22

Olga was concerned, she thought there would be no need for her to worry any further about her best friend Lydia after the events of today, but here she was at home sitting in front of her computer screen in disbelief. If she was not imagining things she had just read a comment on the blog of this snake in the grass and it implied that for reasons beyond Olga’s compre­hension her friend did not have the wisdom to move on with her life and put this bad experience behind her.

This was not something Olga could simply accept. She was not that sort of friend, if she believed a friend of hers was about to make a mistake like this then she felt it was her duty to do what she could to prevent any negative repercussions. Rather that than have to pick up the pieces as she had been forced to do earlier today. After the recent happiness and radiance Lydia had been exhibiting her downcast face and long silences had been in stark contrast. Olga had been very careful not to tell her friend that this was the outcome she had long suspected may come about. But now look at what might be about to happen! Lydia was thinking of meeting this man. She had virtually promised as much! Thank goodness I checked on the blog and found out, I do believe Lydia was not about to tell me.

Olga picked up the ‘phone and dialled her friends number. When Lydia picked up her voice was formal, as usual, but then she realised it was Olga and became quiet.

“Isn’t there something you want to tell me Lydia?” Olga prompted her. “You know you do not have to go through this alone, after all if you cannot talk with me then who can you talk to?”

“Oh Olga, you are so kind, but you did not need to call me. You saw me this afternoon and the tea and sympathy were most welcome. It was lovely having you around at my place with J playing and everything. There’s no need to call me in the evening too, I am a big girl now you know!” Lydia had not picked up on the knowing tone of Olga’s voice.

“Lydia, I know our computer is a lot older than your lovely new machine, but you do realise that I am able to access the web, and I have seen your comment on that dirty rat’s Blog site. I cannot for the life of me understand why you still insist on keeping your rendezvous at the café. Can you explain what madness it is that has taken hold of you?”

Lydia felt a fool. How could she not have realised that her friend had every chance of seeing that comment. Here she was, calling her when barely an hour had passed since she had made the comment.

“Olga, dear heart, I do not expect you to understand. I scarcely understand myself. I just feel that if he has had the courage to make that statement then I owe it to myself to at least see who this man is. I do not intend to let him have the same advantage over me – my plan is that I shall remain anonymous and observe his misery to offer me some cold comfort for his deception, do you think I have a cruel streak in me?”

“No Lydia, I just think you are a little crazy to be doing this” sighed Olga “Listen, at least consider letting me come with you? You’ll have to wait for me though, because we know we cannot take J with us so I shall need to find a place he can stay, or a minder to come here. Will you promise me to wait for me to arrive before you set out. If you cannot wait any longer then I insist you call my mobile before you leave your apartment. Deal?”

Lydia considered for a few moments before offering her answer, “OK deal, so long as you promise to only accompany me and not to offer up your opinion so readily unless I ask for it. Does that sound fair?”

“Alright then, I’ll try” though Olga knew this may be just a little more than she could comfortably manage to do, she promised in an effort to ensure her friend only ventured out with Olga by her side.

“Good, then we can go together. I am planning to leave early enough to be there before he may arrive, so can you have J sorted out in time for us to get there around ten thirty or so?”

“For you, I can do this. It is the least I can do after all your kindness to me and J” said Olga warmly, “and in any case, I am as keen to see this snake in the grass with my own eyes as you are. We can try to make it a nice outing for the two of us, share some cake and coffee and have a chat, it will make us almost invisible to him I am sure. You are doing the right thing to allow me to come with you Lydia, you know that don’t you?”

“But of course Olga, I can just be a rather silly woman at times, after all I have not had the experience of how to handle life that you do. I am lucky to have such a kind friend.” Said Lydia.

“And now I must go” Olga told her “because it is getting late and I need to sort out where J will go and then get some sleep. It sounds like tomorrow may be a big day for us.”

“OK, goodnight then, dearest Olga”

“Goodnight and sweet dreams my friend”