Never As It Seems

Chapter 28

Amber lay awake in the late morning. She was willing herself to get up but she did not want to. It felt to her as though if her life started again, so would Jay's and she couldn't bear the thought of him leaving today. She knew it was stupid, that he was probably already well on the road but if she got up today, she would have no choice but to begin the moving on process. There was a knock at her door and Callum, not waiting for a response, rushed in with the house phone.

"For you!" He shoved the phone at her and exited as quickly as he had entered.

Amber's heart jolted at the distant hope that it might be Jay on the phone. Shaking it off as stupid, she answered and smiled at the voice greeting her.

"You're lucky to have a friend like me. I'm totally exhausted after last night but you need to get up and out and on with your life."

Amber put her hand to her head and smiled. Dessa always could read her mind or it felt like it anyway.

"I've got two days before I go and I need to show you the ropes with Dad. They said he can come home tomorrow if all goes well." Dessa continued.

"That's great news!" Amber enthused.

"Yep and I want everything to be perfect for him. Plus I need to finish packing."

Amber sighed and pushed her duvet back. "Okay operation move on with my life. What's the plan?"

"Just get over here as soon as you're ready and we'll go from there. But here are the rules... No mentioning him and no sulking, wallowing or crying."

Amber pursed her lips, not sure if she was ready for this but knowing she needed to do something. After a pause she responded.

"Okay I'll see you in about an hour."

"Great! I'll..."

"Dessa." Amber interrupted.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."

"And no mushiness!" Dessa said with a smile in her voice. "See you soon."

***********

Amber waited patiently at the door as, on the other side, Dessa undid multiple locks and latches. She was still nervous about the attack on her father and had made sure there was plenty of extra security installed at the house.

When the door opened Dessa greeted her friend with a hug. She looked pale and tired but she seemed upbeat and almost too cheerful. Amber followed her to the kitchen, avoiding suitcases and piles of clothes on the way. Dessa flicked on the kettle and pulled two mugs from a cupboard. The girls were silent for a while. Amber knew that usually by now, they would be dissecting the events of the night before but they both knew they couldn't do that without mentioning Jay.

Eventually they slipped into easy small talk and after drinking their tea in the garden, Dessa showed Amber where everything was. She had really made a huge effort to get the house in shape before her father's return. It was spotless. When Amber knew what was what as far as taking care of her friend's Dad, she watched as Dessa continued to pack her things for Uni. It seemed all her possessions were spread out in the hallway and as she sorted the piles into new piles, Amber sat on the ground with her back to the wall. She tried to keep the conversation going so as not to give herself a chance to let any thoughts about Jay creep in. They talked about Dessa's Uni and how her friend, Paul had already arranged to introduce her to people and show her around. They chatted about Amber's plans for the coming year and what she was considering doing with the time.

"It's strange, apart from Africa and a couple of other things, I've no idea what I'm going to do." Amber confessed. "Which isn't going to please my parents."