Siobhan stood at the landline. She wasn't sure if she should call her. But she wanted a friend right now, and Vivian said she would be her friend.
She put in the number and let it ring. She was feeling a bit disheartened after letting the phone ring for a while.
"Hiya" she heard the other woman answer, she found the northern twang in her voice quite comforting.
"How does Saturday morning sound?" Siobhan asked instantly, she wasn't intent on engaging with small talk over the phone.
"Yeah yeah that works, Jamie's with a sitter on Saturdays anyway" Vivian agreed. "So there's this nice coffee shop just on the outskirts of town. Would that work?"
Siobhan agreed.
"Oh- remember, no mobiles" Vivian finished.
...
Siobhan was grateful that Vivian had decided to go for a coffee shop outside of town. Roger was out playing golf on a Saturday morning so she knew it wouldn't be a problem. She was glad to be away from prying eyes. At least in this area she wasn't as known.
She walked into the coffee shop and was instantly greeted by the comforting aroma. Siobhan loved coffee. It was the one thing that still brought comfort regardless of any circumstances. She glanced around the coffee shop until her eyes landed on Vivian. She let out a breath before walking over and greeting the woman.
She sat opposite her, she was grateful for the lighting in the coffee shop. It wasnt too bright, it was a warm light. Siobhan hated bright lights, she felt naked when she stood under bright lights. She felt transparent and that everyone could see her for who she was. Regardless of this, she adjusted her hair so she could better hide herself.
She gotten so used to that. Hiding, or at least being hidden. She felt like she had to at all costs. The privacy that she so wished for was being taken from her day after day since moving in with roger. She was a ghost of the woman she used to be. She was so sick of being seen as "Rogers squeeze" or whatever else people saw her as, she wanted to be seen as human. Vivian saw her as a human. Part of Siobhan believed it was because Vivian didn't know her very well yet. But despite this, she wanted time to appreciate the blossoming friendship.
"I got you a cappuccino, figured it was your thing" Vivian addressed. Siobhan took a moment to really look at the woman. Her hair was the same, slightly sweeped back out of her face but she was wearing what looked like an old band t-shirt under a baggy denim jacket. Siobhan was so used to seeing her in her scrubs when she picked up Jamie or casual lounge wear. She admired the casual look that Vivian had. Siobhan always looked prim and proper. She found that it was the easiest way to hide the fact that her life was falling apart, quicker than she could piece together.
"How did you know?" Siobhan barely cracked a smile. "Cappuccinos are my go to-" she already knew Vivian would be a good friend.
"Good intuition I suppose" Vivian answered before taking a long sip of her americano.
"I don't usually drink this, but between the three year old and the healthcare job, I'd have this injected into my veins if i could" Vivian defended with a grin. Siobhan really liked this grin. It was carefree and genuine, unlike most things in her life. She felt safe with Vivian. No where else was safe, every other place led back to him. She was glad to feel somewhat safe around Vivian. She wasn't going to let her guard down yet though.
The two women talked for a good hour and a half. They were for the most part, swapping questions and getting to know each other. Siobhan ignored the confession waiting to spill out. She was grateful that they were only meeting for coffee, because if they had met for wine, Vivian would know everything.
