“Fuck, fuck, fuck!”
“No, you didn’t, Cat. Tell me you didn’t.”
Cat narrowed chocolate-lashed eyes at her brother across the kitchen table, shrugging, ruby lips pulled tight in a shamed grimace.
“You did, didn’t you?”
“Fuck!”
Cat covered her face with her hands.
“I am so stupid. Why do I let her do this to me?”
“Because you love her.”
Cat looked up at him through parted fingers, confusion scarring her porcelain features. “Do I? I don’t know, Ed. I thought I loved Sam…”
Ed stood, his chair scraping loudly on the tiled floor, he carried his cereal bowl to the sink. “You need to sort this, Cat, and fast.” He turned back to face her. “It’s not fair on anyone, especially you.”
Planting a kiss on top of her head as he passed her he said. “Don’t beat yourself up. You’re not the first person in the world to love two people at the same time you know.”
Cat watched him leave, then dropped her head onto the kitchen table with a sigh as heavy as her heart.

**
Okay, okay. I am going to tell her it’s over. Cat said to herself as she twirled the cup on the saucer, eyes darting from the cafe, to the street and back to the table. She checked her watch for the fifth time in two minutes.
Inhaling deeply, she glanced at her phone. No text, no call to say she wasn’t coming.
Tapping perfectly manicured nails on the Formica, she took another sip of her coffee and slid her eyes to the street again.
Frankie was grinning at her through the window.
Cat felt her heart lurch as she forced a smile back, wiggling her fingers in the air in a half-wave.
Straightening herself as Frankie slid into the seat next to her, she managed to say, “Hey.” Without her voice breaking.
“Hey yourself.” Frankie said, reaching across, taking her drink.
Cat smiled, signalling the waitress. “How’ve you been?”
Frankie shrugged, fixing her eyes on Cat, chin tucked into the collar of her coat.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch, I’ve been really busy at work and…” she stopped as the waitress appeared at their table, “another skinny latte please, thanks.” She waited until she was out of earshot and continued with her excuses, “…well, you know how it is.”
Frankie thrust hands into her pockets, sliding further down into her seat. “Actually, Cat, no, I don’t. I haven’t got a fucking clue how it is.”
“Don’t swear.” Cat whispered, glancing around them nervously. She flinched as Frankie sat bolt upright, leaning into her.
“Don’t swear? Fuck you, Cat!” She slapped her palms onto the table between them. “I haven’t heard from you in almost a week. What’s going on?”
Cat sighed, reaching across the table to cover her hands. “I’m sorry, okay? This has been really difficult for me, Frankie, my head’s all over the place…”
Frankie pulled her hand away, avoiding her gaze. “I’m sure Sam has helped you through it though hey?”
Cat closed her eyes momentarily. “You knew I was with someone, Frankie. Sam is lovely, we live together, I’m not just going to shut her out.”
“Right, but it’s ok to come round and fuck me behind her back is it?”
Tears stung Cat’s eyes as she looked at Frankie again. “No, no, Frankie, it isn’t.”
She sighed heavily. “That’s why I wanted to talk to you today, I can’t do this anymore. It’s over.”
Frankie grinned a lop-sided grin, rolling her eyes. “Of course it is, Cat.” She slid along the seat, leaning into her, placing a casual arm around her shoulders as the waitress put another drink on the table. She smiled at her as she left, then breathed into Cat’s ear, “It’ll never be over, Cat.” She said, her other hand resting on her thigh. She felt Cat stiffen at her touch; heard her gasp as she buried her nose into her hair. “I love you.”