A Moral Dilemma: A Romantic Comedy Chick Lit Story

by Zara Kingsley

  “Oh,” I said with my best poker face on. “So, is that why you’ve got the hump today?”

  “What?” she asked turning to look at me. Then realising I was probably implying she was jealous of Abby crashing out with Seb, she gestured her hand in a dismissive motion. “Oh I don’t care. Abby’s always been closer to Seb than she has with me.”

  “Juju! That’s so not true!”

  “Oh yes it is Becky,” she stated so calmly that I couldn’t quite tell if she really wasn’t bothered, or if she was just pretending not to be. “You know as well as I do, he was her first love. Actually, her only love.” I opened my mouth to say something but couldn’t think of anything to say. I just couldn’t believe that Julia had mentioned the unmentionable! Of course I knew about Abby and Seb’s romance, but this little nugget had been chalked up as history long ago. So why on earth was Julia mentioning it now? “I know she thinks I don’t deserve him.”

  “Julia, what are you talking about?!”

  She turned to me and smiled as if it really did not matter. “She doesn’t.”

  “You have completely lost the plot,” I said shaking my head at her. “It was Abby who introduced you to Seb in the first place, remember!”

  “Actually, she was more showing him off, than introducing him to me.”

  “Look Juju. If Abby didn’t want you to be with Seb you would’ve known about it by now. Believe me. She’s happy for you guys…she’s just…concerned.”

  “Concerned?”

  “Well, yeah! I mean you’ve cancelled two weddings already and you’re not exactly jumping for joy over this one. And be honest Juju, you have been acting…rather strange lately. Staying out? Not wanting to talk about where you’ve been? All this secrecy. We’re supposed to be friends.”

  “Oh Becks,” she said and gave me a cuddle. “I’m sorry.”

  “No worries. When you’re ready to talk, I’ll be here OK?” she nodded and I looked over her shoulder to see Abby flicking her hair, in flirty conversation with Mr Adonis. “Anyway,” I said to Julia, “you don’t have to worry about Abby wanting Seb, looks like she’s got enough on her plate with Don Juan over there.” Julia spun around in time to see Mr Adonis lightly stroking Abigail’s arm. “They all succumb to her fatal charms eventually,” I joked, sipping my juice. Julia must not have been in the joking mood, as she tensed up and glared at them, as though she was…disgusted …no, she didn’t look disgusted…more…humiliated, as if that made any sense. I slumped back on the couch, lacking both the energy and the inclination to deal with Julia’s pendulum moods today; ticked off that I still hadn’t managed to announce my own good news; slightly peeved that she hadn’t even asked me about how things were going with Charles Coombs; wishing that I had stayed at home curled up on the sofa with Kitty Kat! I watched as Abby seductively gave Mr Adonis her infamous “soon sweetie”, empty promise by pressing her finger against his lips, purring something, no doubt highly suggestive, in his ear, then turning hotly on her heels leaving him literally grovelling at her feet. I watched her swish her hips as she headed toward us, wondering why some women were born with this special magnetic ingredient, and others were not. And if it was this special ingredient that allowed some women to end up with men like Charles Coombs, whilst other women, namely me, could only hope to attract the likes of the cheating bloody Jerrers. “I can’t believe you’re still interested in him,” I said to Abby as she sat down beside me.

  “Who Jason?” she asked innocently. “Oh I’m not interested in him darling. Not at all.”

  Julia leaned across me to look Abby in the face. “Well, you looked pretty interested!” she said sounding strangely accusatory.

  Abby gave her a look. “Well I most certainly am not.” She stretched out her legs and tied her hair up in one swift movement. “I’m merely reclaiming the power. And now that he wants me – I don’t want him.”

  “What makes you think he wants you?” Julia asked petulantly.

  Abby blew a kiss over to Mr Adonis, who promptly blew one back. “Oh he wants me alright,” she laughed. I shook my head and smiled at Abby, secretly admiring her attitude. Julia, however, had no such admiration it seems. She snatched up her bag, red faced, blowing fire, and slammed her drink down, spilling it all over the glass table.

  “I’ve had enough training for one day!” she snapped and stormed off, but not before managing to throw a really evil look in Mr Adonis’s direction.

  Abby gave me a wide-eyed look. “What the hell is wrong with her?”

  “I was hoping you could tell me. She’s been acting weird since I got here. What happened with you guys last night? And what’s all this about you crashing out with Seb on the sofa Abby?!”

  “Darling, Juju was so pissed at me suggesting a sleepover, she faked a headache and went straight to bed! How dull is that! Well,” she pouted, “I wasn’t at all tired, so I stayed up chatting with Seb.” Then she turned to me and said, as if it were nothing, “You know, he’s having second thoughts about getting married.”

  “What! Why?!”

  “Frankly darling, I’m quite surprised you even have to ask. You’ve seen how Julia’s been behaving lately. Hardly jumping for joy at the prospect of marrying Sebastian is she? And let me tell you, she should be bloody well shouting from the rooftops! She doesn’t realise how lucky she is to have such a great guy. Why should Seb have to put up with her ungrateful, resentful attitude?!” I opened my mouth to speak but Abby was on a roll. “Don’t you think he deserves to have someone who truly appreciates him? Who actually wants to be with him? Not someone just looking for a safe option?” I stared at Abby, wondering if the world as I knew it would ever be quite the same again. What the bloody hell had happened last night to turn these two friends into raging foes. Sure I’d seen them fall out before, but I always knew it was over something petty, and that once the dust settled it would certainly all blow over. But this…I didn’t even know what this was about! And whatever this was, I wasn’t so certain it would easily blow over.

  I looked at Abby quite seriously. “Were you and Seb drinking last night?”

  “What? Of course we were drinking! What kind of a nonsensical question is that?” Then, catching the look in my eye, Abby dropped her jaw and narrowed her eyes at me. “If you’re implying what I think you’re implying Rebecca Hardy, then you really do not know me at all!” she snapped, slammed her drink down, spilling it all over the glass table, and stormed off.

  “Oh brother,” I sighed. And to think, the only reason I even came down here today was because I had some good news to tell! Huh! So much for good news. I felt totally dejected, and didn’t even have the energy to react when the Gustard bopped in front of me, grabbing his crotch.

  “So wha,” he said, “your friends fucked off?”

  “They have,” I said mechanically, “fucked off.” It took Gustard a couple seconds to realise that I had not in actual fact, told him to ‘fuck off’, and that I had actually for the first time ever, given him a ‘straight up’ answer to his ‘straight up question’. He seemed momentarily stunned by my alien attitude, but he recovered quite quickly, throwing himself down on the couch beside me, and sitting with his legs so wide apart I thought he was trying to do the splits!

  “So,” he said taking a chance at starting a conversation, no doubt preparing his thick skin for the vehement response he believed would surely follow, “what’s occurring?”

  “I got a book deal,” I said mechanically.

  “For real?! Aiiii!” he said, bopping his head. We sat in silence for a few moments then he said, “Yeah, I is getting a rapping deal, innit.” I looked at him blankly. “Yeah, we ain’t done the legal side yet, but Simon Cowell heard mi tape innit. Told me I got bare talent.” A few more moments of silence. “So, you want my number?”

  “No.”

  “So can I get yours?”

  “No.”

  “Gimmie your mate’s number den. The one wiv the tits.”

  “Fuck off Gustard.�
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  I managed to drag myself up the one flight of stairs to my apartment, with every good intention of collapsing straight into bed, but as soon as I turned my key in the door, the bloody phone started ringing. I kicked off my shoes, scooped up Kitty Kat and fell onto the sofa, watching the phone ring. One thing was for damn sure, it would have to stop ringing eventually. And, just like that, it stopped. I exhaled, enjoying a few moments of silence. And, just like that, it started ringing again.

  “Bloody hell,” I said to Kitty Kat, who meowed her own worthy complaint. “I totally agree with you,” I said stroking her back. I waited for the phone to stop ringing and almost yanked it out the socket, when it immediately started up again! “Hello!” I roared.

  “Hey Becks,” Julia’s little voice responded. “Bad time?”

  “No. No. Just tired. And very grumpy. You OK?” She was quiet so I wasn’t sure she heard me. “Are you OK Juju?”

  I heard her take a deep breath. “Becky – I’ve cheated on Seb.” I blinked. Luckily I was already emotionally spent, which prevented me from behaving like the raging lunatic I would have normally been, in such circumstances, but instead I remained impassively calm. Which it seems was just what Julia needed right now. “I’m an immoral indecent woman! I can’t believe I’ve been so stupid! I’ve got to tell Seb what I’ve done. He’ll cancel the wedding…” she trailed off and I could hear her wailing and blowing her nose, rather loudly. “Oh Becks…what am I going to do?”

  I massaged my temples and resisted the urge to tell her that I couldn’t believe she had stooped to such a low standard as to actually cheat on the saintly Seb! Was she crazy! Didn’t she realise just how good a man he was, and that most women, myself included, are never lucky enough to find someone as loyal, decent and caring as he! And what does Miss Butter-Wouldn’t-Melt go and do? Fuck about! Like I said, I resisted that urge pretty well.

  “Julia, why?” was all I could manage.

  “I don’t know,” she sobbed. “Seb was the first and only man I’ve ever been with…”

  “What? Hold on a second Juju. We went to university together remember? I know about all the backseat romps!”

  “Nothing ever happened,” she sniffed.

  “What, with the way you would brag about it the next day?!”

  “I lied. I guess I didn’t want you guys thinking I was prissy. Especially the way Abby would party.”

  “Are you really telling me you were a virgin when you met Seb?!”

  “Uh huh.” Holy cannoli! “I made him promise not to tell anyone. He was the only man I’ve ever known Becky. You know…like in the biblical sense? I guess I’ve always wanted to experience a little bit more of…life …before settling down, which is why I panicked and cancelled the other two weddings. I got caught up in a crazy moment and all it’s done is just confirm to me how lucky I am to have Seb, and how much I love him. But I’ve got to tell him. Haven’t I?”

  I rubbed my temples again, and resisted another urge. This time to tell her that having only had sex with one man up until the age of twenty-eight years, was damn near freakish! Having this affair just served to make her more normal in today’s society, and maybe she really ought to try to squeeze a couple more in before the big day?! Damn. Am I becoming cynical or what? “Are you still seeing this guy?”

  “No. Definitely not. Never again.”

  “Well Juju, maybe you shouldn’t mention this to Seb. I mean, you’ve learnt your lesson. You’re certain it won’t happen again…”

  “Definitely not!”

  “…And you do want to marry him right?”

  “I really do Becky,” she started wailing again, “I love him so much.”

  I closed my eyes and exhaled, wondering why matters of the heart were so darned complicated. “Then don’t tell him. Just let him know how much you love him, and how much you appreciate him, and how much you want to marry him.” I contemplated telling her what Abby had told me about Seb having second thoughts, but the sound of Julia whimpering on the other end of the phone made me think better of it. “Juju, I think Sebastian really needs to hear your heart right now.”

  “I know. Thanks Becks.”

  “No worries,” I said, feeling completely and utterly drained. “Call me if you need me OK?”

  “Will do. Love you. Bye.”

  “Ditto. Bye.” I hung up, and flopped back amongst the cushions, barely able to do anything else. I felt my stomach growling, my head throbbing, every muscle from head to toe aching, and decided that this couch was where I would stay tonight. For once I would live recklessly and not wash my make-up off, and not do any facial exercise. I’d probably end up with a few spots over the next few days, but who cares! It’s not as if I have anyone to impress. Hmm. It’s not as if I have anyone full stop. Poor Juju, I thought. I really hope she works it out with Seb. She at least had a real shot at a ‘happy ever after’ with a truly honourable man. Thinking of ‘honourable men’, I wondered – out of sheer curiosity you understand – as to how Charles Coombs was doing. I still could hardly believe that Mrs Dobson was his mother! Geez. Thankfully I hadn’t divulged anything too personal to her. Well, except that I was not too long ago hopelessly caught up with the bloody Jerrers. And that I’d been basically waiting around for aeons for him to ask me to marry him, which any fool could see, was never going to happen! Oh gawd. Mrs Dobson must’ve thought I was pitiful. It’s perhaps just as well that I won’t be seeing, or talking to, Charles Coombs ever again. Just as well.

  That whole…situation…was wrong on so many different levels. Nothing good could ever have come out of it. I hugged my knees and chewed my lip, thinking of Charles and Isabella who were probably most likely passionately rekindling marital bliss! Huh! I honestly couldn’t say that they ‘deserved’ each other, but one thing was for damn sure is that I, Rebecca Hardy, was a whole lot better off without them entangling my life! I reached into my bucket bag and pulled out the BlackBerry. The one device which still connected me to either of them. I knew I should throw it out in the garbage. And I would. But I…just wanted to check my voicemail…one last time. I lazily tapped at the keys and held the phone to my ear, waiting for the inevitable ‘no message’ recording.

  “You have one new message,” the automated voice came back. “Press one to listen to your message, press two to…” My fingers stabbed repeatedly at the number one, and I squeezed my eyes shut when I heard his voice.

  “Rebecca it’s Charles. Look, sorry I haven’t been in touch but…these past few days have been…well, quite turbulent to say the least. Anyway look, I really need to see you. I need to…talk to you about something.” My heart knocked in my chest. Isabella must’ve told him what I’d been doing! But no…he didn’t sound at all alarmed…he sounded…almost hopeful. “…I’m in New York on business for the next few days, but I’ll be back on Thursday, and I’m really hoping we can get together that evening? Ahem… Well, if you’re busy, I’ll understand…maybe we could meet on Friday? Anyway, call me back when you can. Bye.” I held the wretched BlackBerry close against my chest and felt an unexpected impulse to start giggling. Suddenly feeling invigorated, I bounded off the sofa, into the bathroom and started washing the make-up off my face. Well, I didn’t want to be getting any spots now did I?!

  C hapter Seventeen

  “Oh my god! It’s all my fault! It’s karma! What am I going to do Becky?!” Julia looked as if she was about to burst into tears, which seeing as how I only had a thirty minute lunch break, and knowing just how long a Juju sob can go on (ages!), I really didn’t have the time for it. I knew I should never have agreed to meet up with Julia for crisis talks during a lunch break. Crisis talks with Juju were like the UN Summit. They could potentially go on for days! But she’d been calling my mobile all morning whilst I was in the treatment room, and when she left a message with Lauren saying she needed to talk to me urgently, and was sitting in Starbucks down the road, waiting for me to finish work, I couldn’t very well leave her sitting there all day
now could I? Well, actually, I could have. But that would’ve been mean.

  “Julia, calm down,” I said firmly, with hands gripping and steadying her shoulders, which had started to heave, an imminent sob alert. “Now, take a deep breath,” I said in my most soothing therapeutic sounding voice. Juju breathed in deeply. “And…breathe out.” She then exhaled, quite dramatically, sounding more like a horse neighing than the graceful silent sigh my clients usually delivered. A group of trendy moms sipping lattes, with toddlers strapped in designer buggies, seated nearby, suddenly lost interest in their own humdrum conversation, and shot a few amused ‘drama alert’ glances our way. Not good. This situation needed to be contained. “Good,” I soothed encouragingly. “Feel better?” Julia’s head started nodding. Quite fast. “OK…” I started cautiously, “Calm?”

  “Calm,” she murmured, giving a strained little smile.

  “So….do you want to tell me what’s going on?” desperately hoping that she’d say no! That she’d changed her mind. That it’ll keep. At least until after I’d finished work!

  “Sebastian’s cheating on me!” she wailed, all semblance of any calmness disappearing. The trendy moms nearby, started raising eyebrows and widening eyes.

  “What?!” I hissed as loudly as possible. “Juju, the last time we spoke, it was you who was cheating on Seb!” I threw out, with lowered voice and gritted teeth.

  “I know! I know! And I hate myself for it!” She snatched a napkin off the table and blew her nose. “I’ve been trying to reconnect with him, but he just won’t let me get close. He literally pushes me away! Seb has NEVER pushed me away! And he’s always meeting up with her! Coming home late at night, reeking of her perfume!”

  “Meeting up with who?!” feeling my eyebrows starting to furrow.

  “She’s always wanted him!” she ranted defiantly between sobs. “Always! And do you know what Becky? I honestly believe that HE has always wanted her too!”