Free The Bamboo Mirror by Faith Mortimer Page B

realised.
    ‘Would you like another cappuccino as you’ve only had half a cup?’ Chris smiled.
    ‘No. I really am fine. I’m sorry; it’s not the skirt. I didn’t sleep well last night and…’ She waved a hand at him wishing she didn’t sound quite so harsh. He was only trying to be helpful and kind. Kind? Will never was. ‘I’ll finish this and then I must get to work.’
    ‘Where do you work?’
    ‘In an office in the town.’
    ‘Aha.’ He leaned back in his chair studying Alex. ‘And can I ask just why you’re so tired, why you didn’t sleep last night? Talking to a stranger might seem strange but we’re hardly likely to run into each other again. It might help to talk and put things into perspective.’
    Alex shivered in spite of the warm summer’s morning sun. He spoke a lot of sense. She’d recently seen an old film where two strangers met and built up a relationship over the years…she frowned. She didn’t know him and yet…
    ‘I’ve just told my partner of eight years to leave.’ Alex whispered.
    ‘Ah! Now I understand. No wonder you couldn’t sleep. It must have been very upsetting,’ he paused.’ Can I ask why?’ His face looked very kind and caring as he looked at Alex.
    ‘Things have been under a strain for some time. Will was - is a bully and hated sharing me with my friends. He was extremely possessive and jealous, even to the point of choosing which clothes to buy and what I should wear when we went out together.’
    ‘I see. But if you put up with that for eight years, why the sudden change of heart now?’
    ‘It’s just become too much. I couldn’t take all that anymore.’
    ‘Why didn’t you just ask him to back down? Thank him but you’d prefer to do your own choosing in future?’
    ‘It wasn’t just that. Not entirely. Will believes in belittling me too. You know the sort of thing. I was just a woman, my work wasn’t important and I only got where I was because I fluttered my eyelashes at the boss blah, blah. It’s totally untrue. I really worked hard to get where I am. I went to night school and then took a degree with the Open University’
    ‘Good for you. My elder sister did that. Took a science degree when she really wanted to take an English one, but the course was full. Anyway she stuck it out, passed with a tremendous 2:1 and now writes books. You may have heard of her, Diana Rivers. She writes mystery thrillers, and dramatic adventure novels.’
    ‘Not the Diana Rivers? I love her books. Gosh, I’m talking to a real live author’s brother.’ She gave a chuckle.
    ‘That’s better. You have a lovely smile.’
    Again the velvet curtain of silence hung between them.
    ‘And then last night I was absolutely shocked.’ She paused and looked stricken, remembering.
    ‘Go on.’
    ‘I found out that for all his holier than thou, hypocritical views, bullying and possessiveness, the rotter was having an affair.’
    Chris looked momentarily stunned at her outburst, and then incredulity covered his face.
    ‘And you’re worried about throwing him out?’
    ‘Well eight years is a long time and…’
    ‘Alex you can’t be serious. You trusted him. Living together is the same as being married without the ceremonial ties. Both partners have to live by the rules surely?’
    Alex looked away, embarrassed and contrite. ‘I am sorry. Perhaps Will’s right. I am weak.’
    ‘No you’re not. You said you worked your way up in the company, and took a degree to help get there. That’s not easy when you’re working in a full time job. I know my sister worked really hard to get hers.’
    He looked and sounded like he really cared, if only Will had been as supportive.
    ‘Look. Let him go. Start anew. I know it’s difficult looking into the future but you’ll get over him. And he doesn’t deserve you by the way. You’re far too pretty for him.’ He gave her a rakish grin, which made her smile.
    Alex sat back and thought about what he’d said. She knew in her