Page 28 of On The Edge

Cat gritted her teeth slightly at the girl’s remark.

“No Patrick today?” Bernie giggled, making Johnny look up.

“Oh Cat, do you have a young man?” he said, with an air of someone far older. As they were in fact the same age, she’d be damned if he was going to embarrass her after only just arriving, Cat interposed quickly.

“Yes – I mean, no! Patrick, he’s just a friend I’ve made on the island. This is my friend Johnny; Johnny, this is Bernie.” She introduced the two mischief-makers and noted to herself to keep a closer eye on Bernie in future.

“A pleasure, always nice to meet beautiful local ladies,” he remarked to Bernie, and Cat cringed at his flirting.

Bernie tucked her hair behind her ear and beamed at Johnny. “What can I get you both?”

Cat looked over to the cake stand. “Caramel slice please!” She couldn’t help herself, their cakes were to die for, although at the same moment, she thought to herself, maybe a break from the café might be a good idea; her jeans were growing more tight on her waistline by the day.

“Make that two!” Johnny nodded to the waitress and winked, making Bernie giggle as she sauntered off.

Cat decided now was as good a time as any to ask Johnny what was going on. “Johnny, love - is everything ok?”

“Of course!” Johnny smiled, but his usually bright blue eyes looked the complete opposite.

“I think we both know that’s not true.” Cat waited for his response. He was quiet for some moments, and looked out the window.

“Can’t a man visit a friend?” he murmured sadly.

“Of course,” Cat continued to look at him as he watched the street outside. “Only I’ve not heard from you at all until now.”

“I know.” His body language softened a little as he sighed. “I just got caught up with work, and before I knew it time had passed, and - ”

“I understand that, Johnny. But didn’t you get my messages? Even if you had just contacted me once to say you were OK?”

He looked down at the coffee Bernie had quickly placed down in front of him. “Thank you, dear,” he said with a small smile. Bernie, confused by the very different reception she had received this time round, discreetly left them to their serious conversation. He looked up at Cat. “I could never hide anything from you, could I?” he sighed.

“How is Mark?” Cat asked and stirred her cappuccino.

“OK” Johnny sighed again. “Actually, I don’t know, he... he's left me.”

Cat had suspected this might be the case. “I’m so sorry, Johnny... what happened?” She put her hand on his.

“Turns out you’re not the only one I’ve been neglecting. Work took over my life. After getting made partner at the firm I thought things would be easier. But with that responsibility I had to be a part of landing big clients, taking them out to dinner, entertaining. I was hardly at home.” He fiddled with his teaspoon.

“Do you still love him?”

“Of course I do!”

“But you’re here!” Cat said, confused.

“I needed a break...” Johnny put his head in his hands.

“I’m sure you do, love, but you need to talk to Mark too.”

“I don’t know what to say!”

Cat looked at her old friend, he sat looking utterly miserable, and utterly exhausted. Cat bit into the buttery caramel shortbread and savoured the sweetness on her tongue.

“How’s your shortbread?” she asked through a full mouth.

Johnny quietly followed her lead and a flicker of light came into his eyes. “It’s really good!”