her all wrong.” That was very nice, Ellie. Exactly the sort of text I wanted when I knew that Pat was round at yours with his trollop and all our friends. You have no idea how marvellous that made me feel.’
Ellie banged her mug down on the worktop.
‘What? What are you talking about? You know I don’t think that - not in a million years. I think Mimi’s a little cow. I don’t actually think anybody has given her a chance to be anything else, because we all feel so sorry for Pat and that must make her feel like shit. But I don’t like her. Good God, Georgia - I wouldn’t even think it, let alone send it to you in a text.’
Georgia reached for her handbag and grabbed her Blackberry. She flicked through a few screens, and then held the message up for Ellie to see.
‘Your phone. Your message. Saturday night. What more can I say?’ Georgia’s mouth was set in a firm line, and her head tilted slightly to one side. Raising her eyebrows at Ellie with a look of defiance, she looked the picture of fury. But Ellie knew this fury was covering a deep hurt. She got up from her stool and went round to Georgia’s side of the counter. Wrapping her arms round her friend from behind, and resting her cheek against Georgia’s stiffly held head, she spoke quietly.
‘Georgia, you’re my best friend. I love you. I promise you that I would never do or say anything to intentionally hurt you, and even if I thought Mimi was God’s gift to the world, which by the way I don’t, I would still hate her because she’s not you. I can’t stand seeing Pat without you. It’s like listening to the backing track of your favourite song without hearing the words and the melody. It doesn’t make any sense in isolation. Please believe me, I didn’t send that text.’
Ellie felt Georgia’s spine relax, and she leaned back slightly.
‘Sorry,’ she whispered.
‘No, I’m sorry,’ Ellie said. ‘I should have been round before now, but I did try to call and you didn’t answer, and the last couple of days have been… difficult. But that’s another story.’ She made her way back to her seat, glad that she had calmed the situation but kicking herself for not doing it before.
‘What do you think happened with the text, then, if you didn’t send it?’ Georgia asked.
Ellie raised her shoulders in a baffled shrug.
‘I’ve no idea. I was going to send you a text. I remember that. Something had happened that had upset me and I was going to ask you what I should do. But I don’t think I ever sent it. I can’t remember. Did you get any other texts from me that night?’
Georgia shook her head.
‘No - but I got several from Pat. I’ll get back to his weird behaviour in a minute. What was it you were going to tell me? What had upset you?’
Ellie made a quick decision. She couldn’t tell Georgia about Sean. That would make her seem as bad as Pat, and she couldn’t bear to see the disgust and disillusionment in her friend’s eyes. She did remember something about the text, although not the exact words. She knew that it was about her stupid mistake, and having to go out after midnight to meet Sean - although she was convinced she hadn’t mentioned his name - but that night had been such a living hell that she could barely remember what she’d even cooked. Thank God she’d never sent it.
‘It was nothing much - just something to do with Max, and it’s all sorted now.’ From nowhere a memory of that evening and the blood stained kitchen roll leapt into her mind. ‘Bloody hell - I know what happened. I was in the middle of texting you and Mimi came in the kitchen. I left her there and went back into the dining room. She must have sent it herself. The little…’ Ellie couldn’t think of a suitable word that wasn’t unpleasant. She didn’t like the word ‘bitch’ but if the cap fits…
Georgia was shaking her head slowly from side to side.
‘She really is something else, isn’t she? I know every woman must think this when her husband walks out, but what does he see in her, Ellie? Please tell me, because I am lost here.’ Georgia looked close to tears, but Ellie knew she would hate that. She liked to feel