Page 35 of The Best Friend
‘And then, your editor offered the column to her. Darcy didn’t go after it, did she?’
‘I don’t think so. I’m not really sure. I don’t know how the conversation went between them.’
‘Lou, I’m worried about you,’ Beth says. ‘You’ve been looking really thin and pale these past few weeks.’
‘I’m always pale,’ I say with an attempt at a smile.
‘I’m serious, sis. I think… Well, Carys and I think you might be a little depressed.’
‘You’ve been talking to Carys about me?’ A spark of anger ignites in my gullet.
‘I talk to Carys about everything,’ she says. ‘We both love you.’
‘You think I’m overreacting,’ I say, sliding off the stool, ready to leave.
Beth takes my hand and squeezes. ‘No. Sit back down. I don’t think you’re overreacting. I just think you might be seeing bad things when they’re just coincidences or bad luck.’
I stay on my feet. Part of me wants to slam out of her apartment, but I know that wouldn’t be fair. I know Beth is only trying to make me feel better. Trying to make me see the other side of the story. I want to believe that what she’s saying is true. To shake the constant dread rolling around in my stomach. I realise my thumbnail is digging into the side of my forefinger so hard it hurts.
‘And as for Jared’s new agency,’ Beth continues, ‘you need to support him. Be excited for him. It’s a big deal. He must be feeling nervous about it, too. The fact that Darcy and her husband are willing to give him a year’s free rent is incredible. I actually think they must like you guys, a lot.’
My heart rate slows at Beth’s words. I sit back down and gulp down a few mouthfuls of coffee. Could she be right? Could I be seeing bad things where there’s nothing? ‘Could there be some kind of catch, though?’ I ask. ‘With the free office thing.’
‘Bring me the contract before you sign,’ she says. ‘I’ll look it over for you.’
‘Would you?’
‘Of course. I can’t believe you didn’t talk to me or Carys about it before.’
‘I didn’t want to bother you. I feel bad moaning to you now.’
‘You’re my sister, you’re allowed to moan – as long as you don’t do it too often.’
I roll my eyes and she pulls a stupid face. I feel better already. I knew talking to Beth would help ease my anxiety.
The chorus toMr BrightsidebyThe Killersemanates from my handbag on the floor. It’s my ringtone – the song that reminds me of when Jared and I first met. ‘I better get that,’ I say. ‘Could be Joe’s school, or Jared.’
‘Sure, go ahead. I’ve got to get ready to leave in a minute, anyway.’ Beth puts her glass in the sink and leaves the kitchen while I fumble in my bag and hook out my phone.
It’s Darcy. Her ears must’ve been burning.
I take a deep breath and answer. ‘Hello?’
Instead of her overly confident drawl, her voice is quiet – almost a squeak. ‘Louisa?’
‘Yes.’
‘I didn’t know who else to call,’ she says. ‘Can you come over?’
‘What? Now? Are you okay, Darcy?’
‘No,’ she gulps. ‘No, I’m not. Please, can you come over now?’
I wonder what can possibly have happened to make Darcy sound so upset. ‘Yes, sure. I can be there in about ten, maybe fifteen minutes, okay?’
‘Thank you,’ she says.
‘Okay.’
