by Louise Hall
When she went downstairs, Cate found Liv on the sofa wrapped up in her duvet and surrounded by a mound of crumpled up tissues. Her eyes were red-rimmed; she’d been crying for a while.
“What happened?” Cate asked softly, sitting down next to her sister.
“They’re engaged,” Liv started crying again.
“Who’s engaged?” Cate asked.
“Ryan and the Bitch,” Liv said. “They’ve only been together a few months and they’re engaged. We were together 8 years.” After breaking up with Liv just before Christmas, Ryan had started dating one of Liv’s co-workers whom he’d met at her company’s Christmas party.
“Oh, honey,” Cate gave her sister a hug. “I’m so sorry.”
“I went into the kitchen at lunchtime and everybody was gathered around oohing and aahing over her engagement ring, which was the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen by the way.”
“He never did have taste,” Cate said. “Do you remember when he bought you those earrings in the shape of prawns?”
“Because I liked prawn cocktail crisps,” Liv sobbed. “Oh Cate, why couldn’t he be more like Kian?”
Cate was so surprised; she took a sharp intake of breath and started coughing.
“Here,” Liv handed her a clean tissue. “I know Kian cheated on you and that was horrible, I’m not excusing it but he wants you back, Cate. Do you know what I would give right now for Ryan to come here and beg for my forgiveness? I would give absolutely anything.”
“No, you wouldn’t,” Cate said, fiercely protective of her sister. “Ryan is a complete and utter waste of space and you are worth so much more than that.”
“Yeah but being worth more doesn’t keep you warm at night.”
“I’ll buy you a hot water bottle,” Cate said. “I’ll even put a photo of Michael Fassbender on it, how about that?”
Liv stopped crying for a second. “He’d never cheat, would he?”
“Who, Michael? No way. He’s the perfect man, remember?” Cate got up from the sofa. “I know what you need?”
“What?”
Cate rummaged through the stack of DVDs at the side of the TV. “Badminton in the Garden.”
After they’d watched Badminton in the Garden a dozen times, Cate checked her watch, “shoot, I’ve got to pick up Lola from Jean’s. Will you be OK?”
“I’m just going to watch this a few more times,” Liv reached for the remote control.
“I hate seeing you like this,” Cate said. “Do you want me to get you some wine? What was it you told me on Boxing Day; it’s guaranteed to make you feel better?”
“Think I might have been talking bollocks,” Liv said, smiling a little. “I just need to be on my own for a bit.”
“Okay but let me know if you need anything at all, I’m here for you.”
Liv had been such a support to Cate in the months since she’d left Kian that she wanted to do something to cheer her up. Later that night, after she’d put Lola to bed, she went on the IMDb and printed out Michael Fassbender’s filmography. After their morning class, Vanessa and Thom asked if Cate wanted to come to Subway with them but she explained that she had an errand to run.
“Cool, let’s all go,” Vanessa said.
“But I’m hungry,” Thom whined.
“Here, open your hand,” Vanessa poured some Skittles into it. “There you go, that should keep you going.”
When they got to HMV, they went straight to the DVD section. “Who are we looking for again?” Vanessa asked, scanning the rows.
“Michael Fassbender,” Cate showed her the list.
“Jeez, that’s a long list,” Vanessa said.
“I’ve highlighted the ones she’s already got,” Cate said, “and these ones with the stars next to them are the priorities.”
“I don’t know who he is,” Vanessa said, “is he hot?”
“Yes,” Thom squeaked, “yes he is.”
“Oh no,” Cate slapped her forehead, “not you as well.”
“What can I say?” Thom said, blushing. “The guy is gorgeous. Let me have a look at that list.”
Thom ran his finger over it. “Okay, I’ve got that one and that one, I’ll burn Liv copies. Ooh, you should definitely get that one.”
“Is that the one where he… you know?” Cate blushed.
“Yeah,” Thom nodded.
“Where he what? What does he do?” Vanessa badgered them.
Thom whispered it in her ear. “Oh my God,” Vanessa said. “Well then, you definitely have to get Liv that one.”
They spread out across the DVD section and came back together with their spoils. “What about this?” Vanessa said, holding up the 1st season of Hex. “Definitely,” Thom said. “He wears eyeliner in it.”
“Eyeliner?” Cate raised an eyebrow.
“Every guy looks more attractive with eyeliner,” Thom said, “it’s a fact.”
“Okay, I’ll get that, what did you find?” Cate asked Thom.
He handed her a copy of Angel. “I’ve not seen this but he plays a painter so I imagine he’s quite brooding and romantic.”
“Stop drooling,” Vanessa said, giving him a nudge. “What did you get, Cate?”
“This,” Cate said, handing over a copy of Shame. She looked around to see if anybody was watching.
“That’s the one, isn’t it?” Vanessa said, jumping up and down a little.
“Anyone would think she hadn’t seen one before,” Thom said.
“I can’t believe I’ve got to go to the counter and pay for these,” Cate said. She hid Shame in the middle.
“Come here, you’re such a prude,” Thom said, taking them from her. “I’ll do it.”
As they walked back to university, Vanessa said, “do you think Liv would let me borrow that one?”
“Why don’t you come over and watch it with us?” Cate said. “I’m sure Liv won’t mind.”
“Oh my,” Vanessa theatrically clutched her chest. “You mean we’d actually get to see where the great Cate Klein/Warner lives? What have we done to deserve such an honour?”
“Shut up,” Cate said. “What about next Monday night?”
“I’m free,” Vanessa said, straight away.
“Thom?” Cate asked.
“Go on then,” Thom said, pretending not to be chuffed with the invite.
CHAPTER 23
“Hello?” Cate opened the front door to Jean’s house. Because she lived in a quiet cul-de-sac and was friendly with all her neighbours, Jean often left the front door unlocked. “Jean? Lola?”
“In here Mummy,” Lola called from the kitchen.
Cate walked down the hallway to the kitchen; she could hear Lola giggling. When she opened the kitchen door, she found Lola sat at the kitchen table with her colouring book. Sat next to her was Sinead. Cate dug her nails into her palm; she’d successfully managed to avoid her sister-in-law since Christmas.
“Hi Cate,” Sinead said awkwardly.
“Come on Lo, you need to start putting your things away. Where’s Granny Jean?”
“She had a doctor’s appointment,” Sinead explained.
“Is she OK?” Cate asked quickly.
“It’s just a check-up,” Sinead reassured her. “I was here anyway, making wedding plans.”
“Oh, right. Well, thanks for watching Lola. We, um, really need to get going now.”
“Mummy,” Lola asked. “Why don’t you like Auntie Sinead?”
“Of course I like Auntie Sinead,” Cate lied. “What makes you say that, sweetheart?”
“Auntie Sinead wants me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding but she doesn’t think you’ll let me do it because you don’t like her.”
“I never said that,” Sinead gasped.
“Yes, you did,” Lola said. “You said it to Granny Jean.”
Cate knelt down in front of her daughter, “if Auntie Sinead wants you to be a bridesmaid, I think that’s lovely, of course you can do it.”
“Are you sure?” Sinead asked.
<
br /> Cate nodded, “she’s your niece.” She looked back at her daughter, “Lo, where’s your cardigan?”
“It’s upstairs,” Lola jumped down off the chair, “I’ll get it.”
Sinead waited for Lola to go upstairs, “there’s something I need to tell you.”
“Ha,” Cate scoffed, “it’s a little late for that.” “Oops,” she said, realising she’d said that out loud, “I’m sorry.”
“Will you stay until Mum gets back, she should only be another 10 minutes? I really need to talk to you.”
As if on cue, Jean walked through the back door. When she saw Cate and Sinead together, she quickly looked around, expecting to see blood splattered on the floor.
“Let’s go outside,” Sinead suggested, “please.”
“Fine,” Cate followed Sinead to the back garden. They went to the bottom of the garden, which still had the same swing set they’d played on as children. Sinead sat on one of the swings and Cate sat on the other.
“What did you want to tell me?” Cate asked bluntly. She wasn’t a big fan of trips down Memory Lane.
“I know you might not believe me but I’m really sorry.”
Cate suddenly started laughing; she didn’t know why. “I’m sorry,” she choked, when Sinead looked at her strangely. “It’s just, I was talking to a friend from uni and she thought I should try to forgive the people who knew what Kian had done but didn’t tell me. I was thinking about Ben, Erin, even Yoakey. I didn’t even put you on the list, I thought you wouldn’t care if I forgave you or not, we’re not exactly friends anymore.”
“Of course I care,” Sinead said stubbornly. “You’re my sister-in-law, we’re family.”
“Would you forgive me?” Cate asked quietly. “If one of my friends told the world about the night you lost your virginity?”
Sinead had tears in her eyes, “I know. I told her those things when we first started working at Cut; I was drunk and angry. I’d lost my Dad and I felt like you’d stolen my brother too. If I could take it back, I would. I’m not that person anymore. When I found out what Kian had done… I was just trying to protect you, we all were.”
They sat in silence for a few moments. “That’s why I wanted to talk to you. Jen… She’s going to be in a new reality show – it’s called something like The Shack. They put lots of “celebrities” on an island and try and get them to hook up.”
“Great,” Cate raised her eyes to the heavens. “I’m never going to be free of her, am I?”
After movie night was such a success Liv and Vanessa decided to organise a girls (plus Thom) night out in Manchester.
That afternoon, Cate was curled up on the sofa in the basement, channel-surfing. After finding out about Jenna’s new reality show from Sinead, she wasn’t really in the mood to go out. She was kind of hoping if she stayed down there long enough, Liv would go without her.
“There you are,” Liv sat down next to Cate on the sofa. “Have you seen the Blitz today? The Blitz was a celebrity gossip site.
Cate braced herself, “if it’s about Her, I already know, Sinead told me.” Had publicity for the Shack started already?
“It’s not.” Liv shoved her laptop towards Cate. “I wasn’t going to tell you but I know you’re really tetchy about that so…”
Cate looked at the screen. “Love Rat Warner Steps Out With Mystery Blonde.” There was a photo of Kian and his Mystery Blonde, known only as “Emily” coming out of one of the restaurants on Deansgate. Kian had his arm wrapped protectively around Emily’s waist and they were both laughing.
“Do you know her?” Liv asked.
Cate looked more closely at the photo. “I don’t think so. I don’t remember him mentioning anybody called Emily?”
“I’m not going to jump to conclusions,” Cate decided. She didn’t want to believe that Kian had been lying to her again. She picked up her phone, “I’m just going to call him.”
The phone rang twice before Dave, Kian’s agent answered. “Cate, how are you?”
“Um, I’m OK,” Cate hadn’t expected anybody but Kian to answer his phone. “Are you after Kian? I’ll just get him for you. Emily, where’s Kian?”
Cate switched off her phone. “What did he say?” Liv asked.
“I’d better get dressed,” Cate got up from the sofa. “What time are Vanessa and Thom getting here?”
“I don’t get it,” Liv said, following her up the stairs. “I thought you didn’t want to go out tonight.”
“I’ve changed my mind,” Cate scowled, thinking about Kian. “It happens all the time, apparently.”
As they made their way downstairs at Revenge, Cate felt incredibly self-conscious. She’d allowed Vanessa to choose her outfit tonight; she liked the skinny jeans and the peep-toe stiletto boots were OK but above the waist was just wrong. She was wearing a black blazer which would have been fine except there was nothing underneath but tape to keep her boobs in place. They’d wanted her to wear it like that, with just a single button fastened to protect her modesty but she’d flat-out refused. She might not have much in the way of boobs but what she did have, she wanted to keep private. Liv had suggested she wear a multi-strand black, beaded necklace which fell down to her navel and it did obscure most of her cleavage but she still felt massively underdressed.
“What if I start sweating and the tape falls off?” Cate asked while they were in the taxi.
“Geez Cate,” Vanessa said, “stop complaining, I hope my tits are as good as yours after I’ve had a kid.”
“Vanessa,” Cate hissed as she caught the taxi driver leering at her in the rear-view mirror. “Keep your voice down.”
“I bet he’s heard a lot worse,” Vanessa giggled before turning to Cate. “Listen to me, I know it’s scary because you’re way out of your comfort zone right now but you look fierce and we’re going to have so much fun tonight.”
“I still don’t know what’s wrong with what I wanted to wear.”
Liv scoffed, “you’re only 23 but you dress like a freaking pensioner.”
“I do not,” Cate protested.
“We’re here,” Vanessa trilled, as the taxi pulled up to the kerb.
There was a decent line outside but Thom’s cousin was working the door and got them straight in. They grabbed an empty booth and Thom went to the bar to get the first round of drinks. Vanessa immediately craned her neck to see if she could spot any celebrities.
“Isn’t that that guy from Hollyoaks?” Liv pointed towards the bar.
“Where?” Vanessa asked eagerly. “It is and look, he’s on his own. Let’s go and talk to him. I’ve always wanted to pinch his bum.”
While she was alone, Cate texted Irene to make sure Lola had to gone to sleep OK.
“Is this seat taken?”
A man Cate didn’t recognise sat down beside her, draping his arm across the back of the booth. His fingertips tickled the back of her neck. Everything about him was slick. His blonde hair was gelled back and he reeked of cologne. He was wearing a white shirt and black dress pants; he’d rolled up his shirt sleeves and the gold watch on his wrist looked expensive. He was sitting far too close to her so Cate moved along a little bit but he followed her. She wondered if he’d mistaken her for somebody else?
“I’m Luke,” he whispered in her ear. “What are you drinking?”
Okay, either he’s a really touchy-feely waiter or he’s flirting with me? She hadn’t flirted with anybody except her husband. Darn, her mood quickly soured as she thought about Kian and his Mystery Blonde.
“Thanks,” Cate tried to brush him off. “I’m okay; my friend’s just gone to the bar.”
Luke put a hand on her knee and rubbed circles with his thumb. “I like your necklace,” he said softly. “I bet I’d like what’s underneath even more.”
Cate blushed. Did guys really say things like that?
As she scanned the room for her friends, she spotted someone familiar at the bar.
“No,” Cate murmured. She didn’t even
notice Luke’s hand tracing the seam of her jeans up her inner thigh.
“Who are you?” Vanessa asked bluntly when she came back to the booth.
Luke quickly took his hand away from Cate. “I’m Luke. I was just getting to know your friend here.”
“Oh, you were, were you?” Vanessa looked at Cate, who had a stricken look on her face.
“Hon, what’s wrong?” Vanessa nudged her. “Cate?”
“Sorry,” Cate said quickly. “This was a bad idea, I should go.”
She got up and pushed past Luke and Vanessa. “What is it?” Vanessa grabbed her arm. “What’s wrong?”
Cate didn’t want to make a scene. She already felt ridiculous. “She’s here.”
“Who?” Vanessa asked. She followed Cate’s gaze to the other side of the room. “Is that…?”
Kian had just got in the car when his phone rang; he’d had a meeting with his agent. “You’d better get down here, man,” Yoakey said.
“What’s going on?” Kian asked wearily.
“I’m at Revenge and your wife’s here.”
Kian shrugged, “So, Cate can do what she wants.”
“Yeah but Jenna’s here as well.”
“Fuck,” Kian grunted. “Thanks for letting me know.”
Vanessa had that look in her eye that said she was on a mission. She picked up the glass of red wine that Liv had ordered and marched over to the gaggle of bottle-blondes at the end of the bar. When she was a couple of feet away, she pretended to stumble just enough that the red wine sloshed out of her glass and all down the back of Jenna’s expensive white dress.
“What the…?” Jenna spun around, her hair extensions swinging wildly.
“Oops,” Vanessa giggled.
“You bitch, you did that on purpose,” Jenna hissed. “You’re going to pay for this.”
“Oh yeah?” Vanessa didn’t back down. “I’ve heard you like getting paid or is that just when you suck off other people’s husbands?”
Cate felt compelled to intervene. “Come on Ness,” she said softly, putting a hand on her arm. “She’s not worth it.”
“It’s not my fault that she couldn’t keep her husband satisfied,” Jenna said smugly.
