**Female Friendship**
Kate and I have been friends since schoolYear 7, to be precise, when she moved to our neighbourhood. Back then, I didnt have any close girlfriends. Most of the girls orbited around Lucy Marshall, the school beauty whose father was a professor. The rest of us, myself included, kept to ourselves.
I never bowed to Lucys charm, but I didnt pick fights eitherneutrality suited me fine. While Lucys clique sized up the new girl, checking her family background, I took Kate under my wing. Naturally, I filled her in on Lucy and her little entourage.
*Why are you always alone? Rebelling?* Kate asked me once.
*No, just independent. I like it this way. But if youd rather be friends with them, I wont hold it against you.*
She chose me instead. We werent bulliedjust ignored. I showed Kate around school, warned her about the teachers, and explained the social hierarchy. Ironically, Lucy, the professors daughter, never followed in her fathers footsteps. Last I heard, she worked in a boutique. She pretended not to recognise me when we crossed paths.
Kate was cleverer than me, andso I thoughtprettier too. At that age, I despised my reflection: too stout, too curvy, legs too short, hair an untameable mess. A proper ugly duckling. Kate, though? Smooth blonde hair, blue eyes, just the right proportionseverything I wasnt.
Years later, she confessed shed envied me fiercely.
We grew inseparable. We even planned to attend the same universityuntil her mother pushed her toward an economics degree while I set my heart on medicine. Not just any doctora surgeon.
We argued, didnt speak for three days, then made up because life apart was unbearable. In the end, we each went our own way. Meetings grew rare, but when we did see each other, we talked for hours.
In her second year, Kate fell hard for a boy on her course. She wouldnt shut up about him. I had no time for romanceLatin and anatomy were brutal, but I loved the challenge.
By third year, she had an abortion. Her parents never knew. By fourth year, she was pregnant again. I disliked the blokebegged her not to marry himbut she wouldnt listen. Her parents made sure she wouldnt be a single mother.
Sixth year, I abandoned surgery for gastroenterologyless pressure, more peace. Kate and I lost touch for two years until we bumped into each other in town. Shed put on weight, her belly round enough that I wonderedbut didnt dare ask. A pink-clad girl sat in the pram beside her.
*Husband wants a boy this time,* she said, catching my glance.
She seemed shocked I was still single. Thats when she admitted shed envied me at school, called herself a *plain mouse*why shed rushed into marriage, afraid no one else would want her. *What nonsense.* We promised to stay in touch.
A year after her son was born, her husband left her.
*He called me fat. A cow. Said I trapped him with kids. That I disgusted him* She sobbed into the phone.
*You shouldve told me sooner. Id have helped you slim down,* I scolded.
She looked dreadfulsweats, hair in a messy ponytail, those blue eyes dull. I told her, *Divorce is hard, but you cant let yourself go like this.*
*Easy for you. Still pretty. Still single,* she shot back. I didnt take offence.
Her kids grewNick started school, Lizzie fancied boys. I had flings, but marriage never stuck. No regrets. Thats life. Kate and I met occasionally, our paths drifting apart.
Then came a medical conference in London.
A man caught my eyestayed in the hotel room next to mine. Ever meet someone and just *know*? We even shared a table at dinner. Hearing where I was from, he mentioned a new clinic opening therehis friend ran it, had offered him a job.
*Ive heard of it,* I said.
*Would you recommend I take it?* he asked.
*Your choice,* I replied neutrally.
On the final night, there was wine, small talk. I checked my watchmy train left in two hours. Just as I meant to say goodbye, someone interrupted him. I slipped away without a word.
I thought he fancied me too, but he never asked for my number. Maybe he assumed wed meet at breakfast. Maybe he had a wife. No ring doesnt mean a thing. Men should make the first move.
*Hell be surprised when Im not there tomorrow,* I thought bitterly. *Pity it ended before it began.* I sighed. Not meant to be.
Two months later, Kate called, voice bright. *Come over.*
*Whats happened? You sound giddy.*
*Youll see,* she teased.
I brought sweets for the kids, wine for us. Kate was radianthair shorter, waist slimmer, eyes sparkling.
*Youve met someone,* I guessed.
*Oh, hes *wonderful*,* she gushed, describing himand all I saw was *him.*
*Youd adore him. Absolute dream.*
Nick was at his grans; Lizzie was out with friends. Time flies. I felt ancientmaybe I *should* have had kids young, like Kate. We drank, ate ice cream.
*He just started at this clinic*
*Wait, I thought you worked at the bank.*
*Changed jobs ages ago. Better pay. Anyway* Shed bumped into him leaving accounts, hed carried her bags home, shed offered tea
*And?* I pressed.
*Nothing yet. But its only a matter of time.*
*So nothings happened?* I fought a grin. *Whats his name?*
*Alexander. Alexander Oliver.*
Ice flooded my veins. Coincidence? Or fates cruel joke? Kate prattled on*So kind, so attentive*planning to invite him to her birthday, where
*And hes single? Odd, a man like that. Something must be wrong,* I muttered.
She shrugged. *Youre just jealous. WatchIll marry him.*
Devastated, I forced a smile, wished her luck, and fled.
At her birthday party, I saw him. Alexander recognised me instantly, rushing over. Kate glared.
*Took your friends offer, then?* I asked.
*Actually, I hoped youd join us. Theres an opening*
*Ill think about it,* I said.
Kate dragged him away. I left. Whatfight over a man?
*First time I meet someone Id actually marry, and my *only* friend wants him?* I fumed walking home. *Wheres the justice? Whys he so *spineless*? Shouldve asked for my number in London*
Then*Wait!* Hed followed me.
*Whyd you leave?*
*You know Kates my friend, yes? And shes mad about you.*
*Theres nothing between us. I gave her a lift onceshes built fantasies. I only came tonight hoping to see *you.* I moved here *because* of you.*
He walked me home. Stillno number asked. My phone, left behind, showed ten missed calls from Kate.
*I *trusted* you!* she screamed when I called back. *You *stole* him!*
*We met at the conference! He was just being polite*
We squabbled like schoolgirls over a crush.
*Let him *go*,* she begged. *Youre pretty, freeyoull find someone. This might be my last chance.*
*Kate, if hes chasing *me*, does he even *want* you?*
*Not your concern. Juststay out of it.*
I barely knew Alexander. Plenty more men. The whole mess repelled me.
Two days later, he turned up at my clinic with flowers. I told him about Kate.
*This is difficult,* he admitted.
*Shes my friend. I wont fight over you. Best not meet again.*
A fortnight later, Kate arrived, contrite.
*We talked. He wants *you.* I wanted to hurt you at first. Then realisedno forcing love.*
We drank, cried over lifes unfairness, reconciled.
Alexander and I started dating. Two months later, he proposed. Kate attended my weddingwith a date of her own.
I got pregnant straight awayno point waiting. Kate was my confidante, calming my fears.
We stayed friends, not rivalscertainly not enemies. Each found happiness.
They say female friendships die at the first man. But ours? Ours survived.
