Alice put the phone down and looked at Lara.
“I take it she found out?”
Alice nodded her head “what am I going to do?”
“Your going to speak to Shane and explain”
Alice nodded her head “Yeah, I guess you are right” she started to dial
“Not by phone, face to face”
Alice’s eyes widened and she started to protest but one look from Lara and she was grabbing her keys and coat.

Shane’s house

Shay came out of his room, homework in hand “Shane I need some help with my science homework. I’m really stuck” he walked into the lounge and couldn’t see her so he turned around and walked into the kitchen where he found her sitting on the floor staring off into space “Shane?!” Shay shook her as she didn’t answer “Shane?”
“Huh?”
“Are you okay?”
Shane looked up at Shay and nodded her head, she couldn’t be negative with Shay. “Just got some bad news about a friend but I’m okay.”
Shane started to rise “What’s up?”
“I’m stuck on a science question and I have no idea whatsoever about it”
“Okay” shane laughed “Lets take a look”

Ten minutes later shay was happy as they had got the same answer.
“You go finish your work, I just need to go talk to Bette, will you be okay here by yourself?”
“Yeah, you’re only next door”
Shane ruffled his hair then left through the back door.

Shane walked through the gate and knocked on the patio door which was open, startling Bette who was deep in conversation with someone on the phone.
“Shit, you made me jump Shane” she exclaimed as she put her hand on her heart.
“Sorry. Are you busy I’ll come back?”
Bette waved her hand and spoke back into the phone “Yeah Al she is here, see you in a bit”
Shane sat down on a kitchen stool, “So was that Alice?”
“yeah she is on her way over”
“I thought she had work to do?”
“Yeah, so what brings you over?” Bette asked already knowing the answer as she had spoken to Alice on the phone about it.
Shane sighed and looked down trying to blink the tears away, but being unsuccessful. Bette seeing this reached forward and grabbed her hand gently, not used to seeing her cry.
“Carmen’s seeing someone”
Bette nodded her head “How’d you find out?”
“I rang her up” She looked up at Bette as she began her explanation “some lady answered. I thought I had the wrong number so I redialed and the same woman answered. I over heard them talking. Oh man what am I going to do?”
“Shane.”
“No I love her, I love her so much. But she is moving on. Where does that leave me?”
“Shane, you need to move on now. I know its going to be hard. But maybe it’s time to let that piece of your heart go. Meet new people.”
“I can’t let go Bette. I’ve loved no one like I love her. I love all you guys but not in the same way. I need her”
Bette pulled her into a hug. “I know you do sweetie. But I think its best if you move on, remember the good times you had but go out there and meet someone new”
Shane broke down in her arms. Crying uncontrollably.

“Is she okay?” Alice whispered as she entered the house and saw Shane in Bette’s arms.
Bette shook her head.
“Shane sweetie. Alice is here. I think I’ll go check on the lil man next door. Alice will keep you company”. Bette guided Shane to the sofa then left.

Alice stood by the front door shifting from one foot to the next. She didn’t know what to say. Shane was lent forward, elbows on her knees. “Al?”
Alice moved towards Shane “did you know” She stopped moving.
Shane looked up “Did you know?” Alice remind silent, that was Shane needed to know she had. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Alice sat down next to her and went to reach for her hand, but for the second time in as many days Shane moved away.
“It wasn’t my place to tell you.”
“You’re my best friend Al”
“I know Shane, believe me I know. But it wasn’t up to me.”
“Al”
“She asked me to tell you. But I couldn’t, you were moving on, starting to look brightly at things again. I couldn’t tell you and let you start from square one. Plus she should have told you”
Shane sighed and wiped her eyes. “Yeah she should. I’m sorry Alice”
“Hey its okay. And I’m sorry too.”

Shane laughed and pulled Alice into her arms “We make a right pair don’t we!”
“Ooooo gross your wiping your snot all over me”
Shane pulled back “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure”
“What’s her name?”
“Her name is Amanda”
Shane nodded and lent into Alice. Thanking god that she had such a great friend.

.