‘Well, at least you weren’t hurt. Or worse, you didn’t hurt anyone else.’
Melissa took a long swig of her Prosecco and nodded mutely. The dark circles around her brown eyes had deepened and her skin was blotchy and spotty. Her signature braided hair was lank and dishevelled. On the CD player, a U2 album played gently in the background, reverberating softly off the walls.
‘Are you sure you don’t want any food?’ Amy came in from the kitchen and put her hands on her hips, while giving Melissa a look that Sophie couldn’t read.
‘No. Thank you.’ Melissa drained her glass and picked up the bottle from the small occasional table beside her to refill it. A couple of foamy drips oozed out and Melissa frowned in confusion, as if she was puzzled that it was empty.
‘There’s none left, Liss. You finished it off!’ Emily tried to laugh but it stuck in her throat and became an embarrassed cough.
Around the room, they all exchanged glances. Sophie and Emily had collected Melissa from the police station in Rye, where she had been cautioned for driving without due care and attention. Sophie was hugely relieved to hear that she hadn’t been charged with anything worse, such as drug possession. Melissa, on the other hand, seemed irritated and unconcerned.
As Melissa had rightly predicted, Emily gave her a stern talking-to in the car back to the house. ‘What if you’d killed someone?’ She looked in the rear-view mirror at Melissa, who was draped casually over the back seat of Emily’s Renault.
‘I didn’t, though, did I?’ Melissa shot back. ‘Anyway, I hadn’t taken any drugs so that wasn’t why I crashed the car. I just got distracted for a minute.’
Emily pursed her lips. ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah. Tell it to the judge. Listen, you might have got away with it this time but you won’t be so lucky next time. And someone might get hurt. You need to grow up and take some responsibility for yourself, Melissa!’
A thick, sulky silence was the response from Melissa for the next few minutes, until she seemed to forget the conversation entirely and began to chatter inanely about the brilliant new album by Jay-Z, which had just been released.
Emily had tutted in disgust, while Sophie desperately tried to calm her own urge to throw Melissa out of the car. She seemed so unaware of how irresponsible and dangerous her behaviour was. Sophie had always made excuses for her, citing her age, her single status, her lack of family support but actually, now that they were all nudging thirty, the excuses were becoming thinner and thinner, much like Melissa herself.
As they arrived back at the house, Amy greeted her nervously, as if she didn’t know what to say or how many questions to ask. But Melissa seemed not to notice and immediately threw herself onto one of the sofas, declaring that she was ‘desperate for a drink’.
Having drained a bottle of Prosecco single-handedly, Melissa now looked as though she was ready to drop off to sleep.
‘Why don’t you go to bed, Liss? You must be shattered after such a stressful day.’ Emily’s voice was measured and patient.
‘Yes, Melissa, that’s a good idea. Let’s just forget today ever happened and start afresh in the morning.’ Sophie tried to emulate Emily’s patient tone but it was so at odds with how she felt that she failed. She suspected that even Melissa would detect the annoyance behind her words.
She needn’t have worried. Melissa gazed at Emily, as if she was trying to focus, or possibly even remember who she was. Then she frowned slightly, her smooth forehead crumpling momentarily, before nodding.
Emily crossed to the sofa and helped Melissa to her feet, as if she was assisting an elderly patient. Then the two of them shuffled out of the room together, looking like participants in the world’s slowest ever three-legged race.
The moment they’d gone, Amy emerged from the kitchen and brought her mug of camomile tea to the large table in the middle of the room. ‘Thank God for that!’ Sophie followed suit and pulled up a chair.
‘Emily’s being so patient with her!’ Amy took a sip of her tea and shook her head incredulously. ‘I don’t know why – she doesn’t deserve it.’
Sophie looked at Amy in surprise. Amy had never expressed irritation with Melissa before. It just wasn’t her style to bitch. Melissa often used Amy and Nick’s basement as a crash pad and she suddenly wondered if Amy was getting fed up with her unwanted guest.
‘If it was just the drinking and the drugs, that would be bad enough. But it’s the… other stuff,’ Amy continued.
Sophie frowned. ‘Other stuff?’
Amy’s pale skin flushed slightly. ‘Yes. Like the penchant for married men and the sleeping around. I think she needs a bit of tough love. We’ve tried being understanding and helping her out of the sticky situations she seems to keep finding herself in. Maybe now’s the time to tell her that until she gets a grip and takes responsibility for her actions, we don’t want to see her.’
Sophie inhaled sharply. ‘I’m not sure I could bring myself to do that…’
‘I could.’ There was a new steeliness to Amy’s voice that alarmed Sophie. Had Melissa made a move on Nick? Surely even she would draw the line at seducing a friend’s husband, especially so soon after the birth of their first child? But even as she told herself that no one could be that callous, she somehow knew that was what had happened. Was she too soft on Melissa? Was tough love the answer? She just didn’t know.
The next morning dawned clear and bright, the sun already comfortably warm by 8 a.m. Sophie quietly opened the French door and walked out onto the balcony of the bedroom she was sharing with Melissa, who slept on, oblivious to the ructions she had caused.
The wide, white sandy beach stretched out in front of her, the sea twinkling azure under a matching sky, and her breath caught momentarily. She loved the sea so much. Whenever she stood in front of an ocean, she would fantasize about taking a boat, sailing into the horizon and disappearing.
They had stayed up late last night, talking over what to do about Melissa. Sophie was worried about the idea of telling Melissa that she wasn’t welcome until she pulled herself together. ‘But don’t you think she needs our help?’ She had looked from one to the other, trying to find some agreement, but Sophie could see that Amy and Emily had made up their minds and she too had eventually come to the conclusion that there was no alternative.
She loved Melissa. She just didn’t love what she was doing with her life at the moment. And even though Amy hadn’t confirmed anything, she felt sure that something dubious had gone on with Nick. That was a line too far for Sophie. The only way to give Melissa the shake-up she needed was for them all to distance themselves from her. They had always been there for her and it would shock her to her core if they suddenly weren’t.
Her family background meant that, despite appearances, Melissa was vulnerable and needy. There was a horrible possibility that losing her friends would tip her over the edge into something even worse. But to carry on supporting her while she behaved so badly was unthinkable. Sophie took a deep breath and prepared herself, before letting herself back into the bedroom.
Melissa slept soundly, looking peaceful and more beautiful than she had any right to do. Her braids fell around her smooth, brown shoulders, giving the rather fitting impression of a black halo around her. The irony wasn’t lost on Sophie as she slipped out of the room and down the sweeping steel staircase.
She found Amy in the kitchen, emptying the dishwasher. Her long auburn mane of hair was scrunched into a messy bun on top of her head. She wore a matching pale blue silk camisole and shorts, showing off her long, long legs and toned arms. Her pale skin was flawless, except for a smattering of freckles across her pert little nose. She didn’t look like a woman who had recently had a baby. She looked up as Sophie came into the room and smiled. ‘Morning! Mums up first again.’
Sophie grinned back. ‘Yup. Emily will be down next, I guarantee it. It’s ironic, really, as we’re the ones who need a lie-in most but your body clock just goes haywire, doesn’t it?’
Amy nodded and poured Sophie some coffee. ‘Here. Shall we take it out onto the beach?’
‘Sure.’ Sophie took the mug gratefully and headed outside onto the wide strip of sand in front of the house. Amy followed and they walked towards the water’s edge, Sophie savouring the feeling of the warm sand between her toes. She sat down, taking care not to spill her coffee. ‘God, this is heaven, isn’t it?’
‘It is.’ Amy dropped down beside her, gracefully crossing her legs beneath her. ‘I’m so glad I came. I nearly didn’t.’
‘Why not?’
Amy shrugged. ‘Nick wasn’t too happy and it’s hard leaving Megan.’
Sophie nodded. ‘I know. But you need a break, Amy. And even though it’s hard to leave them, it’s amazing how quickly you get over it – usually after the first glass of Prosecco!’
Amy laughed. ‘That’s true.’
‘So…’ Sophie scooped up some sand with her spare hand and let it fall through her fingers, a peculiarly satisfying sensation. ‘How are you finding motherhood?’
Amy reached up and untied her hair, which tumbled down her back in copper-coloured ripples. ‘It’s hard.’ She tilted her chin up towards the sun and closed her eyes. ‘I don’t know how you coped, Soph, and I definitely don’t know how Emily coped. Jesus, imagine having to do it by yourself…’
‘I know. She’s pretty amazing.’ Sophie gazed out to sea for a minute, thinking. Amy had an army of people to help her. She had probably never had a sleepless night, thanks to the maternity nurse she and Nick had hired. Yet even she had found it tough going. It made Sophie feel better somehow. She and Steve had managed it all between themselves with very little help. Maybe she wasn’t such a hopeless mother after all.
‘And what about Nick? How’s he taken to being a dad?’
There was a beat too long before Amy replied. ‘Great. He’s been great… but he works a lot. You know how it is.’
Sophie didn’t know. Steve had never prioritized work over Emma. He had doted on her from the second she was born and couldn’t get home quickly enough to see her. But then again, maybe Nick enjoyed his work more than Steve did. She wasn’t quite sure what Nick did but it seemed to involve property and travel. Whatever it was, it made him a lot of money.
‘What’s she like? Megan, I mean?’
Amy’s face melted into a wide smile. ‘Oh, Soph, she’s perfect. Just so sweet and so good! We got her into a routine from the start and she never seems to stop smiling. I just didn’t expect to feel the way I do about her. It’s like falling in love for the first time.’
That old familiar prickle of guilt caused Sophie’s stomach to clench. She should have felt like that about her little Emma from the start. Emma, who had also smiled her way into the world; who had always fed and slept well and whose huge blue eyes twinkled with the sense of humour she was already starting to display. She wondered if she would ever forgive herself for the indifference she had felt towards her cherished little girl in those early days. ‘I know exactly what you mean.’ The well-worn lie tripped off her tongue all too easily. It was what people expected and it was less complicated than having to explain how you really felt.
They sat in silence for a while, each of them breathing in the sharp, salty tang of the sea and enjoying the moment. Eventually, Sophie spoke. ‘Amy, last night, when we were talking about Melissa…’
Amy’s expression hardened instantly. ‘Hmmm?’
Sophie hesitated, unsure whether to continue. ‘Well, I got the feeling that maybe something had happened between you and her? Something bad.’
Amy didn’t reply but she pursed her lips slightly.
‘It’s fine if you don’t want to talk about it…’ Sophie swallowed, regretting bringing it up.
‘No, it’s OK,’ Amy said, eventually. ‘Nothing happened between me and her.’
‘Oh. OK.’ Sophie frowned to herself, nonplussed.
‘But unfortunately I’m not sure the same could be said for her and Nick.’
‘Oh…’ Sophie said again. ‘I did wonder—’
‘I saw them, late one night,’ Amy cut in, her eyes drifting, as if they were running from the tears that were chasing them. ‘Megan was six weeks old.’
A sudden burst of boiling rage shot through Sophie. Whatever issues Melissa had, this was unforgivable. She had crossed a line that no woman should ever cross and she was glad that Melissa wasn’t within physical reach.
‘She doesn’t know I saw them.’ Amy’s voice jolted Sophie out of her fury. ‘Neither of them do.’
‘Oh God, Amy. I’m so sorry. I honestly don’t know what to say.’
‘It’s fine. And it could have been worse. It was just a drunken kiss… I don’t think it went any further than that. Trouble is, it was obvious they both wanted it to, even if they didn’t actually have sex.’
Sophie shook her head, trying to find an upside to what Amy was saying but there wasn’t one. Knowing that your husband wanted to sleep with one of your best friends was almost worse than discovering that he had. Any hesitation she might have felt about cutting Melissa out of the group for a while dissipated in an instant. There was no other option. She finished her coffee and stood up purposefully. ‘Right, I’m going to tell her to leave. I don’t want her spoiling what’s left of this weekend.’
‘No.’ Amy stood up and faced Sophie, her eyes narrowing and her lips set in a straight line. ‘I’ll do it. With pleasure.’
Melissa was still asleep when Amy barged into the room. She could feel her rage boiling to the surface when Melissa didn’t even stir, despite the disturbance. Amy grabbed the duvet and hauled it off her, revealing Melissa’s perfect, petite frame, wearing just a sleeveless top and a thong. For some reason, the sight of her looking so perfect enraged Amy even more. ‘Melissa! Get up. Now!’
Melissa’s eyes shot open in alarm and she sat bolt upright, looking around her in confusion and shock. ‘What? What’s going on?’
Amy clenched her fists, aware that if she didn’t leave the room now, she might very well punch Melissa. ‘Get some clothes on and come downstairs. I want to talk to you.’
As she stalked out of the room and headed for the stairs, she could hear Melissa muttering to herself. ‘Can’t you just bloody talk to me here? Fuck’s sake!’
Emily emerged from her bedroom, frowning as she pulled her robe around her. ‘What’s going on?’ She followed Amy down the stairs.
Amy swept into the huge living room where Sophie was waiting, chewing her lip nervously.
‘Amy, what the hell’s going on?’ Emily asked again.
‘Yes, what’s going on?’ Melissa appeared, having thrown on a pair of cut-off denim shorts and a T-shirt.
Amy leaned against the glass table for support – she was shaking all over. ‘We’d like you to leave. Now.’
Melissa immediately looked at Sophie, who shook her head and dropped her eyes. ‘What? Why?’
‘Because I saw you and Nick. Together. Kissing. I know what’s been going on, Melissa, and I’m not going to take it any more. I’ve discussed it with Sophie and Emily and we’d like you to leave.’
Melissa’s cheeks flamed instantly. ‘Nothing’s going on, Amy! I don’t know what you think you saw, but it was nothing.’ She wrung her hands together, looking at Amy with a pleading expression.
‘I know what I saw and it wasn’t nothing!’ Amy’s voice quavered and she swallowed hard. ‘Megan was six weeks old, Melissa!’
‘Jesus,’ Emily muttered, before coming to stand beside Amy in a gesture of support.
‘So,’ Amy continued, drawing herself to her full height and tilting her chin up. ‘We’d like you to leave. And you are not welcome at my house again.’
Melissa slumped into a chair and put her face in her hands. ‘I’m sorry,’ she whimpered. ‘It meant nothing. It was just a drunken kiss. I’m really sorry.’
‘Get up!’ Amy was shocked at the vehemence of her own words but all the hurt and anger she had been bottling up for so long was now erupting in a torrent and she couldn’t stop herself. ‘Get up, go upstairs and pack your things and get out. There’ll be a taxi waiting by the time you come back down.’
Melissa looked up slowly, her thin face wet with tears. ‘Please, Amy. I’m so sorry. I’ll make it up to you. Please don’t—’
‘I said, get out!’ Amy yelled, making all of them jump.
Melissa stood up shakily and threw Sophie a pleading look. ‘Soph?’
Amy looked at Sophie and could see she was wavering. Finally, she shook her head. ‘No, Melissa. You’ve crossed a line here. You need to leave.’
‘Is this… for ever?’ Melissa sounded like a frightened child, her eyes huge in her tiny face.
Sophie glanced at Amy before speaking. ‘You need to sort yourself out, Melissa. Don’t contact us again until you have.’
Melissa burst into noisy tears and rushed out of the room, leaving a stunned silence behind her.
Amy sank down into a chair, all the rage leaving her body instantly. She felt weak and wrung out. Sophie knelt down beside her and put an arm around her shoulders. ‘It’s OK, Amy. It’s hard, but she needs a bit of tough love. Otherwise she’ll never sort herself out.’
Amy nodded. Already she felt guilty but Sophie was right. This was the only way to make Melissa take responsibility for her behaviour. She just hoped it didn’t push her over the edge.