Time After Time Read Online Free Page B

fired, but … I … I just can’t face any of that right now.’
    ‘Charles really is a shit,’ Mark said. ‘Is there anything you can do?’
    ‘Other than leave?’ Hayley shrugged and drained her glass, then sighed. ‘He’s making my life a misery and I’m turning into a bitch. I’m no fun to be around. Rick said something about a big project he’s bidding on and what did I do? Bit his head off, that’s what. We got into an argument about Halloween costumes and the washing.’
    ‘Uh-oh,’ said Mark.
    ‘I know. I’m pathetic.’
    ‘That’s not fair and –’ Ellen said.
    Hayley cut her off. ‘It
is
. I’ve morphed into a whining git who doesn’t have time for anybody and –’ She threw a hand up into the air. ‘You see? I’m whinging again. Mind you,’ she said, ‘it wouldn’t hurt if Rick could remember to get stuff done around the house.’
    Ellen nodded silently.
    ‘A conversation might not be a bad idea,’ Mark said.
    Hayley laughed. ‘Rick said something about me having,’ she made air quotation marks ‘a wall around myself.’ She saw Ellen and Mark’s faces. ‘What? You agree?’
    Ellen looked down and fiddled with her watch, avoiding eye contact. Hayley recognised the stalling manoeuvre instantly.
    Mark took the lead. ‘Look, when I saw Rick last week he told me things were a bit, uh, tense.’ Hayley started to protest but Mark continued. ‘And Ellen said you withdraw when you’re unhappy, didn’t you?’ Hayley saw Ellen shoot him her very best ‘shut up or die’ stare but Mark didn’t seem to notice and opened his mouth to continue.
    ‘What Mark is
trying
to say,’ Ellen said loudly, putting a hand on his thigh, ‘is that you don’t talk as much as you used to and perhaps you should.’
    Hayley felt her shoulders stiffen. Rick had spoken to Mark about their problems behind her back? The double standard wasn’t lost on her – because here
she
was, talking to them.
    They were my bloody sodding friends first
.
    She ignored how childish it sounded in her head. What else had Rick told them? That they hadn’t had sex in three months? As she felt the heat rising to her face, Hayley changed the subject clumsily, not caring how obvious it appeared.
    ‘Will you cut my hair Ellen,
please
, I’m desperate. What do you think about colouring it? Would chestnut look good?’
    Ellen took the bait. ‘Maybe more of a golden brown? It’ll brighten your skin.’
    ‘And will you do mine too, honey?’ Mark said in a high voice. ‘I hear highlights are all the rage again.’
    Ellen laughed and elbowed him in the ribs. ‘Shush, you.’
    ‘And work’s okay?’ Hayley said, trying to keep the focus on Ellen. ‘Still enjoying it?’
    ‘Love it. Although this week? Completely nuts. I’m so glad my boss gave me the weekend off. I’m knackered.’
    ‘And you?’ She looked at Mark.
    ‘Never better,’ he said as he stretched out his arms. ‘I’m living the dream, I am. Selling insurance always was my calling. In fact, I want a T-shirt that says “Insurance agents are premium lovers”.’
    Ellen groaned.
    Mark laughed. ‘Nah, it’s fine. It pays the bills.’
    ‘How’s your dad?’ Ellen asked. ‘Any better?’
    Hayley shook her head.
    ‘It’s only been a year,’ Mark said.
    ‘I know, but …’ Hayley sighed deeply. ‘He’s not improving anymore, you know?’ She shook her head. ‘I’ll never hear him talk again. He’ll never walk properly again …’
    Ellen nodded. ‘I can’t even imagine … How’s your mum?’
    ‘She copes.’
    ‘Still writing for that greeting card company?’
    ‘Yep. And each time I see her in a new light. The stuff she comes up with is disgusting.’ A smile returned to Hayley’s lips. ‘It was a caption for a picture of an old, wrinkly, naked couple the other week. Something about saggy boobs looking like testicles.’
    Mark almost choked on his drink. ‘Nice.’
    As they drank more wine and the evening passed, Hayley mellowed.