Tripping on Love by Carrie Stone Read Free Book Online

to choose the spicy chicken chow mien or the lamb madras with free bhaji accompaniment, when a hand firmly clasped my shoulder. Jumping in fright, I immediately span around and came face to face with bright blue eyes.
    ‘Will! Whatever are you playing at, making me jump like that?’  Annoyance coursed through me, partly for being caught unexpectedly off guard and partly because Will was standing grinning at me, as natural as daylight.
    He laughed softly, eyes creasing at their corners.
    ‘Sorry Miffy, I was just on my way to get in some beers as I’ve got the lads coming over tonight. The football’s on.’
    My heart skipped a beat and a lump rose into my throat threatening to choke me. He’d called me Miffy; his pet name for me ever since we’d first met and I’d reminded him of his favourite childhood rabbit.
    I had found it funny and endearing during our relationship but as I stared into his familiar handsome face, I suddenly wondered if it had any connotation towards my rather large front teeth. Coincidentally now a brilliant white thanks to the amazing Dr Sheeta of the whitening clinic.
    I stiffened, the anger and annoyance returning. ‘Amanda won’t be pleased when she catches you talking with me.’
    I lowered my eyes from his and settled on his basket, noticing that aside from the beer’s, there were half a dozen ready meals. For one.
    He followed my gaze.
    'I thought you might have heard about Amanda and I. She left me the day after the party. Told me she’d only ever seen our relationship as a refuelling period until she found someone that could give her what she wanted.’
    He gave a small laugh but his blushing cheeks and bitter tone indicated that it had come as a complete shock to him.
    I reached out to touch his arm in empathy. Then I remembered the cold winter morning that he had announced over breakfast, at our newly purchased dining table, that he was leaving me for Amanda. The pool of anger and humiliation I thought had long gone, resurfaced with full force, almost taking my breath away. I felt my voice come out in a strangled tone.
    ‘Well I’m sorry to hear that Will, but as they say, what goes around comes around. Let’s face it - you certainly had it coming.’ I raised one eyebrow at him challengingly, almost willing him to argue.
    He looked away sadly, unable to meet my eyes as his blonde hair flopped down across his forehead.
    ‘I think you’ve made yourself perfectly clear , Lizzie. I said hello for old times sake, not to try and gain sympathy. I know that would be a fruitless effort. The past is the past but I know one thing; I made a mistake with you, Lizzie' he reached out and took my hand in his.   
    My mind desperately tried to stop my hand from cooperating, but my heart said otherwise. I felt his fingers entwine with my own and ached for his embrace.
    His voice became a whisper as tears threatened to form in his eyes.
    'You were the one for me , Lizzie and I pushed you away. You know my number; if you ever want some company, even as friends, then call me. I couldn’t think of a better person to spend my time with.’
    His eyes bore into mine pleading with me to say something. Behind him, a family fought over which cheese to put into their trolley, the mother reprimanding the older child, whilst the father winked in conspiracy. Something shifted in my heart strings as I looked back towards Will. Had he not been so selfish and mindless, that could have been our future together, as a family. Instead he had chosen to disrespect me and ruin the love that we had. Only a fool would go back for seconds. I snatched my hand from his.
    A static crackling filled the air and a harsh, high pitched voice boomed over the echoing speakers.
    ‘Customer Announcement, Customer Announcement. Please could Elizabeth Saunders come to the customer services desk, Elizabeth Saunders to the customer services desk.’
    Will stood speechless as I turned without words and walked away from him.
    Each