company for the time being. My friends were concerned though, desperately wondering who they could set me up with. This ended up with anyone remotely single being thrust my way, whilst I politely declined. I needed to completely deal with Nate before I even considered getting myself back out there, as Karen put it.

'Is he still turning up without prior arrangement?' Asked James with a frown, his head popping up over his newspaper. I jumped, having forgotten he was even there. Karen and James had been my rock over the past few months, and I was eternally grateful. I shook my head with a reassuring smile; James was very protective of me when it came to Nate, having spent years siding with Karen on the many reasons why I deserved better. He nodded, satisfied with my answer before returning to his paper.

My phone rang and I glanced at the display, sighing when I saw it was Nate.

'Don't answer it. He'll get the message eventually.' Declared Karen as she pushed the biscuit tin towards me. I laughed as I plucked another bourbon cream from the tin, wondering if I began to live off them how long it would take to die.

'I need to go anyway. So I'll see you this weekend? When do you want me?'

Karen frowned as she checked her phone, her finger sliding through her texts as she chewed on her lip.

'Dalton will be here on Friday evening so anytime Saturday? I think he's staying here for a few days before heading back.'

I nodded, gulping the last of my tea. Karen fussed about me eating enough and insisted on giving me a frozen lasagne she had made earlier in the week, ever the mother hen. I hoped Dalton was hungry when he got here; his mother had been batch cooking in anticipation of his visit for about a week. I kissed her goodbye at the door before sliding into my car, a trusty Volkswagen beetle I'd named Bettie. I'd just pulled out of her drive when the heavens opened, my windscreen wipers furiously battling the rain as it saturated the glass.

God bless English weather.

I drove carefully back home, images of Netflix and wine awaiting me. I considered calling Nate back, knowing if I didn't he would either call again until I answered or worse still; turn up. I decided to take the risk and leave him be, Karen was right, he needed to back off. I pulled up outside my little terraced house, managing to grab the last parking spot on the street. I pulled my keys out of my bag as I slid the hood of my coat over my head, hoping if I was as prepared as possible I wouldn't end up a drowned rat. My efforts were futile, the ghastly wind blowing my hood straight off as the rain soaked my skin instantly. I tugged my hood back up against the wind and locked Bettie, hurrying down the pathway to my door.