Chapter 31 NANCY #2
“Yeah, I think she’s watching TikTok or something that sounds annoying. You wanna drink?”
“Something caffeinated would be great.”
Dave opened the fridge. “Pepsi?”
“Yeah, thanks.”
“Is that you, stranger?”
I turned to see Kim’s head poking out of her bedroom, and I smiled apologetically. “Sorry, babe! I know I’ve been crap.”
“We have a lot to catch up on. Get in here!” she grinned.
The room was so Kim that it always made me laugh.
Shelving hugged the walls, housing colourful organisers for her many cosmetics, shoes, and clothes, each marked with an embossed label.
In between, she displayed her growing collection of colourful skull figurines she’d become obsessed with a few years back.
Together, it straddled a fine line between girly and edgy, just like its occupant.
I took my usual spot at the end of the double bed, leaning against the wall. Kim sat beside me. “So, you’ve had a week.”
“You’re telling me. It’s been awful,” I said wearily.
“Why haven’t you come back? Are you and Alex living together now or something?”
“He’s stayed over all week, but that’s ’cause everything’s been so mental with the press.
” I cracked the can and took a refreshing sip.
“I don’t mind. I feel settled around him, and he’s always thoughtful, but, honestly, I get a weird vibe at number eight.
It feels like a fancy Airbnb, not a home, and we can’t even go out in the local area without being hounded. ”
“I’m so sorry, babe. The stuff they’ve been saying is well off. Who the hell is this Mimi, anyway?”
“His ex. They broke up over a month ago, but the press is still reporting like they’re together.”
“Hopefully, they’ll work it out and leave you both alone soon,” Kim consoled.
“I hope so.”
“So, where’s Alex tonight?”
“Meeting a friend for dinner. I’ll head back in a bit.” I shifted to face her. “Anyway, enough about me. You haven’t said how things went with William after Ride last Friday. You were both very cosy all night.”
“It’s amazing. He hung out with me all night.
We talked for hours. He must have taken like a hundred selfies of us.
” Kim blushed, clearly head over heels. “Then he offered to walk me back here from the limo. It was the most gentlemanly thing. We were arm-in-arm strolling through World’s End. And then, we kissed on the doorstep.”
I cooed. “And have you seen him since?”
“He asked for my number, then he messaged the next day, and we had a drink after work on Wednesday. It’s so strange. We can just chat. He doesn’t have a load of swagger like the other guys I’ve dated, even though he’s much hotter. He’s attentive, you know?”
“That sounds like Alex.”
“Yeah, I saw that in the club. Damn, Nancy, he’s so into you. He couldn’t take his eyes or hands off you the whole night.”
“It was scorching.”
Kim leaned forward. “So…have you two?”
My cheeks flamed. While this chat had gone the other way many times through the ream of Kim’s previous boyfriends (or the ‘cheating alphahole collective’ as we called them), I’d never been on the receiving end of that question. “We’ve done everything but. I need to take it slowly.”
“Of course. To be honest, I didn’t think you’d ever go with another guy.”
I fiddled with the ring pull. “We weren’t together.”
Kim squeezed my hand, and I met her gaze. “I know. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just glad you’re moving on, and this stuff with the press will blow over.”
“Yeah, we’ve just gotta be patient.” I let out a resigned sigh. “So, are you and William seeing each other soon?”
“He’s cooking us a Sunday roast this weekend.”
“What?” I laughed in outrage. “You got the brother that can cook!”
“Haha! I am a lucky lady. Oh, and check this out.” Kim straightened and gestured a confident set of signs.
“You’ve been learning sign language? What did you say?”
“Hi, my name is Kim. How are you? I’ve been following a few BSL DeafTokers and practising during my breaks.” She got out her phone and loaded TikTok. “You have to see this one guy. He’s so blunt, it’s hilarious.”
“That’s so sweet you’re learning to sign for William.”
“I want to surprise him with it on Sunday.” Kim scrolled for a few seconds, then her face drew into a frown.
“Y’alright?”
“Where did you say Alex was this evening?”
“Seeing a friend.” My skin prickled. “How come?”
“There’s a video that’s been reposted a load of times. Here.” Kim handed me the phone.
The shot was of a patio area, enclosed by a pergola draped in trailing grapevines.
A bottle of white cooled in a bucket on the intimate-looking two-seater table, lit with a votive candle.
On one side sat Alex, and on the other Mimi, who was wearing a revealing halter dress, cut so slim she was showing more than a little side boob.
They each held a glass, smiling at each other.
Then, Alex took her hand and brought her knuckles to his lips.
Something glinted in the candlelight, then the video replayed.
“What the fuck is this?”
“Maybe it’s from a while back.”
“No, that’s the suit he was wearing today.” My heart splintered. “He’s not out with a friend. He’s out with his ex at some romantic restaurant, looking all cosy and drinking.”
“There must be an explanation. Has he called you? Maybe he bumped into her while he was out?”
I checked my phone. “No, there’s nothing.”
“Maybe call him.”
I rubbed the building tension in my neck. “I can’t hear him with her. I’m gonna go back to Mum’s. I need to tell her about this before she sees it online.”
Kim followed me to the door, looking concerned. “Don’t panic, okay. It’s a twenty-second clip. There must be more to it.”
“He lied to my face about where he was going, and he’s still… romantic with her.” I shook my head, trying to cast off the image as nerves and anger rumbled through me. “Damn it! I don’t know what to think. I gotta go, babe.” I drew Kim in for a hug.
“Call me over the weekend, yeah?”
“Will do. Thanks, Kim.”
I pulled up the hood of Alex’s sweater, hoping no one would spot me, and left to the hum of life emanating from the surrounding homes. A cacophony of music mixed through open windows, complementing a cornucopia of cooking smells, but I couldn’t take it in. My mind was full of questions.
Why did Alex lie to me? Why were they so cosy together?... And why was Mimi so happy?
I’d only been away from the estate for a week, but everything felt different.
Kim and Mum were dating lovely guys, and I thought I was too, but had I misread it all?
I thought I’d get better at reading men the older I got, but maybe my radar was permanently broken, or had never been there to begin with.
On autopilot, I hit the button for fourteen.
When I exited the car, I heard a commotion outside the flat.
Mum was crying on Winston’s shoulder, who was cursing in rage as Princess barked protectively at their side.
It was the angriest I’d ever seen him. When I looked around, I saw what had caused it.
Time stopped.
Sprayed in dripping black paint across the front door were the words ‘dirty slut’ in block capitals. I stood motionless, unable to comprehend it.
It’s what he called me.
My pulse thumped, and my hands became clammy. “Mum?”
She swung around. “Nancy! Winston was leaving when we saw it. They must’ve just done it. The paint’s still wet! Why would someone do this?” She sobbed, but I was backing away. “Where are you going? Nancy! Come back!” Mum shouted in vain, but I’d already turned, running into the approaching night.