“I heard what he said, and I have no idea why he said it—perhaps he was trying to transfer blame, I don’t know—but you weren’t the reason he had an affair, and you weren’t the reason he left me. He’s an adult, and the responsibility for both those actions belong with him. But ignoring me—” Milly almost choked on the emotion wedged in her throat, emotion that she didn’t want to be feeling “—that was your fault. Your choice. You were my best and dearest friend, and you weren’t there for me when I needed you. And I get that you felt awkward and guilty and embarrassed, but I was desperate! I opened myself up to you, and still you didn’t respond. I emailed you when I was hyperventilating at three in the morning, terrified and alone, and you didn’t respond to that either. I had never needed you more, and you weren’t there for me.”

Nicole stared at her, her breathing shallow. “Milly—”

“All our lives our friendship has been the one unshakable, dependable thing. And it’s not as if it’s something you think about every day or anything, but it was always there, and that was the luxury of it. Our friendship was a lifeboat in rough seas, a warm blanket in cold weather. Knowing you would always be there for me made me feel secure and safe, and I think it was the same for you. And when I realized that you weren’t there for me—” she swallowed “—you knew everything about me, so you must have known how ghosting would hurt me, and yet you still did it. And losing you was as bad as losing Richard.” Milly saw the devastation on Nicole’s face and felt herself start to unravel. She needed to end the conversation. She needed space to process what had happened. There was no point in going round and round with both of them too upset to resolve anything. “I have to—I can’t do this. I can’t stay here.”

“What do you mean?” There was a note of panic in Nicole’s voice. “You’re leaving? Where are you going?”

Good question. And there was only one answer. One place. The place she always went when she was hurt or upset.

Family.

“I’m taking Zoe, and we’re going to stay with my mother tonight.”

“No!” Nicole shot out a hand and then withdrew it as quickly. “You shouldn’t have to leave your own house. If you want to be on your own, then I should be the one to go.”

“Go where?” Milly grabbed her bag and her jacket. She might be wounded, but she was still practical. “We both know you can’t leave this place.” Even now, after such a betrayal, she couldn’t put her friend in a position that would expose her.

Nicole looked anguished. “But—”