Out Of The Mouths Of Babes

Fourteen

Fourteen

 Amy decided she’d let Natasha stew a while longer; trying to convince herself that her sister’s crime was worse than Ben’s. She was, as Becky had pointed out, her own flesh and blood. Not to mention her stunning good looks - she could have had anyone. This was what she was really struggling to understand. Why her own sister’s husband? She knew, deep down, that they were equally culpable. It was just easier to blame Natasha because she didn’t have to live with her. So it was she who drew the short straw.

The following Saturday, having ignored all of Natasha’s texts and phone calls, Amy called at Helen’s house. She’d planned to ignore her for at least a month, then tell her what she thought of her, and then, maybe, just maybe allow her to start making amends. But that was never going to happen. She wanted answers now. And she wanted to make sure they were concurrent with Ben’s answers. And she wanted her sister back.

Helen answered the door. “Hi, come in,” she said, stepping aside. “Please tell me you’ve come to bury the hatchet with Nat. She’s driving me up the wall. The constant questions - ‘How long do you think she’s going to carry on ignoring me? Do you think she’s ever going to forgive me? Do you think she’s forgiven Ben?’ She clearly thinks I’m psychic.”

Natasha came into the hall. “Who... Amy! I’ve been trying to ring you. I’ve sent you about a hundred texts.”

“And you’re surprised I didn’t answer?”

“No, of course not. I don’t blame you in the slightest.“

“Oh, thank you.”

“Please, Amy,” begged Natasha, “can’t we sort this out. There must be something I can do to make you forgive me.”

“Why don’t you two go and sit down and I’ll make some coffee,” Helen suggested.

Amy went through to the lounge and Natasha followed. They sat in silence for a few moments, before Amy said, “Just tell me why you did it, Nat. You’ve always had your pick of the blokes. Why did you have to have mine?”

“I didn’t intend to. We were so drunk that after I woke up the morning after, it was a good few hours before I could even remember sleeping with him. He had no recollection, either. And I swear to you, when it dawned on me what we’d done, I felt sick.”

Amy glanced briefly at her and looked away again. “I was going to ask you when and where it happened. I haven’t asked Ben. But, to be honest, I don’t think I want to know.”

Natasha placed a tentative hand on her shoulder. “I don’t know what I can say.”

Amy looked her in the eye. “Was it the reason you left?”

Natasha sighed. “Partly. I was contemplating it anyway, as you know. I can’t say for certain what would have happened if we hadn’t... well, you know.”

There was silence again. Amy knew that she ought to despise her for what she’d done. But despising the people she loved, even after they had hurt her so much, was proving harder than she’d imagined. She just wanted things back the way they were. She’d only just got her sister back; she didn’t want to lose her again.

“Right,” she said decisively, “enough’s enough. What you did was disgusting. I’d never, in a million years, do that to you, no matter how drunk I was. And you’re a coward, too. You’d never have told me the truth if Ben hadn’t have.” Natasha looked crestfallen. “But,” she went on, “against my better judgement, I’m going to forgive you. Because you’re my sister, and only because you’re my sister.”

“Amy, thank you. I know I don’t deserve it.”

“No, you don’t. And you’d better be extremely nice to me. And don’t expect things to just go back to the way they were. And if you so much as look at Ben in the wrong way, you’re dead.”