Pat knew Christmas was the ideal time to spread a little joy – and even mend a broken heart
Whatever’s the matter?’ Pat opened the door to her friend, distressed to see such a woebegone look on her face.
‘It’s Tom…’ Helen said, before bursting into uncontrollable sobs.
Pat’s pulse quickened. ‘Is he OK?’
‘He’s OK,’ Helen hiccupped.
‘But you’re not.’ Breathing a sigh of relief that at least there was no injury or anything worse, Pat hugged Helen tight, before ushering her through to the kitchen. ‘I’ll put the kettle on and you can fill me in.’
Ten minutes later, sitting with a cup of tea and some chocolate digestives she’d hidden at the back of the cupboard, as she was trying to diet, Pat listened while Helen poured out her heart…
‘Tom’s been acting strange for weeks…’ Helen wiped her eyes. ‘I knew something wasn’t right, but assumed it was work worries. He’s been staying late at the office, saying how busy he is. Well, last night, he told me he’s been having an affair!’
‘What?’ Pat’s hand flew to her face in shock.
‘It’s over now. He says he’s sorry. He didn’t mean to hurt me and said he still loves me, and wants us to be together. But…’ Helen dissolved into floods of tears again, shredding the tissue in her hands before reaching for another. ‘How can I trust him now?’
Pat squeezed her friend’s hand, her heart aching in sympathy. She’d known things weren’t right between them for a while, but had never expected this bombshell.
Being happily single since her divorce seven years ago, she enjoyed the freedom of pleasing herself. Her work as a book illustrator kept her busy, and she enjoyed the company of her many friends.
She gave Helen a concerned look. ‘Do you still love him?’
‘Yes.’ Helen’s tear-stained face stared back at her. ‘I’m just in shock. I mean… I never thought… never believed… I knew we’d become a bit distant…’
She grabbed another tissue to mop her tears. ‘If he still loves me, maybe somehow we can move on, but I just don’t know how at the moment.’
Pat sighed, wondering how best to give support. She’d always thought Helen and Tom an ideal couple. Taking a breath, she put a comforting arm around Helen’s shoulders.
‘It’s not up to me to tell you what to do. You have to do what feels right. But have you thought about maybe some form of couple cou
