Catastrophic Bliss (On Hold)

Chapter 2

As part of the whole starting over thing with Mark, Alia had agreed to go to a dinner with him and Kate in order to 'get to know him more'. Kate had also made a deal with her that if she went, they'd watch a movie afterwards. Alia still had her doubts about Mark but she was determined to try her best to get along with him. She wanted her mother to be happy more than anything in the world and if Mark was the person to make her mum smile everyday then maybe Mark wasn't as bad as she had first thought. This little event was coincidentally taking place in the exact same place and a similar time to Esme's not-date.

"Are you almost ready?" Kate called, reaching for her bag that she'd left on the kitchen table. Alia hurried out of her bedroom, brushing down her dress.

"Yep, ready to go." She answered, giving her mother a smile. Kate returned it, her face lighting up.

"Let's go."

"I know you still have doubts about Mark but I'm proud of you for trying." Kate said as they walked down the street away from their flat.

"I will always have doubts about Mark." Alia replied. "You can't stop me worrying that he's gonna pull a stunt like the last guy."

"I like to tell myself I picked a better man than that this time." Kate answered.

"I think any man is better than him." Alia agreed.

"There are worse around."

"Let's hope you don't go near them then."

"Oh, believe me, I will stay clear of them completely."

"Good. I don't want you coming home with any of them."

"What kind of person do you take me for, missy?"

"A lovely person." Alia answered, flashing a grin at Kate. Kate shook her head, a smile forming on her face.

"If you weren't so nice the rest of the time you'd be in a lot of trouble."

"What kind of person do you take me for, mum?" Alia mocked her mother. The smile stayed on both their faces.

"A lovely person." Kate answered, pulling her daughter close.

Ten minutes later they reached the restaurant. "Is Mark already inside?" Alia asked.

"He should be. He said he'd get the table." Kate reached for the door handle but before she could touch it, the door was pulled open and a girl ran out, her face hidden by her hands. Alia recognised her immediately. The girl was Alicia, a sort of friend from school. The pair had gone to a couple of clubs together and had bonded over their interests.

"Mum, I need to go check on Alicia. I'll meet you inside?" Without waiting for a reply, Alia ran off after Alicia.

She finally caught her up a street away from the restaurant, close to the shop where Alia worked. "Alicia!" she called. The girl stopped and looked up, her tear-stained face covered faint black lines where her mascara had run.

"Alia?" Alicia sniffed.

"What happened?" Alia asked, concern showing on her face and in her voice. Alicia closed her eyes and let out a sob.

"Sam cheated on me."

"What?" Alia exclaimed. Alicia nodded, tears beginning to form again.

"I caught him just now." Alicia sniffed.

"Caught him with who?" Alia asked, resting a hand on Alicia's shoulder as a sign of comfort.

"With me." A new voice joined the conversation. Alia looked up to see the formidable sight of Esme Hatfield.