‘And that was that. I realised then that the only person I could ever rely on was myself. And so I did. I got myself a job and I worked my way up. But I never made friends. I couldn’t trust anyone to stick around and I’ve been lonely all my life. I admit I took my unhappiness out on the staff I was supposed to be managing because I was jealous. Not very attractive I know, but I can’t help the way I am. And you. I was more jealous of you than anyone else. With your fancy friends and your connections. I couldn’t figure out why you’d want a job as a trainee manager at the Rosemont when you had all those endless opportunities. And then you tried to befriend me and that made me even angrier. I didn’t want your pity and I’d never trust someone like you. I went out of my way to make your life miserable.’ She paused. ‘So there you have it. I’m not a nice person and I deserve everything that’s happened to me.’
‘No, you don’t,’ Emma said quietly. Heather looked up. ‘Yes, you’ve done some nasty things. In fact, I used to dread coming in to work, not knowing what was in store for me each day. But atthe back of my mind I always knew there must be a reason for it. And now I know.’
‘Good for you. You’ve salved your conscience, so you can go now.’
‘And what about you?’
‘What about me?’
‘Are you going to sit here wallowing in self-pity or are you going to clean yourself up, get out there, get yourself a job, and make something of your life? Maybe even find yourself some friends.’
Heather laughed. ‘Who would want to be friends with me?’
‘Me for a start,’ Emma said. ‘Now, get yourself in the shower, wash your hair and put on some fresh clothes while I start cleaning up this place. It stinks.’
Heather stared at her open-mouthed for a moment, then turned on her heel and walked into her bedroom.
Smiling, Emma went into the kitchen. But her smile quickly slipped as she took in the devastation. It was far worse than the living room. She found some bin bags tucked away in a drawer and started by tipping all the rubbish into them.
Three big bags were stacked by the back door by the time Heather emerged from the shower. Her hair was wet and she was wearing clean clothes and smelling much fresher.
‘Better?’ Emma asked.
‘Much,’ Heather replied. ‘Why are you doing this?’
‘Because everyone needs some help from time to time. And I’m not doing it out of pity before you say anything. I’m doing it because I think that you deserve a second chance. You’ve had it tough.’
Heather shook her head in disbelief. ‘I don’t get why you want to help me.’
‘Well, I do,’ Emma said. ‘But don’t think I’m doing all this clearing up on my own.’ She threw a clean tea towel at Heather. ‘You’re on drying-up duty.’
Together they cleared up the flat and an hour later it was looking — and smelling — much better.
‘Thanks for this, Emma,’ Heather said when they decided to call it a day. ‘I got myself into a rut and I didn’t know how to get out of it.’
‘I’m glad I came. You’ve helped me too, you know. I was carrying around so much guilt about the way you left, but now I understand what was going on.’
‘That I was being a complete bitch.’
Emma smiled. ‘You were, but at least I know why. Now, I don’t know about you but I need a cup of tea.’
‘You’ll be lucky,’ Heather replied. ‘There’s no milk or much of anything to be honest.’
‘Then we’ll go to the shops?’ Emma asked.
‘Let’s go to the pub first. There’s one down the road that isn’t too bad and does okay food. I’ll get you a meal and a drink, and then I’ll get some stuff to tide me over until I do a proper shop tomorrow.’
‘Okay, then,’ Emma said. She felt pleased that Heather seemed keen to get out of her rut. ‘But you don’t have to pay for me.’
‘Yes, I do. If only to thank you for everything you’ve done for me today.’
* * *
Emma sat back, full after eating an enormous plate of pie and chips, and drinking two glasses of wine from the bottle she and Heather were sharing.
She smiled. ‘You know, you’re surprisingly good company when you make the effort.’
‘You aren’t so bad yourself,’ Heather replied. ‘Maybe I should have taken you up on your invitation before.’
