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He
ends the call.
    I shake my head in disbelief and
sink down onto the sofa. You’ve hurt me, Will, I think. I’m still holding the
handset when Leo returns. He gently removes the phone from my hand and places
it back on its cradle.
    ‘He’s not coming.’ I feel so let
down. Am I wrong to? Is this how other men would behave?
    Leo places a mug of hot tea in my
hand. ‘Drink up.’
    The tea is sickly sweet, but with
each sip I can feel myself calming down. It’s dusk. Leo draws the curtains and
switches on a lamp. He’s been so kind to me and whilst I’m loathe to let him go, I know he can’t stay. It wouldn’t be right. As he sits down beside
me, I place a hand on his arm. ‘Leo, I’ll be alright now. Thank you for
everything you’ve done for me.’
    ‘I could make you something to
eat.’
    I’m touched. ‘I’m not hungry, but
thanks for the offer.’ He’s so thoughtful, but it’s Will who should be here looking
after me.
    ‘You’re very pale, Gemma. I’m not
happy leaving you like this. Perhaps I should wait
until your …’
    I think I hear a sharp intake of
breath.
    ‘…boyfriend gets back.’
    ‘No!’ I smile to soften my tone.
‘Honestly, I’m fine. I’m stronger than I look.’ I flex my arm and he smiles. I
really don’t want Will and Leo to meet, not that there’s much danger of that as
Will’s still in the pub, but you never know, he could still do the decent
thing.
    ‘If you’re
sure.’ Leo
kisses my cheek. ‘I’ll see myself out.’
    I sit on the sofa for a long
time, holding my cheek. The later it gets, and the longer Will stays away, the
colder I get, both inside and out. I go to the bathroom and stare at myself in
the mirror. My eyes, normally blue-grey, appear grey tonight. Oh, where is
Will?
    I go back downstairs. It’s 11pm.
I’m so tired and my neck is stiffening up. I really want to go to bed, but I’m
determined to wait up for Will. I can’t believe how thoughtless he is, or should that be selfish? I’d have gone to him if the
situation was reversed. I get up off the sofa and pace the living room. He must
be on his way by now.
    Soon I’m back on the sofa,
dozing. I wake up with a start when I hear a key turn in the front door.
Seconds later Will’s leaning over me.
    ‘You alright, Gem?’ he slurs.
    Eww! He reeks of lager. I push
him away and he stumbles. ‘How do you think?’
    ‘Don’t be like that, babe. Come
here.’ He tries to put his arms round me, but I can’t relax into his embrace.
    ‘I needed you earlier on, Will.’
He’s let me down. It’s not as if there was an important reason why he couldn’t
come home straightaway. I mean, he was out with his mates whom he sees most
nights. He put them - and a booze fest - first.
    ‘I’m here now.’
    ‘You’re too bloody late.’ I stand
up. ‘You can sleep on the sofa tonight.’
    Will struggles to stand up. ‘You’re over-reacting. It’s not as if you were badly hurt.’ I
can’t resist slapping his face.
    Needless to say I don’t sleep
very well. My neck aches, but it could be worse. Thoughts of the accident, the
skin cancer, Will and Leo whirl round in my mind.
      I pretend to be asleep when Will comes into
the bedroom the following morning looking for a clean shirt. I can sense him
hovering over me, and when he’s gone I see he’s left me a cup of tea. I think
he is sorry – and so he should be – but I’m not ready to carry on as normal
with him just yet. I need to give our relationship some serious thought.

Chapter Seven

 
    The following evening I gaze in delight
at the bunch of gorgeous deep pink peonies on the kitchen worktop; they’re my
favourite. Will is leaning against the cupboard, his arms folded against his
chest. I’m aware that he doesn’t look happy, but I’m too drawn to the plump,
layered beauties to care. He’s finally bought me flowers, I think. They must be
to say sorry. I cup one of the buds in my hand and stroke a petal
reverentially.
    ‘Who the hell