Bittersweet Summer

Chapter 8

"I have to pee," she said, and made her way to the ladies. As she stood, she saw out of the corner of her eye that Valerie was on her way too. She thought nothing of it, and left the bar. She swung the door open, looked back, and there was no sign of Valerie. She made for the furthest vacant cubicle, and locked the door. She heard the door to the bathroom open, and sat quietly. When she heard the cubicle door lock she knew that Valerie was inside, Michelle thought this would be the time to make her escape. She finished peeing and wiped herself dry. As she stood up to smooth down her skirt, she was sure she could hear noise, but had no idea what it was. Only then did she make out, it was a phone playing a voice note. She could hear a man's voice, and definitely heard the word love at least twice. What was Valerie listening to? As she flushed, she heard the volume go down, and she knew that, whatever it was, Valerie certainly didn't want her, (or anyone else) to hear. She opened the door, and made her way to the basin to wash her hands. As she did, and turned the tap on, the volume went up a little. She let the water run, but crept over to the door straining to hear. She heard, "I don't have much more time, and I need to tell you I love you, and how wonderful it feels to have you here for me at the end. Michelle smiled and felt a pang of sadness. Valerie had been seeing another man by the sound of it. Michelle coughed, and the phone went silent. As she washed her hands, the cubicle door opened, and a red faced Valerie stepped out. Michelle turned. "Are you ok Valerie?, you look a little peaky". Internally Michelle smiled, and wondered how Valerie would cover it up. And then the strangest thing happened. Valerie burst into tears and looked Michelle in the eye and said, "can I trust you?" As the tears ran from her eyes. Michelle was completely taken aback, but could see and almost feel this poor woman had something inside her that she needed to let out. And she was certain that it wasn't good, and even more certain that the last people who needed to find out were Grace and Tatiana. "Of course you can" she said, "what goes on in the ladies, stays in the ladies" and gave her a comforting smile to make Valerie feel better. Valerie mouthed "thank you" and sobbed. She pulled Michelle into the disabled loo, and sat down on the toilet and tried to gather her thoughts. "What is it Valerie?" (She knew she hated being called "Val" having slipped up more than once and had that acid tongue give her a dressing down for it) "are you ok?" Valerie looked up. The tears were drying now as she is dabbing at her face with a tissue. "I'm not sure" she said, "but I don't have anyone else to talk to, and I think you might at least be able to listen and not judge". Michelle was worried now. Both for her "friend" (though they were far from close, but the two men in their lives certainly were) and also for herself. "Well I certainly won't do that" Michelle replied. "what's on your mind?" Valerie had by now composed herself, and looked at Michelle. a hard deep stare with her eyes red from crying, which were both intense and alarming all in one. "I know you have been having an affair," Valerie said bluntly. Michelle almost fell against the door. "I am not having an affair!"she blurted a reply. Valerie smiled. "I know you are up to no good, Michelle, please don't think I am stupid". Michelle blushed. Valerie continued " and the reason I know is because I have been having an affair on and off for the last 13 years". If Michelle had managed to pull herself together after the first comment, she lost it again now. And found herself falling against the door again. Valerie smiled again. "So let's cut the bullshit and start fresh, I need someone to talk to, and those stupid bitches out there wouldn't know respect or discretion if it came along and slapped them around the face, but you, I think at least will be able to listen and not judge if I have your character right".

Michelle was taken by surprise, but also felt a little glow inside. It was the first time this woman had become truly "human" in her eyes, and clearly she had a side to her that NO ONE knew. And she respected the fact that Valerie had at least had the "balls'' to confide in her, never mind TRUST her with this information. Valerie continued. "Now isn't the time or place, and I have no idea what you heard or you thought you heard, but yes, that was me, and my lover. And I would appreciate it if this stays between us. Now, why don't we go have a drink with the boys, and let's make a date to have a girly catch up?"