Background: Angela is shocked when William, an old friend from her past, who she hoped never to see again, comes back into her life, after he applies for a role at her work and successfully secures the job. William’s sudden reappearance puts Angela on edge. She’s terrified he’s discovered her secret, which she needs to protect her family from. William’s convinced Angela knows what happened to his former girlfriend, Caz, who hasn't been seen for twenty years, and that something terrible happened to her. The only person, who can help Angela, is her once best friend, Michelle, but Angela hasn’t seen Michelle for more than a decade. Faced with the threat of William’s return, they know they’ll need to work together to save their future, even if this does mean reopening old wounds, and revisiting a past they'd rather keep buried.

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My cheeks are aching now. I try my best to loosen my jaw, but it does nothing to relieve the tension. I’m trying my best to remember what Olivia discussed with me, but my poor brain is struggling, today isn’t going well at all.

Olivia’s going on about some crime drama she’s been watching over the weekend as the lift whisks us back to reception. I nod and smile. Why can’t she just be quiet? I need to somehow calm the banging in my head.

 ‘Anyway, like the new shoes?’ Olivia asks. She glances down at them with a big, proud smile on her face.

She steps out of the lift first.

‘Oh yes, Louis Vuitton.’ I fake a smile, God my headache’s worsening. ‘Very nice.’

Of course I’d spotted them the moment I’d walked into her office. I’m actually surprised it’s taken her this long to mention anything. I pull my jacket tighter around me. At least, so far, she hasn’t commented on the stain on my shirt, I didn’t have a chance to nip to the bathroom and wash it off.

I’m hot as I sit down in the boardroom. I’ve not even got a piece of paper to fan myself. We don’t make notes in pads anymore, like we used to, it’s all done electronically. Olivia inputs everything into her phone; welcome to the future, Rebecca would say. Jesus, I’m beginning to break out in a sweat. I lift my arm up and rub my shoulder.

The door to the boardroom squeaks open and Kirsty steps through, carrying two mugs, which she places on the table. I chew the insides of my cheeks to stop myself from smiling as I fix my gaze on her, I’ll end up laughing if I do. She’s keeping her posture very straight; it looks like she’s even touched up her make up since I spoke to her earlier. She beams as she introduces William; he’s standing behind her, hands clasped behind his back, looking as though he’s about to be received by the King. Kirsty moves out of the way, and I meet William in the eye for the first time.

I can’t control my breath, no, please don’t let me have a panic attack.

My eyes move up to his hair, the first thing that drew my attention only half an hour ago. Cold shivers race up and down my body. He still has it styled the same way he did twenty years ago, gelled back, although now it’s slightly greying. The lemony scent of his cologne hits me. It’s the same cologne he used to always wear, I’d recognise it anywhere. It’s got to be; no I’m sure it is. Its smell always put me in mind of the six of us, spending long, sultry summer nights outside in our back garden, smoking cigarettes and perhaps the occasional joint. Repulsion crawls into my stomach, I want to be sick. It’s him. It’s really him. He’s found me.

I picture myself, the morning after I last saw him, my knees bent into the soft carpet of my bedroom; my friends, Lauren and Hayley, telling me we’ll sort something, that everything will be alright, when I knew it wouldn’t be. It was too late.

He steps further into the room, first making eye contact with Olivia, then with me. The corner of his mouth twitches, like it used to always do, when we . . . Oh God.

Olivia looks round at me, deep lines etched in her forehead, before she refocuses her attention back on William. Don’t you dare say anything, don’t be stupid.

‘Hi William, it’s great to meet you,’ Olivia says brightly, standing up from her seat to shake his hand.

I look into my lap resisting the urge to bite down hard on my lip.

‘Thanks, it’s great to be here,’ he says.

Olivia backs away from him and directs him to the chair opposite her. ‘Please, take a seat. Have you travelled far to get here?’ Olivia asks taking her seat. William does the same.

He’s taking a lot of time to get comfy in his seat, but I doubt Olivia’s noticed. He looks at me again, smiling. A white hot pain shoots behind my eyes.

‘Not too far, about fifteen minutes on the train,’ he says, crossing his legs. ‘I would’ve driven, but my car’s being serviced, bad timing, I know, but these things can’t always be helped.’

William smiles showing off a row of perfect white teeth. 

‘That’s great. Well, let’s get introductions out of the way and then we can begin. I’m Olivia, I’m the managing director, and this is Angela, our office manager, who you’ll be working closely with, if you join. It’ll be Angela you’ll need to report to.’

William fixes his gaze on me again, his blue eyes burrowing into mine. 

The muskiness of my sweat is making me fidget.

‘Angela, is everything alright?’

Shit. Olivia’s looking at me now, her face is scrunched up.   

‘I . . .’ I look up at William. His expression’s now neutral. If anything he might be showing a slight hint of concern. Behind the look in his eyes, I imagine he’s laughing at me. I do my best to smile. ‘Sorry . . .  I’m fine.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Yes, yes, it’s . . . it’s nice to meet you . . . William.’

Olivia’s still looking at me; please don’t ask me anymore questions, not now. At last, she turns away back towards William.

‘Good, then we can begin,’ Olivia says.

********************

Character List:

Angela Watkins - Protagonist 

Paul Watkins - Angela's husband

Rebecca Watkins - Angela's daughter 

Michelle Blake - Angela's former best friend 

Kirsty - Receptionist (Angela's friend) 

Olivia - Angela's boss

William Harris - Angela's former friend 

Caroline (Caz) - Angela's friend 

Hayley - Angela's former friend

Lauren - Angela's former friend