Lucy in the Sky

night who had the NERVE to text me from YOUR MOBILE PHONE?’
    Silence.
    ‘JAMES?’
    ‘Lucy, what are you talking about?’
    ‘You know what I’m talking about.’
    ‘Lucy. I categorically do not know what you’re talking about.’
    ‘The girl, James, the girl you shagged last night. She texted me from YOUR MOBILE PHONE!’ But my rage is losing momentum.
    Now he’s exasperated. ‘Lucy, what the—I can assure you, I did NOT shag anyone last night. I had a couple of Friday-night drinks with the boys from work and then I went home to bed.’
    ‘But—’
    ‘ALONE.’
    ‘So who sent—’
    ‘I still don’t know what you’re going on about! What text?’
    ‘I got it at nine o’clock, before take-off. It said, “Hi Lucy! Just shagged James in your bed. Thought you should know…Four times this month—’”
    ‘Those fuckers!’ James angrily interrupts.
    ‘What?’
    ‘It must’ve been the lads, trying to wind you up. They’ll have nabbed my phone when I went to the bar.’
    Tears spike my eyes and I take a few deep breaths as I realise he could be telling the truth.
    ‘Lucy?’ he asks gently. ‘Are you alright?’
    ‘No! I’m not! I threw up on the plane!’
    ‘Oh, God. Lucy, I’m so sorry.’
    ‘It’s okay,’ I sniff. ‘It’s not your fault.’
    After a moment he speaks softly. ‘Baby, you should have known. I would never cheat on you. I missed you so much when I came home last night and you weren’t there. I can’t believe you think I’d do that. It makes me pretty sad, actually.’
    ‘James, I’m sorry. I didn’t understand. I didn’t know what was going on!’
    ‘Hey, it’s okay. It’s okay. I love you.’
    There are people heading down towards the gate next to me now so I dry my eyes and speak quietly into the receiver. ‘I love you too. I’m sorry for doubting you. I was just really confused.’
    ‘Don’t worry. If one of your friends did that to me, I’d hit the bloody roof! But look, Lucy, promise me you won’t let this spoil your holiday. You’re going to have such an incredible time.’
    When we finally hang up, the relief is so overpowering I actually laugh out loud. A few passengers queuing by the gate turn to stare. I realise I must look a right state, so I head off in search of the nearest ladies’ loos.
    It’s a hot and humid Saturday evening in Singapore and when I packed my hand luggage, I had the intention of making the most of every warm minute. In the cramped toilet cubicle, I change out of my jeans into an emerald-green summer dress and swap my trainers for cork-soled, black strappy wedges. Back out in front of the mirror I tie my just-below-shoulder-length chestnut curls into a high ponytail and splash my face with cold water. I’m not wearing any make-up, but I do apply some moisturiser and cherry-flavoured lip balm.
    Feeling much more normal, I set off looking for Singapore Airport’s outdoor swimming pool. One of my work colleagues,Gemma, told me about it. I don’t want to swim, but there’s an outdoor bar area and I sure as hell need a drink. I’ve got an hour and a half to kill before the flight to Sydney.
    The humidity hits me the second I walk through the electric doors at the end of Terminal One. I decide on a bar-side seat and order myself a cocktail, trying to ignore the terrible Singaporean pop music blasting out of the stereo. Excitement suddenly surges through me. I’m going back to Australia!
    The last time I saw Molly and Sam we were all sixteen and still at high school. I can hardly believe that was nine years ago. Molly and Sam were on-again-off-again back then–something which caused me a lot of heartbreak. I had the most overwhelming unrequited crush on Sam, and every time he got together with Molly or cooled it down, my heart would sink or soar accordingly.
    I’m so relieved neither of them ever found out how I felt. But life goes on, and now I can honestly say I’m thrilled that my two friends are tying the knot.
    At least I think I am, although that could all change when I see Sam again. I sincerely hope not. What is it with first loves that you supposedly never get over?
    As soon as Molly called me with the news of their engagement, I knew I’d have to go back. I left Australia when my English mum married for the second time. It seemed a bit silly, her walking out on my drunkard dad in Ireland and taking me to Australia when I was four years old, only to meet an Englishman and move back to England again twelve