One More Thing

Chapter Four: Confrontation

Jude and Sydney stop talking and look up. Sydney looks both amused and bored, but Jude is listening, seemingly free of judgement.

"No," I say truthfully.

"You'll find someone soon," she says.

I'm not so sure about that. I smile awkwardly at the floor, wishing it would swallow me whole.

Cathy goes on to say that Sydney and Jude met at the shop Jude works at. Sydney used to do a Saturday job there and he joined just before she left.

Cathy reassures me that there are so many ways to meet people, especially once I'm old enough to start online dating.

Seriously. She is more invested in my love life than I am.

I nod obligingly, quietly desperate for a change of topic. When she asks me which subjects I'm studying at school and which teachers I have this year, I have to stifle a sigh of relief.

Around five o clock, Jude heads back home. He gets up from the stool and stretches his muscular arms above his head. He stops before the doorway and turns to look at my dad.

"It's been nice meeting you," he says. "And you, Valerie." He looks down for a second and gives me a warm smile.

I can't help but smile back.

When he is gone, Cathy and Sydney go upstairs to unpack their belongings. Sydney has agreed to have the spare room, opposite mine. Cathy is going to sleep in dad's bed, which I'm kind of uneasy about because mum used to sleep there and no one else has has since she left.

Until now.

I make an excuse to head up to my room. Dad gives me an apologetic smile. I think, despite his devotion to Cathy, he must realise how hard this is for me and Lucas.

At least, I hope he does.

When I reach the landing, Sydney is standing in the doorway of the spare room. She looks at me inquisitively.

"Are you okay?" I ask.

"Do I look okay?"

I take a moment to study her face. Her eyes are tired and puffy, and there are traces of mascara smudged across her cheeks.

"Have you... been crying?" I ask.

"No," she says, too quickly. Her face has transformed into a scowl.

"Look. I'm aware that this situation isn't exactly ideal for either of us," I say. "But can we just try and get along while you're living here?"

I can't believe what I've just said. Normally, I'd never dream of standing up to Sydney Hammond. What's gotten into me?

Sydney sighs angrily.

"I can't believe you're even talking to me, Valerie. You're such a freak."

She disappears into the spare room, slamming the door behind her.

I stand on the landing for a moment, letting her comment wash over me.

It feels like I've just been stabbed in the stomach with a blunt, rusty knife.