Free Deranged Marriage by Faith Bleasdale Page A

had known forever.
    It wasn’t until we were seated that George looked at me, properly. Then it was only to ask me what I wanted to drink. Before I had responded he ordered a bottle of champagne. That was it, I’d had enough!
    ‘What is this?’ I demanded.
    ‘What?’ he snapped.
    Winter had entered the building.
    ‘You know, dinner here, champagne? George, last time I was with you, you were in pieces, and now I feel like we’re celebrating, although I have no idea what we’re celebrating.’
    ‘We are celebrating.’
    ‘What though?’
    ‘Us.’
    ‘Us? You mean our friendship?’
    ‘No. Holly, you’re a bright girl, so I am surprised that you haven’t got it yet. I’m almost disappointed that you haven’t got it yet.’
    ‘Got what?’ I was totally confused.
    ‘We are meant to be together, that’s what. Holly, you and I are meant to be and no one can keep us apart.’
    I was stunned; mortified and stunned; rendered speechless. While my brain tried to process the information sufficiently for me to respond, George continued.
    ‘It makes perfect sense. You are the only person who has never let me down; I am the same for you. This whole mess with Julia has made me realise the truth. I guess you’ll realise soon enough that Joe isn’t the man for you...I am.’
    ‘George, this is absurd. The last time we met, when you wanted to make sure that Julia was the “one”, you said that you were sure that I wasn’t. I presume you remember all that “physical encounter” stuff? You said that you were one hundred per cent sure that Julia was the one for you, and I wasn’t. And to be honest, although I was angry with you, I agreed. So how come, now when you arrive back here, minus the fiancée, I am the woman for you all of a sudden?’ My voice was raised ever so slightly.
    ‘Holly, calm down. To be honest, I expected you to react like this, but that doesn’t change things. I guess I am just more enlightened than you at this moment, but don’t worry, you’ll come round.’
    ‘I will not.’ I stopped as I realised that my last comment was a little too loud and had drawn attention from other diners. I tried to compose myself. ‘George, you’re mad. I have Joe now and I love him. Just because your relationship didn’t work out, doesn’t mean that I am here to be your second-best.’ I had managed to keep the volume down.
    ‘You’re not second-best Holly, you’re the best . You’re the one, I know that now. I was just blinded by Julia’s physical qualities, but looks aren’t everything. You might not have her looks, or her success, but you are a much better person, a much better person for me.’
    I cannot describe my feelings at that moment; they were disparate. But I do know that I had never been so angry in my entire life.
    ‘I am not,’ I hissed. ‘I am not anything for you. George we were friends, try to remember that, we were friends for years and years; best friends. You do not do this to your best friend.’
    ‘I don’t see why you’re upset, I am telling you that I love you.’
    ‘You don’t. For God’s sake George get a grip.’
    ‘Holly, no offence but as I said, I am further down the road to enlightenment, and I know you’ll come round. I do love you and I know that soon you’ll realise that you love me too. It will happen.’
    ‘You’ll have a long wait,’ I replied as I stood up and, discarding the opportunity of lovely food and drink headed for the exit.
    ‘Wait,’ George shouted after me. ‘You’ve forgotten your flowers.’
    Walking out of the restaurant hungry and minus the flowers I hailed a taxi and headed home. My head spinning I tried to make sense of what George had said, but I couldn’t. In a short time so much had happened, too much had changed and I felt unbalanced.
    I had an overwhelming desire to laugh. He had propositioned me with the warmth of an ice cube and there was definitely a distinct lack of romance in his declaration. Obviously he had lost