Thicker Than Soup by Kathryn Joyce Read Free Book Online Page A

reconciliation.
    Facing them immediately as they entered the restaurant was the painting John had commissioned. She liked the colours well enough but preferred almost any of the other pictures that now created a gallery of the walls. These, and the candlelit glasses and cutlery and flowers arranged by his mother were, thought Sally, what brought the room alive.
    â€œIt’s wonderful, John!”
    Misinterpreting her meaning, John pulled a chair toward his painting. “Yeah.” Climbing up, he draped a muslin cloth from the frame, replaced the chair in its perfectly aligned position and headed for the kitchen. But not before she’d seen apprehension behind the shine of his eyes and she knew that withholding her news had been the right thing to do.
    Leaving him to his kitchen she went to the bar, flicked the switch on the new hi-fi system and found Billy Bang’s
Sweet Space;
lazy Jazz was perfect. Leaning against the bar she let the music wash over her until, hearing the door open, she turned with a warm smile.
    Diane spoke first. “Sally.”
    â€œDiane.” She turned the music down. “It’s been a while.”
    â€œHasn’t it.”
    Separated by more than the room Sally longed for the old friendship. “I, er, you…”
    â€œOh God. This is so stupid!” It was Diane who came forward. “I’ve missed you Sally, and life’s too short for this rubbish.”
    â€œOh Diane! It is!” The women hugged and laughed. “I’ve missed you. And wonderful things are happening – you’ve started a business too?”
    â€œYes! And Black and Emery are paying more than they used to too!”
    â€œHa! I told them they would. Serves them right.”
    Diane spluttered something about absurd insanity and held her friend at arm’s length. “You look amazing. You should wear red more often, that dress is gorgeous.” Grinning, she pushed forward her chest, “And it fits you perfectly….”
    Sally saw John approaching, carrying champagne. “A drink! There’re things to celebrate.”
    His arm slid round her waist. “Hey, you two! It’s been too long!” He winked at Diane. “If that dress is a bit on the tight side, it’s my fault; too much of a good thing!”
    â€œNo!” Diane clapped her hands. “We’re celebrating more than one new beginning! Wonderful! Congratulations. I thought you looked well Sally; you must be one of those lucky women that pregnancy …..” Sally’s and then John’s expressions cut her words. “Oh no! I’m sorry. I think I’ve just put both my big feet in it.”
    Sally recovered first and asking Diane to start filling champagne glasses she pulled John into the small dining room. Her legs trembled. “John, I….”
    â€œSally?” His words were low and precise. “Tell me it isn’t true.”
    But her face told the truth and she saw disbelief become anger then rage, rising and filling him so that she stepped back against the wall, fearful of something she’d never seen in him before.
    â€œNo!” The single word, mouthed rather than spoken, hung before her as he turned, moved, almost ran.
    Pain jolted as the door rammed her shoulder and she slumped, her legs folding, so that she crouched against the wall, trembling.
    Moments later Diane was there. “Sal?” she whispered. “Are you ok? Can I do anything?” She, too, crouched. “He didn’t know, did he? I’m sorry. I thought you didn’t want children but you looked so happy when you said you had things to celebrate and when John said you’d put on weight and it was his fault I thought… I’m so sorry.”
    Her shoulder burned and she cupped it gently. “I didn’t think he’d noticed my…” Holding out a hand she smiled weakly. “Help me up? It’s not your fault, Diane. I was saying