You're No Good

Posting this a bit early (technically this is Friday's post), a dear friend is traveling very early tomorrow (today her time) and I wanted to make sure she was able to read this before she travels.

She was driving to London, a weekend away from everything. Franco was in Germany preparing for his move and she'd decided to visit Ellen. She never heard the phone ring. Knowing her own weaknesses, she had let technology be her friend.

Robbie's number was the only number in her phone routed directly to voicemail. It had pained her to do it but she was often her own worst enemy where he was concerned. This way there was no temptation, no moment of weakness if she'd had just a bit too much to drink.

The drive was uneventful and went more quickly than she'd anticipated. She knew Ellen wouldn't be home. It would give her time to get settled before the inevitable drinking started. Letting herself inside, she carried her single bag up the stairs.

Dropping her phone on the bed, she didn't see the icon on the phone telling her she had a voicemail. Instead, she unpacked the dress she'd brought for the next night and carefully hung it in the closet.

Tucking her phone into her pocket, she headed downstairs to open a bottle of wine. Just as she was pouring a glass, she heard the front door open. Reaching above her, she pulled down another glass and filled it before walking into the small entryway.

Ellen smiled at her, "You are the perfect wife." Ellen set her things on the small table, took the glass then pulled Laura into a warm hug. "It's good to see you."

Tears filled Laura's eyes as she returned the embrace. She'd missed her friend, missed the unconditional support. "Me too."

Pulling back, "You OK, Lolo?"

Nodding, she wiped the tears away. "I'm fine, hormonal, but fine."

Linking their arms together, Ellen guided her to the sitting room. "I thought we'd order some takeaway, drink too much and catch up. How does that sound as a plan?"

Dropping onto the sofa, she smiled at her friend. "I think it makes you the perfect husband."

Looking at her friend quizzically, she ruffled her hair. "Let me change. You know where the menus are. Pick something and we will order when I get back." She quickly downed the remainder of her wine, then handed her glass to Laura. "Top us up."

Laura nodded, watching Ellen walked away. She was amazed by the changes in Ellen. Finding someone to love had calmed her, made her more self-assured. She bit at her lip thinking how nice it must feel.

In the kitchen, she refilled their glasses then rummaged through the menus, selecting one. Knowing it would be a few minutes, she called in the order. As she was holding, she remembered she hadn't texted Franco to let him know she'd arrived safely.

Ending the call, she opened a text message and typed in a quick note. "Made it safely. Expect all future texts to be written under the haze of alcohol. Xo Laura."

She was just settling back on the sofa when she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. Pulling it out, she couldn't help but laugh as she read his message. "Glad you are safe. I wouldn't be opposed to a few drunken texts, especially of a naughty sort. Xo Franco"

Smiling to herself, she typed in a quick response, "Only if you promise to return the favor. Xo Laura."

As she was closing the text screen, she noticed the icon for a voicemail. Knowing it could only be from one person, she considered ignoring it. Her finger hovered over the icon. Picking up her glass, she took a deep swallow and hit the button.

"Laura, I know you are ignoring me and, honestly, I even understand why. I've pushed you away and perhaps it was one time too many. But as I sit here watching the sun slide over the horizon, I am flooded with memories of you. Memories of times we've spent together playing like a movie in my head. And my favorite is the first moment I saw you. And what I realize is I want millions of more memories of you, of you and me. I leave tomorrow but it's only for a few weeks. And then I will be back here, in Oxford. Because you were wrong, there is a reason for me to stay. You, Laura, you're the reason for me to stay. I'm not going anywhere, Laura."

She dropped the phone, felt as if her hand had been burned. "Do you have my glass, Lolo?" She turned, knocking over both glasses of wine.

Ellen closed the distance between them, sitting next to Laura, "What's wrong? Has something happened?"

Laura shook her head, pointing to her phone, lying discarded on the floor. Ellen bent to pick it up. "Listen to the voicemail."

Ellen pressed the play button, then listened. "Bollocks. What a complete arse?"

Laura stared at Ellen, "What…why do you say that?"

Turning back to Laura, anger blooming across her face, "Because he is a complete arse." Holding up the phone, "How dare he? He finally realizes you might no longer be at his beck and call and does this.

Dropping the phone into Laura's lap, she picked up the glasses and went to the kitchen. She opened a new bottle and filled the glasses then grabbed a towel before returning to the sitting room. Setting the glasses on the end table, she mopped up the wine, calmly.

"You don't know him."

Turning to Laura, she smiled kindly. "No, I don't." A smug expression crossed Laura's face. "But I know you when you're with him." She handed a glass to Laura, then sat next to her.

"And who am I with him?"

"You're not you. You're less confident, diffident, mousy. Much like I am when I with Alec."

"Ouch, Els. That hurts."

Taking a sip from her glass, she fixed Laura with a steady gaze. "The truth often does, Lolo."

"Why haven't you ever said anything?"

Ellen shrugged, "Until Stephen, I don't think I noticed. My whole world view of relationships was Alec and others of his ilk. Stephen helped me realize a good partner should make you a better version of yourself." She paused, "I've seen you with Franco. You are better with him."

"You make it sound so simple."

Reaching over, she squeezed Laura's hand. "If you let, it is. Delete that message, forget all about it. And when you get back to Oxford, commit to Franco. Let yourself be loved by someone who values you for you."

Tears filled Laura's eyes, "And what makes you so sure Robbie doesn't?"

Wiping the tears from Laura's face, she smiled. "Because, he treats you the way Alec treated me all of these years." Ellen laughed, "And the worst part, you haven't had the benefit of really great sex." Raising her eyebrow, "Or have you been holding out on me, Lolo?"

Laura couldn't help but laugh, "No, I've not been holding out."

"Then it shouldn't be hard to give him up."

"I don't know how."

"Just accept, he's no good for you. Then accept that Franco is. You broke his heart the first time and yet he's still willing to love you. How many times has Robbie broken your heart?"

The doorbell rang. Ellen stood smiling down at Laura, "That's all I'm going to say about it. The rest is up to you."

The remainder of the evening passed in peace. They drank too much, ate too much and laughed too much. As they staggered up the stairs, they were still laughing. At the top of the stairs, Ellen pulled Laura into a hug, "I love you, Lolo."

"I know and I love you, Els."

"Delete that message, then give Franco a call."

Laura nodded then turned to her room. She changed into her pajamas then went to the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face. When she returned to the room, she picked up her phone. Her finger hesitated over the play button for just a second. Pushing it, she listened to his message again.

At the end of it, she scrolled through her phone, finding his contact information. Pressing the call button, she waited for the call to connect.

His voice filled the line and she couldn't help but smile, "I thought I was supposed to get drunken texts, not a drunken phone call."

"I thought you might prefer conversation of a naughty sort in person."

His laughter was low, sexy, "Well this isn't exactly in person."

Suddenly, she knew Ellen was right. She stretched across the bed, laughing. "I bet I can still get the job done."

Feeling better now that we're through
Feeling better 'cause I'm over you
I learned my lesson, it left a scar
Now I see how you really are

You're no good
You're no good
You're no good
Baby you're no good

I'm gonna say it again
You're no good
You're no good
You're no good
Baby you're no good

I broke a heart that's gentle and true
Well I broke a heart over someone like you
I'll beg his forgiveness on bended knee
I wouldn't blame him if he said to me

The nickname, Lolo, is a bit personal. My sister has a special nickname for me. Only my family and my oldest friend in the world are allowed to call me it. I suspect Ellen and Laura would have something similar.