"You are, you're fucking him," he said with a shocked look.
"Keep your voice down," I said, as I nervously glanced around.
"I don't believe this. Christ how long has it been going on?"
"I mean it Dave just drop it, and if you tell anyone I swear I'll drop you in it too," I spat.
"Yeah how, everyone knows we fucked. That was ages ago, its old news now."
"You arrogant bastard, I mean about you and Sabrina," I hissed back.
He looked shocked now, realising I knew more he wanted me to.
"The day Pete hurt his leg, I heard you when I ran to get his towel, you and her in the girls changing rooms. That phone call was from Sabrina, not your wife!"
I moved back hoping the rage in my eyes and voice would soon calm down a little.
"In that case Gillian we had better look out for each other."
"I'm not the one with a wife you are!"
"So that makes it OK for you?"
"Pete is 18. Legally we are doing nothing wrong."
"Sabrina is 18 too. But let's face it we would both be in the shit if it got out."
I moved forward, "look at the moment I'm worried about Pete. I don't want to talk to you, and I certainly don't want to watch your back."
I spun on my heels and took a few steps away. Pete was my only concern now. I heard rushing footsteps and Pete's mother and father calling out to Dave. Annabelle was there too. Dave went into a room with Pete's parents, Annabelle stopped at the door. She looked back at me.
"What are you doing here Miss?"
I could see suspicion in her eyes.
"I heard Pete was rushed in here. I didn't realise Dave was here, Mr Bird I mean."
Swallow it please Annabelle I said in my head.
"Oh," she mumbled.
She disappeared through the door. I just hoped she didn't think Pete and I were seeing each other. I tried to find an excuse to stay, but that book in my head was slammed shut again. It wouldn't let me open it to find the right excuse, even if there was one. That night I had a heart to heart with myself. I knew this had to stop now, I wanted to do what was best, but that wasn't best for me! I had to let go of Pete now. I had to walk away. I phoned Diane and slowly I blurted everything out to her. She sat next to me an hour later cuddling me as I wept. I saw the mobile that Pete had left me start to glow and vibrate.
"Is that him?"
I nodded as it stopped.
"Don't Diane," I mumbled, as she reached for it.
She picked it up and read it to herself. Her eyes searched mine, "Oh Gillian what are you going to do?"
She held up the phone and I read it.
'I'm OK, I can't wait to see you again, and I want to sleep with you, soon.'
Pete had got an infection into his wound from a few weeks ago. Of course I blamed Dave Bird for letting him start swimming again too soon. But I had bigger problems to worry about. I hadn't returned Pete's messages. They were coming thick and fast over the last few days. I phoned him late at night, I had to tell him people knew about us and Annabelle had her suspicions. He listened as I cried down the phone telling him it was over. He didn't interrupt. I told him he should date girls his own age, I told him an 11 year age difference was too much especially as he was only 18.
"So that's it is it? You know dad is 13 years older than mum?"
"It's for the best Pete; it's what's best for you."
He was silent for awhile.
"Thanks a lot!" he grizzled.
I closed the phone and switched it off.
I had finally agreed to see him. He wouldn't take no for an answer, not until he had spoken to me face to face. I didn't want him coming to my house; I thought I'd probably crumble. I stood outside the cinema, still not knowing how to tell Pete it was over. I bought the tickets and we sat at the back on the left. It was dark when we got in there, and I could only see a handful of people watching the movie.
I felt his hand tentatively hold mine; my eyes began to water as I squeezed it. This wasn't supposed to happen! I couldn't let him go now. He kissed my neck and I began to sob.
"I love you Miss," he whispered.
I didn't answer him. I just held Pete's hand trying to convince myself I didn't want him. Several times I went to start but I just couldn't. Why did he have to say he loved me? It wasn't fair, it just wasn't fair. I didn't have a clue what was going to happen now. I just sat there with him, hoping for something to drop out of the sky to end my life! Eventually I leant into his shoulder, giving up any hope I had of ending this now.
"Christ there's Sean with Becky the new girl," Pete gasped, "they won't see us Miss, keep quiet."
We watched Sean get up leaving Becky in her seat.
"Oh my god there's Della now Miss."
"Enjoy the film slut!" Della growled, and then she spat in Becky's face.
"God look at your tits hanging out you tart!" one of Della's friends snapped.
"I suppose that's what I'll get if people find out about us Pete?"