Free Chanel Sweethearts by Cate Kendall Page A

really quite restrained, you know,’ her eyes widened at the injustice of it all. ‘Although I did just buy this fabulous Chanel bag last month in LA when I took the children to Disneyland; isn’t it to die for?’ She dropped the bag back onto the sofa in defeat.
    â€˜Our relationship has just become so stale and awful, there’s nothing but squabbles. And with everyone talking about this stupid economic crisis – well, it’s just too boring, isn’t it?’
    â€˜Have you tried counselling?’ Jessica asked and moved to retrieve the wine from the fridge.
    â€˜He’s suggested it a few times, but I figure why bother? It’s not going to help. I don’t know if I even want to work on the relationship. I just don’t know what to do. Please don’t tell anyone.’
    â€˜Of course not,’ Jess promised, topping up both their glasses.
    â€˜You know what? I really don’t want to talk about it any more, it’s so hideous,’ Tori said.
    â€˜No worries,’ Jessica said, ‘but I’m here whenever you need me, okay?’
    â€˜Thanks, love,’ Tori nodded, plucking a slice of baked eggplant from the platter. ‘And I’m sorry for dumping all this on you. You have enough relationship angst of your own to deal with.’
    Jess went back to sorting out her scrapbooking supplies. ‘That’s okay, sweetie, your stuff doesn’t make mine any harder; we all have things to deal with.’ She screwed the lid tightly onto her glue pot. ‘Sometimes I just wish I hadn’t been so sucked in by him, you know, but then I think that at least by trusting him I got those wonderful years with Liam and Callum.’ She sighed. ‘I can’t decide what would have been worse; never having them to begin with, or losing them the way I have.’
    â€˜Darling, it’s an impossible situation and there’s really no point thinking about all the what-ifs,’ Tori counselled.
    â€˜I know you’re right,’ Jess said as she screwed up scrap paper and threw it in the recycling bin. ‘He was such a phoney, you know,’ she said suddenly. ‘That’s what it was. He was such a good salesman as a wine rep that it spilled over to his private life. He would do or say anything to get his own way.’
    â€˜Oh, for sure,’ Tori said. ‘Like when he told Nick he barracked for St Kilda and managed to get him around to work all day during last year’s finals when Nick had origin ally said no.’
    â€˜Yeah, that’s right. I was so surprised about that. I couldn’t work out why Nick wasn’t going to the game. But he said, “Anything for a Saints fan.” Then when I told him that Graham was a Kiwi who didn’t even follow AFL he just stormed off. He never returned another of Graham’s calls.’
    â€˜Wow, what a dog.’ Tori shook her head.
    â€˜Come on, let’s go and sit out on the deck,’ Jessica suggested. ‘It’s a beautiful night.’
    Outside a blanket of stars sparkled from above and a gentle breeze flirted with the gums. ‘Here, this’ll keep you warm,’ Jess said and threw a mohair rug to Tori, who slipped it around her shoulders.
    They settled into the outdoor furniture with their drinks, the snacks on a table between them, and Jess continued her story.
    â€˜It wasn’t as if there was one big moment where everything fell apart between us, you know; it was more like a whole lot of little things that slowly eroded our relationship.’
    â€˜I know absolutely what you mean,’ Tori replied. She pulled the rug closer around her. ‘It’s like there’s just a long horrible rumbling of nastiness.’
    â€˜Exactly,’ Jessica nodded, tucking her feet under her body. ‘But I was so in love with the boys that Graham sort of faded out of the picture. The boys and I were a team. Perhaps that’s why he