Free Independent Jenny by Sarah Louise Smith

about the old days, about our school friends, about the brothers who’d moved to the Isle of Skye. About the funny things we’d done and thought and said back then. She never gave me any indication that she was still thinking about Guy in any way other than as a fond memory. I’d never have guessed she was still thinking about him like that.
    Hayley met Kieran in a pub not far from the Travelodge in Bath. Come to think of it, maybe it was the same pub that Ross had met his latest conquest … Anyway, they had a drunken kiss and that was that. They dated each other for a year, moved in together, and got engaged just before Ross dropped his bombshell and we split up.
    We were split up, right? Separated? I wasn’t sure. It still kind of felt surreal to think of myself as a single woman, no longer married. An almost-divorcee. I tried to picture myself living alone and the thought made me feel physically sick. Anyway, I wasn’t going to think about Ross and that situation right now. I’d far rather concentrate on someone else’s problems. Like my crazy friend in the spare room.
    So, when I thought about it … Hayley loved Kieran. I knew that. He was adorable; so romantic and sweet to her. Worshipped the ground she walked on. Ran around after her. Put up with her fickleness and whims. He was handsome, smart, and always the perfect gentleman. She’d even told me that he picked up after himself and never left his socks on the floor, like Ross did. She didn’t know how lucky she had it, and I made a mental note to tell her that on our journey to Skye in the morning.
    I wondered if she’d find Guy there or not. It seemed unlikely but I had a nagging feeling as I lay in bed, that maybe this trip was actually a very, very bad idea. What if Guy was single, as attractive to Hayley as ever, and wanted to start up again? Wouldn’t that just confuse Hayley? Wouldn’t she end up hurt? Mind you, the chances were, he’d moved on by now. We’d probably just find his parents and they’d tell her he was married with four kids and she’d get over it. I hoped so, anyway.
    What if Will was there? That’d be weird. Although I liked the idea of finding out what he was up to these days. I imagined him married with children. He’d wanted to be a vet and I pictured him visiting his father’s farm, walking around in wellington boots and caring for any sick livestock.
    I looked at the clock. This time tomorrow I’d be in Skye and Ross would be here in this bed, which felt strange. Wentworth shuffled around and I cuddled up next to him, stroking his tummy.
    I closed my eyes and thought about Ross’ actions and felt the sadness that’d been floating around me turn into anger again. I found my mobile and I called him.

Chapter Fourteen
     
    I wasn’t sure if he’d be awake but he answered with a sleepy “Hello?” after a couple of seconds.
    “How many times have you cheated on me?”
    I was wide awake now, sitting upright in bed, in the dark. Hot blood was rushing around my body as I let the anger build up.
    “What?”
    “How many times Ross?”
    “Babe, it was just a couple of times, honestly.”
    “How can I believe that?” My voice was loud. Even Wentworth, asleep next to me, lifted his head.
    “I love you so much, Jenny. Please listen to me. I love you. Those girls mean nothing. Come on, you have to calm down. Shall I come over?”
    Did I want him to come over? A part of me did, I had to admit. Just for a few seconds. His voice made me picture his face and I wanted him here, in bed with me, where he belonged. Then I remembered the girls and found my resolve again.
    “No! Don’t come over. I’ll be leaving soon for my holiday.”
    I hung up, turned my phone off, and lay back down.
    And then there was Aiden. We’d become good friends over the past few years, spending time together as a foursome whenever he had a girlfriend, or just the three of us during the periods he was single. We went through a phase where we met up