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…...
«- My fucking god... » Said Beryl painfully while she went down the stairs.
-Oh, no alcoholic coma for you then, I was worried.
-Shut up Elsie. »
Elsie laughed. Beryl was covering her eyes with her hand, and trying to go to the kitchen table without hurting herself on something.
« -Where is Bill ?
-Out, buy something for breakfast.
-Okay.
-How is your stomach?
-Bad. Very bad. Did I vomit ?
-Don't think so... How is your head ?
-Hmm... Big hangover. But it's Igor's fault. Why does he always buy so much Vodka ? »
Elsie laughed again. Her friend was funny even with a hangover.
« -Did I embarrass someone yesterday ?
-Why ? Don't you remember a thing ?
-Well, not everything, no...
-Hmm, no I don't think you did an embarrassing thing, but I was not all the time with you.
-Where were you ?
-Well, we made the travel together. We had lunch at the same table. But during the dancing time, you and Bill danced, and I spoke with Robert and Cora, Violet, and I went to the bar.
-And then I found you ! Yeah, I remember now. You were with Charles, right ?
-Yes, I was.
-Oh my god, and I hugged him !
-You did.
-Fuck.
-Actually, I found it funny, we both did, I think.
-And how was it ?
-What ?
-The cake, silly ! The meeting with Charles !
-It was not a meeting. We were both drinking a glass at the same time, no big deal ! We talked 5 minutes and then you came.
-What did you talk about ?
-Nothing particularly, the party above all.
-Did he tell you that he had broken up with Lucia ?
-He did.
-Discuss the party, my ass... Did he tell you about his new girlfriend ? »
Elsie felt a short pain in her stomach. It has been fast, but she did feel it.
« Fuck Elsie. It's been 8 years now. But it's so old and so new at the same time. But think about Joe ! He is real.»
« -No. How is she ?
-Do you really want to know ?
-Sure. What if this one stay for good ? I want to know her.
-Well, Bill and I met her twice. Once in the cinema, and an another one in the supermarket. Her name is Chloé, she is french.
-French ? Well Lucia was Italian... I didn't know he likes other culture that much.
-Says his Scottish ex-wife.
-Right. How old is she ?
-Must be around 40. Are you okay with this Elsie ?
-Beryl, calm down. I'm fine, really. We are grown up adults. He has someone, I have someone. We continue to have a good relationship for our girls, and our friends.
-I really don't know how you both manage to do that. But it's working. Thank god, we don't have to choose between the two of you. »
At this moment, the telephone of Elsie rang.
« -It's Joe, sorry, but I have to...
-For heaven sake, make that awful thing stops ! »
Beryl moaned loudly. Elsie picked up her phone and made her way trough the room where she had slept.
« -Hello, Joe. Fine, and you ?»
…...
« -Hi Charles ! Do come in. You're just in time, coffee is ready.
-Thank you. Where is Isobel ?
-Bathroom. Taking some pills for her hangover I think. »
Charles smiled and took a chair at the bar. Richard passed him his cup and sit next to him.
« -So, how did you find the party ?
-Great, too much Vodka as usual, but great.
-Yeah, plenty of people too.
-That's sure !
-I think I sighed Elsie, but I'm not sure. I stayed with Isobel all the time. She was quite drunk, and I didn't want to let her alone.
-Ah, well Beryl was drunk too ! And yes, Elsie was there.
-Oh, did you talk ?
-A little yes.
-How is she ?
-Good, I think. She looked good.
-I'm sure she did.
-Richard, don't start.
-Start what ?
-I know where you're heading with that kind of stuff.
-Okay, sorry. Did you tell her about Lucia ?
-Yes, because she asked.
-Did you tell about Chloé ?
-No, because she hadn't.
-Did she tell you about James ?
-What about him ?
-They broke up. He left for Brazil two months ago, after telling her he was gay.
-What ? Why nobody told me ? How can someone leave her for a guy ? At his age ! She must have been so sad.
-She was. But not that much. I think there were more friends than lovers. Well, that's what my wife told me. Anyway, she went to Scotland for some time after that, and met someone. What is his name ? Joe, I think. Yeah, Joe. »
Charles felt his stomach hurt. It has been short, but he had felt it.
« Shit Charles, it's been 8 years. But why do I continue to feel like that ? No, think about Chloé. She is really there. »
-Okay, how is he ? Did you meet him ?
-Yeah, once. In restaurant. He was nice.
-How old is he ?
-Don't know. Probably around 65.
-Well, I didn't know she liked them old.
-Says her almost-10-years-older-than-her ex-husband.
-Alright, alright. And I'm 7 years older, not 10.
-Yeah, I know. Are you okay Charles ?
-Of course. Why ?
-Don't know. All this thing...
-All this thing is fine. We are divorced, but civilized. We talked to each other for the sake of our girls, and our friends. She is happy with Joe, I am happy with Chloé.
-How is she, by the way ?
-Good, we have lunch together today. I have to change myself before heading up to her flat. So, I think I will leave. »
Richard smiled and nodded. Both men stand and walked to the door.
« -Bye, Charles.
-Bye. And please kiss Isobel for me.
-I will. »
Charles walked down to his car. His phone rang.
«Hello, Chloé. Yeah, I'm on my way. »