Something Better

The Sky Is Full Of Dreams

Brandon kept looking at his phone. He wanted to text Martha, but it had only been one day since he had met her in Brandy's bar. He paced about his apartment, he couldn't sit still, he was fidgeting and starting to over think the whole situation. He knew from experience that action was the best cure for this behaviour, so he decided to bite the bullet and text her.

Brandon: Hey it's Brandon, hope you had a good night and you are not too hung over! Can we meet some time next week? x

X or no x? Brandon worried about this little symbol that could convey so much, but in the end he decided it was only a big deal if he made it a big deal, so it was fine, he hoped.

Martha: Hi, my night was good, thanks! The food was delicious and I was well behaved, I only had two drinks. I don't work on Thursdays, if that would suit? x

A fucking x! Martha could hardly breathe, but then she calmed down and thought he probably just sends everyone an x, even Ronnie and she giggled at the thought. She had written her reply to his text about ten times. She was excited he had contacted her so quickly.

Brandon: Two drinks? I'm surprised and impressed! Thursday would be fine for me, what time suits you? x

Brandon felt more relaxed now that he had made contact with Martha and he was relieved she was as easy going and friendly in texts as she was in real life. He smiled at his own anxiety, of course this was also real life.

Martha: How about lunchtime? Is 1 o'clock ok? x

Brandon: Great! Do you want to meet somewhere for lunch? x

Martha stared at the last text from Brandon... She couldn't believe this was happening! She thought about her life last year at Christmastime, half a person crying into her mother's knee, thinking about how she was going to be able to go on living without Lee, Lee! Now she was texting Brandon Flowers! In fact she was just about to accept an invitation to lunch on Thursday - in real life!

Martha: Sure, any place in mind? x

Brandon was trying to think of a suitable place, somewhere that did not say date, but wasn't a total dive either.

Martha: We could go back to Brandy's? x

Brandon: Perfect! I'll see you there at 1 on Thursday. X

He felt glad she had suggested a place, he felt less romantic pressure. He sat on his sofa, put his head back and blew out a sigh. He felt the tension leave his body. It was business, she was going to work for him and that was easier for Brandon to deal with. He couldn't, however, ignore the effect this girl had on him. He looked at his phone as her reply came through.

Martha: Thanks Brandon, see you then! X

Brandon smiled, but he felt a little disappointed that their text conversation was over. He pushed thoughts of her to the back of his mind and decided to wait and see what Thursday had in store.

Martha decided to call Lauren. It had been about a fortnight since they last spoke and even then it had been short. She wanted to tell her she had met Brandon again, but something made her hold back. There was no question that they had grown apart, since T in the Park. Martha had been so elated by her experience there, but Lauren was scarred by the fact that her boyfriend had let her down badly. Lauren had 'forgiven' Greg and that meant Greg had said sorry and told her not to go on about it, but Lauren would cast it up every time she wanted something or they had an argument, which was pretty much every day. Martha didn't even ask anything about Lauren's relationship any more, because Lauren was instantly defensive about it all. Martha decided she would play up the design idea and that she was working for Brandon, not dating him.

Martha froze. That was the truth, she had better not get any romantic ideas, or she might get hurt and that was the last thing she wanted. She had only half thawed out from her divorce. How would she get over being hurt by her ideal man? Where do you go after that? Martha shuddered as she felt the echo of heartbreak pass through her.

"Hi! How are you?" Lauren said in a chirpy voice, "I've been thinking about you today!"

Martha heard voices in the background and then silence as she realised Lauren had moved to a quieter location.

"Are you ok to talk?" Martha asked, suddenly feeling that she wished she had called Charles instead.

"Yeah, Greg's got the boys over for some poker so I just moved upstairs so I can talk to you in peace," Lauren said lightly.

"Poker? Isn't it lunchtime for you right now?" Martha said, but instantly regretted it and was now waiting on the attack.

"Yeah, we're just like Vegas!" Lauren laughed, "What's been happening with you, everything ok?" She inquired.

Martha was suspicious, Lauren sounded way too cheerful and was asking how she was?!

"You starting to sound like my Mum!" Martha joked, "Is everything ok with you? That is what I want to know!" Martha laughed.

"I'm fine! It's just been a while since we actually talked, that's all and I miss you. I don't want you to drift of into the desert without me, you know?" Lauren said quietly.

"I won't," Martha replied,"It's nice to talk to you and I totally miss you, so much has happened!" Martha felt a pang of guilt for not sharing her news with her best friend straight away.

"Tell, tell tell!" Lauren giggled.

"Well, I met Brandon Flowers, by chance, in a bar and we talked and he took my number, because he wants me to definitely design something for him," Martha breathed, "And we are meeting for lunch on Thursday to discuss it!" Martha ran her last sentence so fast, because she felt like she was going into a full fan girl scream.

"That is amazing!" Lauren said excitedly, "Did he recognise you?" Lauren asked.

"Yes! He even remembered my name!" Martha said with amazement.

"Wow! You must have made quite an impression on him," Lauren sang and giggled.

"I was pretty drunk!" Martha giggled back, excitement bubbling up in her chest.

At that moment another voice came into the conversation and Martha's excitement was extinguished instantly.

"Lauren?" Greg's voice inquired.

"Hold on," Lauren whispered, "I'm in here," She called out putting her phone to her shoulder, but Martha could still hear what was being said.

"Who are you talking to?" Greg almost demanded, not waiting for an answer, "Don't leave Gemma down stairs by herself." He scolded.

"I'm just coming," Lauren said through gritted teeth.

Pause.

"Are you there?" Lauren asked.

"Is Gemma there?" Martha asked, her stomach twisting in a knot as she said her name.

Pause.

"Yes." Lauren confessed, she tried to talk, to explain, but no words would come out.

Silence.

Silence.

"I need to go." Martha said coldly, as she hung up her phone.

Gemma seemed to have slotted herself right into Martha's old life. She had her husband, she had taken over her bed and now she had Lauren. Martha felt the familiar nausea of betrayal and jealousy flood over her and as she ran to the bathroom.