Page 163 of Time To Learn

“I don’t think he’s coming back to me. To Ailith. She’s already asked me when he’ll be home ten times today, Trish,” I cry and put a palm over my mouth, trying to keep the heartache inside. “What am I going to tellher?”

Trish scoots closer and wraps her arms around me, and I burrow into her embrace.

“Shh,” she croons, her own breath hitching, “he’ll come home, babe. I’ve never seen another man look so in love with a woman as he does when you’re together.”

“But then why hasn’t he texted me since his plane landed?” I murmur, defeated.

“He’s probably not had much time,” she says as she leans away from me. “I bet he’s got loads he wants to say, but texting or a phone call aren’t the right ways to go about it, and he knows it, too.”

I want to believe her words, but the way her eyes flicker uncertainly, avoiding mine, tells me that she’s having as many doubts about it as Iam.

“Yeah, and I feel awful for being so selfish when I know he must be in so much pain.” I turn my head down to wipe my running nose on my black knitted cardigan.

“Don’t feel bad. From what you’ve told me, he hasn’t seen his father in, what, twelve years?”

I nod and shrug as I think back on the little Kristian’s told me about his father.

“Thereabouts.”

“Well,” she says and rubs my shoulders. “Just be patient, babe.”

As I come down from yet another crying jag, I grimace.

“I feel utterly disgusted with myself,” I grumble and raise my hands only to let them fall back in my lap. “I’m being a selfish old cow. It’s not likeme.”

When Trish grins at me, I groan.

“Actually, it’s Kristian’s fault.” I turn my face and rest my cheek on my knees. “I wouldn’t feel like such a wreck if he hadn’t barged into my life likethat.”

Her giggle makes me move my head and I raise my eyes to her amusedface.

“What?” I ask. “Why’re you looking at me likethat?”

She rolls her eyes at me and grabs her bowl of ice cream from the table.

“Because you’re starting to talk nonsense. Admit it,” she jerks her chin at me, “next to Ailith, he’s the best bloody thing that’s ever happened toyou.”

I can’t deny that, because she’s right. Still, I remain silent and wait for her to swallow the melting chocolate.

“You know I’m right, so you might as well givein.”

“Fine,” I sigh grudgingly. “You’re right, of course.”

“Besides, don’t tell me his bloody amazing lovemaking skills don’t have something to do with why you’re missing him so much,” she taunts me, waving the spoon so close to my nose, I almost go cross-eyed. “Your body misses that delicious, pierced, and hooded bandit, too.”

I snort as she waggles her eyes atme.

“Trish!” I whisper-shout, completely mortified. “Stopit.”

She lets out a low, infectious laugh, and I giggle.

“Thank you,” I whisper. “You always know the right thing to say when I feel utterly lost.” I wrinkle my nose at her. “Even when it’s inappropriate.”

“Oh, come on,” she laughs harder, “we’re the only people here, Laura. Who’s going to listen in on us when it’s almost…” She cranes her head to look at my pocket watch, “Almost eleven at night?” she finishes. “Both your mum and Ailith are fast asleep.”

I sigh and grab her spoon from herhand.

“Hey!” she protests loudly.