in hindsight, that was the wrong thing to have done because I lost your friendship anyway. After all, you didn’t invite me to your wedding. I came as Drummond’s plus-one.’
‘I’m glad you’re here now,’ said Willow sincerely.
‘And while we’re being honest’ – Emma piped up, looking sheepish – ‘it was me who made those anonymous phone calls to the library.’
‘What?’ said Willow looking dumbfounded. ‘But how did you know Charlie had been unfaithful?’
‘For the same reason as Anna,’ said Emma, now looking timorously at Ben’s ex-girlfriend. ‘I’m the other person Ben confided in about Charlie. You see, Ben and I were seeing each other. Seeing… but not seeing. If you get my drift. He wasn’t a free agent. So I owe you an apology too, Anna. But, unlike Charlie, I promise you that Ben was never a cheater. We had feelings for each other. But nothing happened. He was with you and he wanted to make things work.’
Willow was so gobsmacked she couldn’t say anything. How many more surprises was today going to hold?
Anna gave Emma a rueful smile.
‘Ah, well, there’s something else I also need to confess. Ben and I wouldn’t have worked out in the long-term anyway. I’m not proud to admit that I’d started seeing Drummond while I was still with Ben.’
Her eyes swivelled to her ex-boyfriend, who was looking flabbergasted.
‘I’m so sorry, Ben. I was too much of a coward to properly end our relationship, so I used to create ridiculous arguments in the hope that you’d be the one to call time on us. And before you go decking Drummond, he didn’t know I was once your girlfriend. In fact, he still has no idea.’
‘Good God,’ said Ben, his mouth dropping open. ‘Well, rest assured I have no desire to punch the guy’s lights out. He’s my boss, and I’d quite like to keep my job, thanks. But…’ – he stared at Anna incredulously – ‘you and Drummond? He’s old enough to be your father.’
‘And your point is?’ said Anna, her tone suddenly icy.
‘Nothing,’ said Ben hastily. ‘I wish you all the luck in the world.’
‘Thanks,’ said Anna, looking slightly mollified.
‘Forgive me for asking,’ he said. ‘But I’m curious. How did the two of you even get to meet?’
‘The way most people do these days. Online,’ she added, upon seeing Ben’s baffled expression. ‘Yes, that’s what an awful partner I was, Ben. One who was actively seeking another relationship and creating arguments with you in order to get the green light to justify what I was doing. And it worked.’
She had the grace to look embarrassed.
‘I guess it’s all water under the bridge now,’ said Ben in bemusement.
‘But I really do mean it when I say’ – said Anna, looking at Emma again – ‘I’d be delighted if you and Ben properly got together.’
Before Emma could say anything, Ben had thrown his arms around Emma’s shoulders.
‘Darling Ems, I’m so sorry to have made you wait. Will you forgive me? Because I really do want to see you. I just didn’t want you to be a rebound, because I have a feeling about us.’ He paused, looking both awkward and embarrassed. ‘Hell, life’s too short, so I’m simply going to spit this out. Will you be my girlfriend?’
Emma looked at Ben in astonishment, joy lighting up her face.
‘There’s nothing to forgive,’ she whispered. ‘And yes, I’ll be your girlfriend… I’ll be your anything… your everything.’
She hugged him hard.
‘And I’d like to apologise to the two of you,’ said Willow addressing both Emma and Anna.
‘Whatever for?’ asked Emma, tearing her eyes away from Ben.
‘Yes, why?’ said Anna.
Willow studied her fingernails for a moment.
‘Because, when I received those anonymous texts, I had reservations about one of you being Charlie’s lover. Now I know otherwise, and I feel ashamed for doubting either of you. I just wish’ – she looked at her best friend – ‘that you’d felt able to tell me that you knew about Charlie’s infidelity.’
‘I wanted to. So many times,’ said Emma. ‘I just didn’t know how. It crucified me having to wrestle with my conscience. Instead I tackled Charlie.’
‘Did you?’ said Willow in amazement.
‘I didn’t want to drop Ben in it, so I simply told Charlie that I had female intuition that he was up to no good. He denied this was the case and instead told me he was waiting for the right moment to ask you to marry him. I still didn’t trust him to keep his todger in his trousers, so I