Free Miss Spelled by Sarah Belle

falling in your lap. Anyone would think you’d be in your own place by now with all the money you’ve made…’
    The need to sit down is overwhelming. As is the sudden violent swirling in my stomach and head.
    ‘But then again, apparently your generation is renowned for living at home into old age. I guess it is important to have a lovely shoe collection, but Lou, for God’s sake darls, you need to do something with your life.’
    Oh fuck! My head falls into my hands and the desire to squeeze it like a vice is too tempting to refuse.
    ‘I know we’ve talked about it before, but both your father and I are getting worried. You’re just so…stagnant. You’re not getting any younger, you know. It’ll be slim pickings for you after you hit 31, believe me. The only men who will be left will be the ones no sane girl wants. Or you’ll end up as a stepmother to kids who will never accept you.’
    ‘The agency? The teaching agency?’ I ask, blocking out Mum’s rant.
    ‘No, the temp agency. Lou, are you alright?’
    I feel the blood pool in my feet.
    ‘I’m not a teacher?’
    ‘You were, for a few years. Lou, what’s happening, darls? You’ve gone all pasty,’ Mum says, grabbing my hands in hers, ‘and cold. Lou?’
    ‘What about Aiden?’
    ‘Aiden who?’
    ‘My fiancé Aiden.’
    ‘You’ve got a boyfriend? A fiancé?’
    ‘You’ve never met Aiden?’
    Oh no! Please tell me I’m dreaming .
    Mum shakes her head from side to side.
    ‘Mel?’
    ‘Of course I know Mel. She’s part of the furniture around here.’
    ‘But not Aiden? Tall, gorgeous, handsome, man of my dreams?’
    ‘Never heard of him, darls. Sorry, but if anyone answering to that description knocks on the door, I’ll be sure to let him know you’re available.’
    My bum hits the couch and my head hits a cushion. My entire body prickles and tingles. It’s like being jabbed by hundreds of acupuncture needles all at once, but without any of the therapeutic benefits.
    I grab for my mobile on the coffee table and scroll through the contacts but Aiden isn’t there. Jesus! My breath catches in my throat as my brain attempts to kick-start itself. Maybe he’s under something else, like F for Fiancé or L for Love of my Life?
    I search under every entry there is, but there is no Aiden. Stuff it, I’ll just ring him. I punch in the number and wait. It starts to ring. My heart thumps so loudly I am afraid of not being able to hear his voice when he answers.
    ‘Hello?’ the female voice says, ‘this is Aiden St. James’ phone.’
    It must be Tina, his personal assistant.
    ‘Tina?’
    ‘Yes, who is this please?’
    Oh, thank God. One quick phone call and all of this can be put to rest. Everything’s going to be okay. But why is my breath still rasping?
    ‘It’s Lou, Aiden’s fiancée. Is he available, please?’
    ‘Sorry, Lou who?’
    ‘You know me, we’ve met heaps of times. Aiden and I just got engaged.’
    The silence on the other end of the phone is long enough to induce nausea.
    ‘Ah, I’m sorry, Lou, but I think you’re mistaken. Perhaps you were after someone else?’
    ‘No! No, it’s Aiden I’m after, is he there? Please, this is a…an emergency.’
    Another spell of silence and then muffled voices.
    ‘Aiden, there’s a woman on the phone. She says she’s your fiancée, Lou,’ says Tina. I listen intently, desperate to hear every word. It is definitely Aiden’s voice and my spirits lift with a mixture of apprehension of what is to come and relief that he is alright.
    ‘Lou? I don’t know anyone named Lou. Can you take a message, please?’ says Aiden.
    My heart plummets towards my feet. How can he say he doesn’t know me?
    Tina removes her hand from the phone and speaks in a very professional tone, ‘I’m sorry Lou, but he’s not available right now. Can I take a message for you?’
    ‘He is so available. I just heard his voice. Please, please put him on. Please.’
    More silence and then a muffled, ‘She’s