Abby barely recognised the house as she walked in. It was immaculately clean and smelled gorgeous; she always kept a tidy house, but this was quite simply beyond tidy. As the girls hurried her into the lounge, the sight of freesias on almost every surface overcame her. Their scent filled the air.
“Simon, they’re beautiful!” she exclaimed, taking it all in and trying not to think how much they must have cost. The room was a rainbow of bright colours and beauty. She had never seen so many freesias in one place before. On the walls hung more Welcome home banners made by the girls and a poster adorned with Bramble’s paw prints.
“That was my idea Mummy!” Jessica announced proudly.
“Hmm, and it seemed a good idea right up until he spotted a cat and jumped up at the window.” Simon laughed, grimacing – cats were about the only thing Bramble deemed worthy of a burst of energy, especially the sight of one sitting smugly on his garden wall. Abby’s mind scrambled, it was all so unexpected. Simon had always been dismissive of going anywhere near the children’s art cupboard. And now he had let them loose with it and even attempted something as bizarre as paw printing with the dog, something even Abby would have found a step too far.
“Sit down, there’s more Mummy,” Jessica said excitedly.
“Aun—” Grace attempted to speak, but Jessica quickly put her hand over her mouth to prevent her spoiling the surprise.
“Oh Grace, why don’t you come and sit with me, ready for my surprise?”
As Abby pulled her close Grace poked her tongue out at Jessica.
“Look who’s here,” Simon announced, pointing at the lounge door.
Abby looked over, taking a moment to register the sight of her friend. “Rachel!” she eventually exclaimed, leaping to her feet and hugging her tightly while Jessica and Grace danced around them.
Holding on to Rachel a little more tightly than she meant to, Abby realised how very much she had missed her friend. Tears welled in her eyes and she couldn’t help but let out a sob of happiness as she took in the sight of Rachel actually there in her living room. “I didn’t know you were coming. It’s been so long. Too long!” Abby beamed. “How have you been? What have you been up to?”
Rachel laughed. “It’s so good to see you. Sorry it’s been a while but I’m here now.” She gave Abby a reassuring squeeze as she spoke.
Simon looked at them both. His two best friends in the world together again, chatting away like old times, and knew he would be briefly redundant as they caught up. He took Abby’s bag and decided to make himself useful – it was a new concept to him to apply himself domestically but he was actually enjoying it. He had even learnt to use the washing machine, and if he was honest these odd jobs around the house occupied his mind and allowed him to imagine them all being together again.
Tipping out Abby’s washing he stared dumbfounded as her panda print pyjamas fell onto the top of the pile. Bradley’s words stung him as the meaning of what he had said hit home.
Abby walked into the room, needing a glass of water after all the excitement, took in the scene and saw the hurt on Simon’s face. He was of course jumping to the wrong conclusions again but at that point she didn’t care and she really didn’t want to upset him. Instead she walked over to him. “We all patrolled the corridors and went to children when we were needed, even if that was in our pyjamas!” It wasn’t quite the truth but it easily explained Brad’s knowledge of her sleepwear.
As Simon remained still she put her arm around his back and turned him towards her. Without speaking his body responded to hers and they embraced in a long hug. Abby pushed any thoughts from her mind other than how happy she was in that moment: she was back home, Rachel was there and her husband was in her arms. It felt so good to be holding him close, feeling his familiarity, the way they fitted in each other’s arms. The scent of his aftershave, the one she had bought him, lingered on his smooth, warm skin. Knowing it was momentary, that her mind wouldn’t allow her to enjoy it for long, she just wanted to soak it all up. “Thank you. I couldn’t have hoped for a nicer welcome home!” she whispered sincerely.
“Bloody hell! It’s good to see some things never change!” Rachel blurted from the doorway as Abby and Simon reluctantly broke from their embrace.
Putting on a smile, Abby couldn’t help but consider how very much things had changed, and regretted that she hadn’t been honest with Rachel before now.
Once the girls were in bed and Simon, aware that it was inappropriate for him to stay now Abby was back, had excused himself with a false errand to Kerry’s, Abby decided it was time to tell Rachel the truth. She poured herself a large glass of martini and opened Rachel’s wine. It was a warm evening. With the windows open the scent of the freesias drifted round the room. They chatted. Abby, aware that Rachel still didn’t know what had happened, only half-listened as Rachel told her about her latest trip to the States and how being PA to Rebecca Giles and travelling from place to place for weeks on end was not nearly as glamorous as it sounded. She had heard it all before. Abby knew that as much as Rachel might say she wished they could swap lives she would soon tire of staying in one place; living a life of domesticity would never be her forte. With the night drawing in Abby decided she needed to just get on with it and say what she wanted to say.
“Rachel, Si and I…”
Rachel looked at Abby, a knowing sorrow etched in her expression.
“We, well he…” Abby continued. She told her everything about what had happened and how she found out.
Rachel listened to her intently. Abby was grateful that she never once attempted to question her or stand up for Simon. In that moment she was being Abby’s friend, and she didn’t need her to play counsellor or devil’s advocate; simply listening was enough. As Abby spoke she was aware how guilty Rachel looked. Sorrow pulled at her expression more than she had anticipated and she realised Rachel must have been feeling awful for not being there for her throughout this difficult time. But that didn’t matter, she was there now.