The Way We Were by Marcia Willett Read Free Book Online Page A

doesn't set the same store that most of us do by possessions. And she doesn't get upset if other people have other views about life that are different from her own. She believes in live and let live.’ He'd laughed suddenly. ‘That's why her name suits her so well.’
    Val hadn't responded to his joke; she'd been silent, thinking it over. She'd suddenly realized that Liv's rejections of her, Val's, values irritated her. Chris was right: Liv didn't crave a house of her own or a new car or the latest fashions. She seemed to be too busy simply enjoying life.
    â€˜I don't know why you split up if you think she's so wonderful,’ she'd said sulkily.
    â€˜Oh, give it a rest,’ he'd replied wearily.
    Now, raising a hand in response to Liv's wave, Val wondered what it was about her that she liked so much. However much Liv irritated her, Val still continued to need her friendship. To be fair, it was only in the last few weeks – since she'd been so stressed out – that this irritation with Liv had arisen. To begin with, making plans for Penharrow, moving down to Cornwall, had all been fun and Liv had been such a strength: she still was, of course. Perhaps she, Val, should be anxious that Chris might feel attracted to Liv again but she never seriously considered it: ten years was a long time and Liv and Chris never behaved other than as good friends. It was only occasionally that she felt a tiny dart of jealousy Like now, for instance, when she felt exhausted and weepy and irrational – but she mustered a smile as Liv advanced towards her, though reproving words were forming in her mind.
    â€˜Aren't they pretty?’ Liv proffered the flowers before Val could speak. ‘Camellias from Aunt Em's garden.’
    Even as she nodded, acknowledging the prettiness of the spray, Val fell a spasm of irritation at Liv's affected pronunciation of their name.
    â€˜I thought they were called ca meel lias,’ she said.
    â€˜Not if you'd known Uncle Archie,’ chuckled Liv. ‘Aunt Em sent them with her love and said, “Come to tea sometime when you're not too busy’”
    She whirled away, leaving Val holding the flowers and wondering if she should say that she didn't have the time to go off for lea just because she fell like it; but Liv had already gone into the shop and wouldn't have heard her.
    Having seen the exchange, Chris tensed slightly as Liv came in. He wondered if Val had been tactless – or even just plain rude. Liv gave no sign of any altercation; she smiled at Debbie and raised her eyebrows at Chris.
    â€˜Learning to cook?’ she asked. ‘Aunt Em loved the cakes, Debs. She says she'll be over to see you soon.’
    Debbie looked pleased. ‘I like your Aunt Em,’ she said. ‘We sold one of her paintings this morning. Did Val tell you? Gary's ill and Myra's had to go and fetch him from school. Chris is helping out.’
    â€˜Shit!’ said Liv. ‘Poor Myra. Never mind. I'll carry on here, Chris, if you want to get on.’
    â€˜I'm rather enjoying it,’ said Chris. He was relaxed again: relieved that Val hadn't challenged Liv and made oddly happy by her presence, which both comforted and energized him. He realized with a shock that he wouldn't want to be tackling this project without her; that she was necessary to him. ‘I like meeting the punters,’ he said. ‘But I ought to be in the office, I suppose. End-of-month accounts and the VAT return.’ He made a face. ‘It's more fun in here.’
    â€˜Tough,’ said Liv firmly. ‘You know that Marx thing? To each according to his need. From each according to his ability. You do the accounts because of your ability and Debs and I eat cake and chat because of our needs.’
    â€˜What about my needs?’ he demanded indignantly.
    Debbie laughed. ‘He's already had some cake,’ she told Liv. ‘And as for chat,’ she rolled her eyes