Chapter One – The Phone call

A week and a half ago I had a phone call, no wait, a conference call from Charlotte and Samantha.

It was Friday lunchtime and I was at work, working through so I could get off early. Life at home was busy since we moved into the new place. So when I was at work, I was really throwing myself into stuff to take my mind off everything else. I was trolling through the Anderson case when I phone buzzed. Impatiently, I picked up on the speakerphone.

"I said no calls; I need to get off early"

"Sorry Ms Hobbes" said my secretary "I have Mrs. Goldenblatt and Ms Jones on line one, they say it's urgent"

I softened a little "Okay, put them straight through"

"Miranda?" Charlotte shrieked frantically

"What's up Charlotte?" I asked concerned

"Mr. Big" interrupted Samantha

"Oh?" I was taken aback "Explain"

"That motherfucker's been ringing Carrie's number and…"

"Samantha!" yelled Charlotte

I sat back half amused, half confused as I waited for an explanation

"Anyway" Charlotte continued, "I was at Carrie's apartment getting my recommendation and the phone rang and it was Big leaving a message on her machine, so I pick..."

"Bastard! Who does he think…" Samantha interrupted again

"SAMANTHA!" Charlotte shrieked again

I was getting impatient "Will someone tell me what's happening? Please?"

"He's trying to weasel his way into Carrie's life again…"

"He said" Charlotte interjected loudly "He loves her"

I was shocked. Carrie had called me that morning. She was really upset and saying that she had been thinking about Big and how it would be if he were there. I told the girls without hesitation.

"Well," began Charlotte "Can you meet us at 5 in the Coffee house? I rung Steve to tell him you may be a little late, he said it's ok," she said breathlessly before I could mention it

"Sure, I'll be there" I said

"Good, because Big is meeting us there and..."

"WHAT?" screamed Samantha. Clearly Charlotte had neglected to mention that Big was also invited to this hastily arranged meeting

"Hey!" I cut in "if I'm gonna come and meet you guys and hear what he has to say, then I better go and get through some more of this case"

"Okay" said Charlotte in a sing-song voice

"See you there" said Samantha in a less than amused voice

"Bye" we all chorused at once.

I put the phone down slowly. I wasn't too happy to be having a meeting with the guy who broke my best friend's heart but at the same time, I knew that even though she'd vigorously denied it, she still loved him. If anyone could persuade her that she belonged here in New York, it was him. I carried on with my work, though now I had one eye on the clock.