Delectable (Sinclair Bryant)

Don't Hurt Me, No More

The lively restaurant around the two friends drowned out their conversation from prying ears. Thank God, because it was long and slightly painful to tell, as Sian batted around the expensive food on her plate.

As promised, she had taken Perry out to dinner the next night, to a restaurant of her choosing and tried to explain what had been happening over the past few days. It was sometimes difficult without giving away too many secrets of a past that Sinclair would not want as common knowledge, therefore it was hard to make sense of.

Perry did her best to understand, though knew some facts were being omitted. Begrudgingly, though she had tried to coax more of the details, she accepted that she would have to trust Sian's judgement and decisions. Lord knows, Sian had done the same for her, on more than one occasion, so it was time for her to bestow that same grace in Sian's direction.

"So, what now?" Perry asked as the young, well dressed waiter left the table, having produced their desserts.

Here was the even trickier part, Sian thought, as she glided her fork through the decadent mango cheesecake.

Perry could see conflict run through her friend as she watched her take the first bite of her final course. The sweetness that hit Sian's tongue was in complete contrast to the bitterness of the words she was about to produce.

"Sinclair's leaving for France in two weeks." She said it bluntly, a little harshly, still not quite at terms with the idea. She was a smart woman, she knew this period of time would prolong her pain, but she didn't want to stop herself.

"And you're going with him?" she presumed out loud. "Some dirty weekend already?" Perry chuckled as she finally paid heed to her very elaborately dressed Eton Mess.

Sian shook her head, if only, she thought as tears threatened to prick her eyes. She promised herself she wouldn't cry about it, but how could she not? After everything, and after last night when she lay in his arms and fell to sleep to his reading, his fingers running lovingly up and down her bare arm. Nothing so ridiculously romantic and tender had ever happened to her before and she feared it never would again.

"No," her voice shook, she hid it with another mouthful of the cheesecake, forcing it down her drying throat. It was delicious but she couldn't find enjoyment in it. "Sinclair and his Dad have gone into business together, buying a vineyard in the South of France."

"Oh," she said a little shocked, "How long is he going for?"

Perry hadn't twigged what Sian was getting at. Thinking that Sinclair would be going there on a business trip and would be coming back in due course.

"Indefinitely." The word was tainted on her tongue.

"What?" Perry suddenly choked, a piece of meringue squatting in her throat. She quickly chugged back some water to save any further spluttering and embarrassment.
Sian handed her an unused cream serviette, which was taken gratefully and used to wipe tentatively at Perry's red painted lips.

"So he's...just what? Going? Never coming back?" Perry asked, confused. If he was leaving why was Sian letting herself get attached to him again? The red head could only see more heartbreak on the horizon.

With a sadness clouding her, one that only appeared once she had left Sinclair's apartment that morning, Sian shrugged her tense shoulders.

"Not for a while...if ever. Depends how it all goes, I suppose." She placed her fork down on the gold rimmed plate and pushed it away from her. Her sweet tooth could not overpower her salty gloom.

Perry sat silent for a moment, biting back the urge to just blurt out her first thoughts, which was her nature; something Sian loved about her. She didn't stand on ceremony for anyone and therefore you always knew where you stood with her. But she was trying to be tactful, even if her face wasn't quite caught up. Sian could see the questions.