Chapter twelve: Affairs To Forget

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I stared at her. "Really? What about us?"

Shelley sighed, looking uncomfortable and apparently seemed to be thinking to herself before continuing. "Well, I'm sure it's nothing," she said finally.

"Shelley, what are you talking about?" I asked, trying not to sound annoyed. "Look, I'm sorry, but you can't keep me hanging on like that. Especially if whatever you're talking about is supposed to be about me and my friends."

Shelly nodded her head. "You're right, of course," she said finally. "Well, Judy thinks you're after some guy she likes....Aidan, I think?"

I thought of the text message and tried not to roll my eyes. "There's been a misunderstanding, that's all," I said carefully.

"Well, I overheard her talking to Kate when I was in the ladies' and she really seems to think that she can't trust you anymore. She said that she thinks you're sneaky and deceitful and don't care about her at all."

I noted Judy's weird attitude but the statement I'd heard sounded over the top, even for her. I couldn't work out why she would say something like that. Where was this attitude coming from? It didn't seem to make any sense. However, I did feel that both she and Kate were turning on me. I knew that I would have to confront them on this issue, sooner rather than later. "I guess I need to find out what exactly is bugging her," I replied. "I'm sure it's nothing. Mountain out of a molehill. Storm in a teacup. That sort of thing."

Shelley shrugged. "She doesn't sound like a particularly great person," she asserted. "Why not just ask you what's going on, instead of assuming the worst?"

"Look," I said testily. "I don't really know what the deal is at the moment but I've known Judy for a while now and I'm sure there's a very good reason for behaving this way. I intend to get to the bottom of it."

Shelley nodded her head. "To each their own," she said musingly. She suddenly glanced at her watch and seemingly gasped. "Oh my God, I've really got to be getting home," she said. "It's already nearly five, I can't believe I'm so late!" She jumped up then and started gathering up her things.

I got up and started picking up my own. "Yeah the stores will be closing soon and I'd better head home as well," I said. "Better start getting ready for my hot date!"

"You've gotta tell me all about it on Monday," Shelley smiled. "I can't wait to hear the gossip! Anyway, don't do anything I wouldn't do. Make sure you have loads of fun." She blew me a kiss and started to head off.

"How are you getting home again?" I asked.

"Oh Brian's picking me up," she said with a laugh. "We're going out to dinner tonight, so I need to get home as well to get ready. We're going to some new sushi bar."

"Oh well, then, see you on Monday," I said to her and watched her as she raced off, saddled with all her shopping bags.

I sat back down at the table and continued gathering up my things and wondered how I was going to carry all my stuff to my car, when I noticed keys that weren't mine on the table. Picking them up, I saw the tag was clearly labelled: SHELLEY CARTER, followed by her mobile number.

Making sure I had the rest of my stuff, I looked around but saw that Shelley had already taken off. Going in the direction I had seen her leave in, I headed straight for the parking lot and looked around, wondering if I was going to get a chance to see her. Catching sight of her, I started to follow her, getting ready to call out, when I stopped short in surprise.

Derrick "Dudd" Davies was standing at his car, waiting for her. She dropped her bags, threw her arms around him and gave him a passionate kiss. I stared in absolute horror. After the kiss was over, he opened the boot of his car and put her things away and then after closing it, gave her another passionate kiss, before helping her into his car, then climbing into his side and taking off. I was pretty sure they hadn't seen me, as I was still a good distance away.

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