Part 8 (1/2)

'Well, nothing very specific but when I asked him, half jokingly, if he thought she might be having an affair, he answered like he'd really thought about it. I mean, he said, no, he didn't think so, but obviously...'

'Wow!'

'I'd never have thought she was the type, but I wouldn't have thought she was the type to walk out either.'

'Did you ask about their... s.e.x life?'

'Of course I didn't! What do you think I am?'

'Mum's right about one thing, though.'

'What's that?'

'Mike has has always wanted children.' always wanted children.'

'I thought they'd resolved that.'

'Resolved it in so far as Mike agreed to go along with what she wanted. What was it she said once? That they'd both agreed there was enough in just the two of them?'

'Oh, well, I don't know. The only thing I said to him was that maybe he should talk to you.'

'Me? Why me?'

'You two have always been close and maybe if Jean was... you know... if she did...'

'You mean if she was having an affair I'd be able to tell, given my history?'

'Not exactly.' Lucy was visibly cringing.

'It's OK. I know what you mean.'

'Anyway, he didn't want to bother you, it being your big night and all.'

I wish he had bothered me. In all the years I've known Mike I've always thought of him as an absolute rock not only for Jean but for the whole family. I can't imagine life without him.

'Actually,' continued Lucy, 'that wasn't the only thing I was talking to Mike about the other night.'

'Oh?'

'Yeah, I was going to tell you that day before the party... but... well...'

What is it, Lucy?'

Well, you know the way I've never had a boyfriend for very long and how I've never really been in love?'

'Yeah?'

'And how I've never really had that kind of pa.s.sion you know, that uncontrollable sort of pa.s.sion like you had with Daniel?'

'Yeah?'

'Well, I think I might know why.'

'Oh?'

'Yeah. I think I might be a lesbian.'

'A what?'

'A lesbian. I believe you've heard of them. Into women rather than men.'

'Seriously, Lucy, you think you're gay?'

'Yeah, I do. Well, actually I don't think it. I know it. I'm gay. I am.'

Wow. Well, congratulations!'

I hugged her. It had taken a minute to sink in but it made perfect sense. Lucy was gay. And she was delighted.

'Does anybody else know?'

'No, you're the first. Well, except Mike. I told him because he's so level-headed. If it sounded right when I said it to him I'd believe it more myself.'

'And what did he say?'

'He was delighted. He said I was the best-looking lesbian he'd ever met. And that womankind was lucky to have me.' She laughed.

'Wow,' I said again. 'How long have you known?'

'I'm not sure. Maybe I've known all my life. But I met this woman recently and I suppose she kind of helped me work it out.'

'Oh? And is she your girlfriend?' I asked, grinning.

'No. I don't have a girlfriend. Not yet anyway. She's a friend.'

'So what's your plan now? Are you... ”out”?'

'I suppose so. Though I don't want to go advertising it. I'll tell the others well, maybe not Ruth, not yet, and not Mum and Dad. I'll leave them alone until they've got over one bombsh.e.l.l.'

'But you're happy about it?'

'Oh, Kate, I'm so happy. I'm a bit scared too... that people will look at me differently. But it's not like I've changed or anything, I'm still the same person. It's just that I won't be having any more boyfriends.'

'I suppose that means you and Luke have split up?' I asked innocently.

'Poor Luke. He's a sweetheart. He won't even notice.'