Chapter 1

 

'Gosh, it feels like such a long time since we last spoke.'

'Yes, you're right. It's been a really busy period, especially with your wedding. Now that you are back after your long honeymoon, we will have lots of time to catch up!' Julia smiled at Helen, who was her closet friend since childhood. She noted the nice brown tan that Helen had acquired whilst away with her new husband on a beautiful tropical Caribbean island.

'Helen, you are positively glowing! Married life suits you. How is Ben? How was your trip? Tell me everything!'

Helen laughed at Julia's enthusiasm. She had flown away the day after her wedding, and they hadn't had a chance to talk. Helen was more than willing to fill her in on the details of her blissful honeymoon getaway. Julia always provided her with a good audience.

'Oh, Helen, you both look so happy in these beautiful pictures!' Julia exclaimed, admiring the photo that showed Helen and Ben smiling with their toes buried in the white sand.

Helen took the picture back from her friend with a big smile on her face, though it gradually disappeared and was replaced with a more serious expression.

'And what about you, Julia? How is your love life going?'

'Oh, me....' Julia became a little shy as the spotlight fell on her.

'Yes, Julia, your love life, please tell me you are making more of an effort to meet new people, and hopefully that special someone.'

'Helen, you know not everyone is as lucky as you to meet someone as great as Ben. It's hard for the rest of us,' Julia made her excuses, knowing that she was probably in for another long lecture from Helen on how she had to prioritise her love life! She knew that Helen only hounded her on the topic because she cared about her and wanted to see her happy, but it was still a sore topic for her to address.