She was in a meeting with a client. One who was getting married. This was business. No matter how pretty her eyes.

“It works perfectly. I look forward to seeing you happily married in the very near future.”

Chapter 6

Delta greeted Abby with a sad smile and a limp hug. She was normally a bear hug kinda woman, but her break-up had hit her hard. Only last month, Delta had been hinting she and Nora might move in together. But then, Nora had changed her plans abruptly. Abby was sad for Delta, but not that upset the relationship had collapsed. Nora had been an unbearable know-it-all who’d struck Abby as cold on their few encounters. Whereas Delta was larger than life and wore her heart on her sleeve. Abby had told her many times to take better care of her heart. Also, to raise her taste in women, because Delta’s choices were usually atrocious.

Abby took Delta’s hand as they walked along London’s main shopping road. Oxford Street’s usual bustle rippled past her ears. Black cabs and red buses slid by, and delivery riders wove in and out of the traffic with some skill. Up above, May was still pretending to be April, white clouds covering the pale-blue sky and blocking the sunshine. Abby hoped the weather bucked up for her June wedding. That sentiment went for her best friend, too.

She steered Delta into John Lewis, one of London’s most famous department stores. As usual, their senses were assaulted as they strolled into the beauty department, all glaring lights and floral scents. Abby took a breath as they strolled past the make-up counters, the impossibly shiny sales assistants on high alert. The smell of make-up always felt like home to Abby. She used to be fascinated watching her mum put it on as a child.

They got on the escalator, their destination the second-floor swimwear department. Delta had agreed to help Abby choose a bikini for her honeymoon, as long as Abby agreed to drink alcohol with her afterwards. The rooftop bar was their final destination.

Abby brushed her friend’s arm. “How are you?”

“How am I?” Delta clutched the side of the escalator. “Heartbroken. Miserable. Sober, which is a surprise.”

“I don’t think your work would take kindly to you coming in drunk.”

“I know, it’s so unfair.”

They got off the escalator and walked to the next before resuming their conversation.

“Have you heard from her?”

“Nora?” Delta swept her brown hair behind her left ear.

“No, Santa Claus. Of course, Nora.”

Delta shook her head as they reached their chosen floor. “I haven’t. But then, I didn’t expect to. She made it pretty clear when she left this wasn’t a decision she was going to reverse. ‘You and I have run our course’, I believe were her exact words.”

Abby winced. “Ouch. She’s read too many self-help books, clearly.”