Free What goes around comes around (Lily’s Story) by O.C Shaw

I say, pulling him into a swift hug.  “See you
Monday night; I hope the course goes well.  I love you,” I add.
    “Yeah, and you,” he says, moving
away, awkward with the open display of emotion.  He’s so like his father ,
I think as I watch him struggle to say what he feels.  He gives a wave over his
shoulder as he walks down the path and away, and with that I’m alone.  I feel a
shiver of excitement thrill through my body, and I can’t really put my finger
on what caused it – I’m just a bit demob happy, I guess.  I go back
upstairs to finish loading my gear into the large backpack I’m taking.  The cab
arrives perfectly on time to get me to work for my shift, and I leave the house
without a backward glance.
    Emma arrives at 1pm promptly with my dress, shoes and a sandwich
for each of us.  I pick at mine as we sit on the bench in the little garden
attached to the surgery.  I’ve been trying to avoid bread as part of my weight
reduction scheme. 
    “You’re looking good, Lil,” she says, looking at me sideways
as she tucks into a turkey sandwich.
    I really don’t know where she puts it all and stays so
slim , I think uncharitably as she finishes hers and eats the other
untouched half of mine, immediately stopping myself and feeling guilty when I remember
just how much this girl has done for me over recent days, weeks, hell,
years, let’s be honest! And for God’s sake, the woman is having a baby;
can’t I just be kind when she’s gone out of her way for me?
    “Yeah, you’re the second person to say that today,” I
finally acknowledge.
    “Don’t tell me Greg actually paid you a compliment!”
    “Don’t be silly,” I laugh. “Ethan told me I’d lost weight
just before he left.  I guess the gym is working.”
    “It is, Lil, but you were always beautiful anyway, whatever
size you were.  You just never realised it.”
    “You’re just my best friend and therefore obliged to love me
whatever I look like – it’s part of the contract,” I counter.  This is an
old conversation, and one which I’ve always liked to deflect away from as
quickly as possible.  “So when are you picking up the new car?”
    “This weekend,” she says, instantly buzzing with excitement. 
She has already informed me that they’ve found a car at the local Audi showroom
that is second-hand but with really low mileage which she loves.  There’s only
the paperwork and insurance to sort out before it’s hers.  “How about I come
and pick you up in it on Monday evening when the coach gets in?  I assume Greg
isn’t?” 
    I can’t miss the slightly accusatory tone in her voice. 
She’s right, of course.  It hadn’t crossed Greg’s mind to offer.  I had been
planning to get a taxi from the coach meeting point.
    “That would be perfect, although I might be a bit muddy
after the walk that day.  Are you sure you don’t mind me getting into your
shiny new car?  I might make it dirty.”
    “Hell no!  Hey, I’m going to have a puking baby in the back
soon, so I think we can cope with a bit of mud.” 
    I hug her as we say our farewells, and she makes me promise
again to send her a photo of me in my dress, before I make my way back inside
for the rest of my shift.
    The rest of the time ’til 4pm drags at work, as I stare at
the clock, watching the minutes tick slowly by.  When one of the doctors tries
to get me to start a patient search at five to four for anyone who has missed
their flu jab, I abruptly and uncharacteristically tell him I don’t have time. 
He looks at me surprised, and I realise this is probably the first time I’ve ever
said no to him .  Why is it people really only notice me, or even look at me,
when I do something unexpected?  The rest of the time they just take me for
granted .  At 4pm prompt my taxi pulls up, and without a word to the others
I grab my pack and head out the door.
    “Good luck,” one of the other receptionists calls as she sees
me leave.  She had