‘You’re just not a psycho, back stabbing, junkie, whore.’ she growled out. Oh. What could I say to that.

I sighed and looked up at my angry friend. Her brow was furrowed and pretty face screwed up into a scowl. Even so she looked cute!

‘Sorry I asked!’ I tried to lighten the mood with a wry comment. I don’t think it worked. I couldn’t distract her that easily.

‘Sorry…….’ she relaxed her scowl Our eyes met and and she sighed.

‘Tell me about her?’ If I knew the whole story maybe I could move on. Get over my disappointment. I received a warm smile from my friend.

‘Sure Spence, you OK though?’ I nodded.

‘Um, yeah. I’ll be fine. I just….There was a connection.’ I explained. She nodded, her red hair moving .

‘I know. I’ve felt it too.’ Oh, that didn’t make me feel special! I could only gesture for her to continue.

‘OK, well that was Ashley Davies. I’ll tell you the whole story so you know why she’s such bad news.’ I nodded my encouragement.

I wriggled about on the bed and we both got comfy lying on our backs with a pillow under our heads.

‘So, let’s get this over with so I can justify my depression.’ I joked, nudging my friend in the ribs.

‘Ugh, Ok but it’s not pretty. Alright?’

‘S’OK, I can take it. I’m a big girrrl now baby.’ Shit. I really hoped I could.

‘OK, I’ve known Ash since we were kids.’ I noted the nickname she used. ‘Our parents were friends and we kinda grew up together.’ I nodded, OK that explained the sense of betrayal Austin had given me. I wondered what had gone wrong.

”We used to all hang out together, me, Maggie and Ash. They used to live down the street from us and my dad did a lot of work for the Davies’.’ she paused for a minute as though organising the sequence of events she was about to explain.

‘Ash was really sweet as a kid. Always looking out for me when Maggie used to push me around. She’s the same age as Maggie.’ she clarified before continuing her story. I nodded.

‘So what happened, she sounds nice the way you describe her.’ Austin sighed.