**Female Friendship**
Katie and I have been friends since schoolwell, since Year 7, when she moved into our neighbourhood. Back then, I didnt have any close girlfriends. Most of the girls clustered around the school beauty, Lucy Mallory, whose father was a professor. The rest of us, myself included, stayed on the sidelines.
I never bowed to Lucy, but I didnt argue with her eitherI stayed neutral. While Lucys group sized up the new girl, probing about her family, I took Katie under my wing. Naturally, I filled her in about Lucy and her followers.
Why are you always alone? Rebelling? Katie once asked me.
No, I just like my own company. If youd rather be friends with them, I wont hold it against you.
Katie chose me. We werent picked onwe were simply ignored. I showed her around the school, explained the teachers and classmates, and generally clued her in on how things worked. Funny thingLucy, the professors daughter, didnt follow in her fathers footsteps. Last I heard, she was working in a boutique. She pretended not to recognise me when we crossed paths.
Katie was clevermore so than meand, to my mind, prettier too. At that age, were never happy with how we look. I thought I was too plump, too busty, with legs too short. My hair frizzed in every directiona proper ugly duckling. Katie, though, had sleek blonde hair, bright blue eyes, the perfect figure, and long, slender legs.
Years later, she confessed shed always thought *I* was the pretty one and had envied me desperately.
We became inseparable. We even planned to go to the same universityuntil Katies mother pushed her toward an economics degree, while I dreamed of becoming a doctor. Not just any doctor, mind youa surgeon.
We argued, didnt speak for three days, then made up because we couldnt bear being apart. In the end, we each went where we wanted. We saw less of each other, but when we met, we talked for hours.
In her second year, Katie fell for a boy on her course and wouldnt stop going on about him. I had no time for romanceLatin and anatomy were hard enough, but I loved studying.
By third year, Katie had an abortion. Her parents never knew. By fourth year, she was pregnant again. I didnt like the boyfriend. I tried to talk her out of marrying him, but she wouldnt listen. She told her parents, and they made sure she wouldnt end up a single mother.
By sixth year, I decided surgery wasnt for megastroenterology suited me better. Less pressure. Katie and I didnt meet for two years, until we bumped into each other in town. Shed put on weight, her stomach slightly rounded. I wondered if she was pregnant again but didnt ask. She pushed a pram with a little girl dressed head to toe in pink. Katie noticed my glance and confirmed she was expecting again.
My husband wants a boy.
She was surprised I was still single. Thats when she admitted shed envied me at school, thought herself plain, and rushed into marriage out of fear no one would want her later. Silly girl. We promised to stay in touch.
A year after her son was born, her husband left her.
He called me fatsaid I trapped him with the kids, that I disgust him she sobbed.
You shouldve told me sooner. Id have helped you lose weight, I scolded.
She looked awfulsportswear, hair scraped back, her blue eyes dull.
I told her, as a friend, she had to take better care of herself.
Youre still prettyand still alone, she shot back. I didnt take offence.
Her children grew upNick started school, and her eldest, Lily, began noticing boys. I had flings but never married. I didnt mind. Thats just how it was. Katie and I met occasionally, but life kept us busy.
Then, I was sent to a three-day conference in London.
One man stood outhe stayed in the hotel room next to mine. Sometimes, you just *know*. We even shared a table at dinner. When he heard where I was from, he mentioned a new clinic opening there, run by a friendAlexander.
Ive heard of it, I said.
Would you recommend I take the job? he asked.
Thats your decision, I replied neutrally.
On the last night, there was a concert and reception. We talked, drank wine. I checked my watchmy train was in two hours. Just as I was about to say goodbye, someone pulled him aside. I left without a word.
Hed seemed interested but never asked for my number. Maybe he thought wed meet again. Maybe he had a wife. No ring doesnt mean anything. Still, men should make the first move.
*Hell be surprised when Im not at breakfast*, I thought bitterly. *Pity it ended before it began.* I sighed and put him out of my mind.
Two months later, Katie invited me over.
Somethings happened. You sound thrilled, I said.
Come and see, she teased.
That weekend, I brought sweets for the kids, a bottle of wine for us, and visited. Katie was radianther eyes bright, hair freshly cut, even slimmer.
Youre in love, I guessed.
Ive met the most wonderful man She sighed dreamily.
As she described him, I pictured Alexander.
Youd adore him. Absolute perfection.
Nick was at his grandmothers, Lily out with friends. Time flies. I felt oldmaybe I shouldve had children sooner. We drank wine, ate ice cream.
Hes just started at our clinic Katie mused.
Waityou work at a bank.
Not anymore. I left ages ago. Better pay at the clinic, less stress. Anyway, I was leaving the office with my laptop, and he offered me a lift. Carried my bags upstairs, and I asked him in for tea
And? I pressed.
Nothing yet. But its only a matter of time.
So theres nothing between you? I tried to hide my relief. Whats his name?
Alexander. Alexander Oliver.
Ice flooded my veins. I dont believe in coincidenceswas this fates cruel joke? Katie gushed about how kind he was, how shed invite him to her birthday, and then
And hes not married? Odd for a man like that. Maybe theres something wrong with him? I couldnt resist stirring the pot.
Katie shrugged. Youre just jealous. Youll seeIll marry him.
Devastated, I hid behind polite smiles, wished her luck, and left.
At her birthday party two weeks later, I saw him. Alexander recognised me instantly and hurried over. Katie watched, sharp-eyed.
He said hed taken his friends job offer. I asked if he liked the city, the clinic.
Weve an openingI thought of you immediately, he said.
Ill think about it, I hedged.
Katie pulled him away to help in the kitchen. I slipped out. What was I supposed to dofight my best friend over a man?
The one man Id ever truly fancied, and now Katie wanted him. *Wheres the justice? Why couldnt he just ask for my number in London?* I fumed on the walk home.
Then he called my namehed followed me.
Why did you leave?
You know Katie and I are friends? Shes *very* taken with you.
Theres nothing between us. I gave her a lift once, and she spun it into romance. But Im glad I came tonightI moved here because of *you*.
He walked me home. Still, no request for my number. At home, I found a dozen missed calls from Katie. Id left my phone behind.
I never expected this from you. What kind of friend steals a man? she screamed when I called back.
Katie, I met him first! He was just happy to see a familiar face
We argued like schoolgirls over a crush.
Let me have him, she begged suddenly. Youre beautifulyoull find someone else. This might be my last chance. Please.
Katie, are you sure *he* wants you? If hes chasing me, does he even love you?
Thats none of your business. Just stay out of it. Theres nothing between you, right?
No.
I barely knew Alexander. He wasnt the only man alive. The whole mess sickened me. I resolved to talk to him if we met again.
Two days later, he turned up at my clinic with flowers. I told him about Katies plea.
Youve put me in a difficult spot, Emma, he sighed.
Shes my best friend. I wont ruin that for you. Im sorry, Alexanderwe shouldnt see each other.
A fortnight later, Katie visited. Braced for another row, I was stunned when she said:
We talked. He likes *you*. I wanted to hurt you at firstbut whats the point? You cant force love. Forgive me. I wont stand in your waydont you dare refuse him for my sake.
Relief washed over me. We drank, cried over lifes unfairness, and parted friends.
Alexander and I started dating. Two months later, he proposed. Katie came to the weddingwith a date of her own.
I got pregnant straightawayno point waiting. I often rang Katie for advice, sharing my fears. She soothed me.
We stayed friends, not rivals, certainly not enemies. We each found happiness. They say friendship between women lasts only until a man comes between thembut ours survived the test.
