Second Time Around by Colette Caddle Page B

good friend and Suzie realised that she had practically abandoned her. She had some fences to mend but, despite her lousy memory, Suzie’s gut told her that Nora would forgive
her.

Chapter Nine
    Nora lit up when her phone rang and Suzie’s voice filled the car.
    ‘Nora? It’s Suzie.’
    ‘Hey, you, this is a nice surprise.’
    ‘Really?’ Suzie sounded doubtful. ‘Sorry I haven’t been in touch. I wouldn’t blame you if you hung up.’
    ‘I am going to hang up,’ Nora said, smiling as she overtook the lorry in front.
    ‘You are?’ Suzie sounded like a lost child and Nora was delighted that she’d obeyed her instincts.
    ‘Yes, because you need to get ready.’
    ‘For?’
    ‘I’m about an hour from Dublin so get your gladrags on. I’m taking you to lunch.’
    When Nora pulled up outside Suzie’s house, the door was flung open and Suzie came out with open arms and a wide smile. ‘It’s so good to see you.’
    Nora clung to her, feeling quite emotional. ‘You too.’ She stepped back and smiled. ‘How are you feeling?’
    Suzie frowned. ‘Not great.’
    Nora studied her and was frightened when she saw the anxiety in Suzie’s eyes. ‘What is it? Are you getting headaches, dizzy spells?’ The doctors had given them a list of
symptoms to watch out for.
    ‘No, nothing like that. I’ll tell you when I’ve a glass in my hand.’
    ‘Fair enough. Shall we just wander down to the Italian on the seafront or do you fancy going further afield?’
    Suzie shook her head. ‘No, it’s a nice day. Let’s make the most of it and walk.’
    Nora raved about Suzie’s hair and told her she looked well but decided it was best not to comment on the tight, low-cut dress she was wearing. Obviously Mandy’s
choice, she thought grimly. When they reached the restaurant she continued to make small talk until they’d ordered and the wine had arrived before pursuing the conversation.
    ‘So, tell me what’s on your mind.’
    Suzie took a long drink. ‘I had a frank conversation with Aileen, yesterday. She was telling me what I used to be like before the accident.’
    ‘Oh?’ Nora decided to listen to exactly what had been said before commenting. Aileen was a good sort and had been kind to Suzie but she wasn’t one to pull her punches.
    ‘I’ve made a right fucking mess of things.’ Suzie looked miserable.
    ‘I don’t follow.’
    ‘She told me how I always used to fuss over Bobby, spoiling him. That I’m partly responsible for turning him into the little demon I’m now complaining about.’
    ‘I’m not sure I’d go that far,’ Nora said, although it was true that, before the accident, Bobby had been the apple of Suzie’s eye.
    ‘I would,’ Suzie retorted, annoyed. ‘Then there’s Jess. I’ve made her totally dependent on me. It’s probably my fault that she ended up having an affair with
a married man.’
    Nora stared at her. ‘Jess is having an affair?’
    ‘Not any more, she isn’t. I warned her to end it. Screwing one of her editors and, of course, it had to be the one from the local paper. I know him, and his wife. They have three
little kids. Jess claims she thought that he was separated.’
    ‘I’m sure that’s true, Suzie. Jess would never knowingly get involved with a married man.’
    Doubt clouded Suzie’s eyes. ‘Maybe. Sometimes I want to scream at her and others I want to hold her and say I’m sorry. The thing is, I don’t remember much of what
happened before the accident. I can’t believe that I wouldn’t have known if she was involved with someone. We were always so close. Sometimes I’m not sure if I’m remembering
or imagining things.’
    ‘That must be scary.’ Nora’s heart went out to her. For all Suzie’s assertiveness, underneath she was obviously uneasy.
    ‘There are so many gaps in my memory, Nora. I only remembered yesterday that you stayed over at least once a month. How could I forget that? We had some great nights.’
    ‘We did.’ Nora