Chapter 6 #3
Ellie looked down at her bowl, realising she had been staring at the photographs far longer than she’d intended. “This is perfect, thank you.” She met Alba’s eyes and smiled. “You’re a great cook, by the way.”
“Before Audrey, I was pretty much always on my own. No long-term relationship or anything. And after, well, back to being single again.” Alba shrugged, though the movement held a quiet resilience rather than bitterness.
“I guess I’ve always known how to fend for myself, and cooking is something I’ve always enjoyed.
I get that from my mum.” Her gaze drifted to a framed photograph hanging on the wall nearby.
“She used to tell me that a good knowledge of cooking was the first skill we should always have under our belt.”
Ellie followed her line of sight, taking in the photograph. “Your mum was not wrong.”
“She used to say that if someone could put their heart and soul into food and offer it to you, they cared a great deal about you. It’s something that’s always stuck with me, and since I rarely eat dinner with anyone else, I guess I just tried to show myself that love and care.
” Her gaze lowered to the empty bowl resting in her lap.
“Audrey rarely appreciated anything I put in front of her, but I’m beginning to realise that it wasn’t a reflection on me. ”
“I’m not sure Audrey has ever known what manners are.” Ellie dragged her last piece of bread around the bottom of her bowl to gather the remaining soup. “I bought her a drink once after a conference we’d both been at. She didn’t even thank me for it. She just took it and walked away.”
“Sounds exactly like my ex-wife.” Alba scoffed and shook her head. “And I’d like to apologise on her behalf for being so fucking rude.”
“That’s not necessary. Audrey is the only one responsible for her behaviour.
” Ellie set her empty bowl down on the coffee table.
“But doesn’t it just show you that who she is…
wasn’t because of you. I don’t think she knows how to appreciate anything anyone offers her.
Whether that’s something as simple as a drink from me or being married to a wonderful woman like you… I think Audrey will always be Audrey.”
Alba looked up and met Ellie’s gaze with a soft smile. “Thank you. That’s a lovely thing to say.”
“I say things based on what I see.” Ellie held her gaze, enamoured by the woman she seemed to be spending so much time with.
“And I cannot fathom why she hurt you the way she did.” It wasn’t something she could understand, not after the short time she had spent getting to know Alba.
If there was one thing Ellie had already learned about her, it was that Alba cared deeply.
She listened, she showed up, and she offered warmth and patience in ways that felt increasingly rare.
If Audrey had failed to recognise that, then the fault lay entirely with her.
“But look, you’re better off without her. I’m sure of it.”
“Oh, I’m not questioning if I miss her.” Alba laughed. “I don’t and I never will. I just hate that I spent so many years of my life trying to be happy with her, trying to…love her, only for her to drag my name through the mud because she didn’t get things her way.”
Ellie reached out and rested her hand gently on Alba’s knee. “Again, she will always be that woman.” Ellie dipped her head slightly. “Whether that’s with you or whoever she’s dating now, she’ll never change.”
“Can I offer you a word of advice?” Alba leaned forward and lifted a brow. “Never sleep with a co-worker. This is the result of it.”
Ellie laughed. “While I understand the way you feel, I think it’s important to remember that throughout all of this, you’re still a really great person.
” She squeezed Alba’s knee gently before withdrawing her hand.
“She may have done what she did, but you have a heart of gold, and I know that I’m grateful to have met you. ”
“I could have been bitter about it all, but I just don’t have that in me.
” Alba’s voice carried a quiet certainty as she said that.
“I’ve always loved life and my friends. She’s not taking that away from me.
She can try to take everything else—the day will come when you distance yourself, and I know that—but she’s not taking my spirit or my laughter.
Hell will freeze over before I give her the satisfaction. ”
Ellie studied her for a moment. The strength in Alba’s words wasn’t performative.
It was real and hard-earned. It came from surviving something that could have easily broken a person entirely.
“Unfortunately, I have a feeling you’re stuck with me now.
” Ellie squeezed Alba’s hand before pushing herself to her feet.
“I’m going to clear this away while you and Colin relax but remind me next time to bring dessert with me. ”
She gathered the bowls from the table, glancing briefly at Alba again before heading for the kitchen, and as she walked away, she realised something that surprised her.
For the first time in a very long while, she wasn’t dreading the quiet that followed dinner.
Because tonight, she had Alba next to her.