Boomerang
What did you say to my boyfriend? shouted Natalie down the phone, her voice so shrill it made Eleanor recoil from her mobile.
Me? Nothing at all, Eleanor replied, her tone as calm as ever.
Oh dont lie to me!
A torrent of accusations flooded through the speaker. Eleanor stared, baffled, at her phone before abruptly ending the call. The ringing resumed instantly, but Eleanor refused to answer. Why should she just sit there and listen to someone hurl abuse at her?
Who was that? asked Andrew, her brother, as he poked his head round the kitchen door.
Natalie,” Eleanor sighed. Looks like she and Michael have had some bust-up and, for some reason, shes dragging me into it.
She drifted to the window, arms crossed.
Andrew, honestly, what could I possibly have said to Michael? I havent seen him since his birthday, and even then I barely spoke to him.
Andrew shrugged. No idea what her problem is. Really.
Their mum breezed into the kitchen, glancing from one sibling to the other.
So, have you both eaten? Any plans for today?
Same as ever, said Eleanor. Music lesson and then a session with my tutor.
Me too, chimed Andrew. Might pop round to Michaels later, actually, he added, winking at Eleanor.
Youve both grown up so quickly! Mum gave a wistful sigh. Feels like only yesterday I brought you home from the hospital, and now youre leaving school and getting ready for university…
At least youve got more free time now! Andrew laughed. No more dragging us around to endless clubs and activities.
Mum waved a hand dismissively. Oh, just waitsoon enough Ill be up to my eyes in grandchildren, and all my free time will vanish again.
All day, Eleanor was plagued by uncertaintywhat on earth could she have possibly said to Michael? And when?
The answer came courtesy of Andrew, who, just as promised, swung by his mate Michaels that evening.
You wont believe this, but its all kicked off because of the message you sent me last night, he announced, half triumphant.
What? What message? Eleanor stared at him, utterly confused.
Dont tell me youve forgotten! Yesterday you texted to say you were at that cafe, then told me Natalie had left and you were heading home too.
And?
Well, we were all hanging out together, werent we? I told Michael your lot had finished, and he ran off to meet Natalie outside her houseprobably to wish her goodnight, or snatch a kiss. Romantic, right? Or so he thought
So?
She didnt come back for hours. Two, maybe. Said shed gone for a walk. Yeah, right.
Eleanor gazed thoughtfully at her brother. Crikey. I get it now. Makes sense.
You think she was meeting someone else? Andrew asked bluntly.
Looks that way, Eleanor nodded.
On the surface, they seem madly in love But you havent done anything wrong. Honestly, you did the right thing letting me know where you werethe worlds a safer place when you do. Please keep doing that.
Im hardly to blame for any of this! Eleanor huffed. If she wanted to meet someone else and didnt want Michael to know, she couldve warned me at least. Not that it wouldve stopped me telling you our evening had ended She just picked the wrong time for her secret rendezvous.
After all that, Natalie sulked and ignored Eleanor, convinced shed engineered the whole thing, even though Eleanor always kept Andrew updated for her own safetyso he could walk her home if need be. Eleanor tried to make peace, but Natalie refused. The truth soon surfaced: Natalie had in fact been seeing another lad, and Michael ended it after a little sleuthing on his own.
Well, fine, let her sulk, Eleanor told herself.
That falling-out changed everything. It made Eleanor rethink her futureshe decided not to apply for university in her hometown like she and Natalie had once planned, but in a bigger city, for a course she genuinely liked, not the compromise the two friends had chosen together.
And she got in.
Eleanor, are you certain about all this? Mum fretted. Youll be moving away living in a student hall all by yourself. Are you sure you want to go to that city, of all places?
Mum, honestly, Ill be fine, Eleanor said, trying to sound reassuring.
Of course shell be fine! Dad grinned, giving Eleanors shoulder a hearty thump. Look at her! Chose her own course, aced her A-Levels, sorted herself out. Brilliant job!
Mum bit her lip. Its justwith Andrew nearby, I always felt at ease. Now
Andrew cant be your shadow forever, Dad said gently. Shes got to start life on her own at some point.
I know, I know Actually, Eleanor, do you remember Aunt Maureen? With a daughter your age? Her husband used to work all over Europe
Vaguely, replied Eleanor. No clear memory surfaced.
Theyve just moved to that same city. I could drop Maureen a line; maybe you could stay with them for a bitor at least pop round for a cup of tea. She is my cousin, after all.
Mum, no, itd just be awkward for everyone, Eleanor shook her head firmly.
Would you consider renting a flat? We could help with the money? Mum ventured weakly.
Mum Eleanor sighed, No, its too expensive for you. Ill be fine. Loads of people manage with halls and make it through. Ill cope.
James gazed out over the university courtyard, watching fresher after fresher hurry past.
So, whats the verdict on the new lot? Any keepers? he asked his friend.
Theres always plenty to choose from, replied Mark.
Youve probably chatted up all the best-looking ones already, havent you? James snorted. Go on, Markadmit it.
Maybe I have, Mark smirked. You need to show your face at work more often.
Jealous, are you? James stretched and yawned. Youre fully aware Im barely on the payroll as it is. Sohave any of them said yes to you?
Nope. Mark shook his head. Some have boyfriends; others just didnt fancy me.
James raised his eyebrows, intrigued. Interesting. Point out the ones you couldnt sway later on, yeah?
Mark rolled his eyes. Youre hopeless. You just want to beat me at my own game and break a few hearts for the thrill, dont you?
Why not? Its a life lesson for themand for those with boyfriends, itll teach them to appreciate what they have. As for the otherswell, I do like a challenge.
Mark moved away from the window. Right, Im off. Lets talk after lunch.
At lunch, the pair grabbed a set meal and found a spot by the window.
Go on, spill. Tell me about the girls you struck out with.
Just then, the door opened, and a striking girl seemed to float into the canteen.
Whos that? James asked, sitting up straighter.
Thatsthats Eleanor, said Mark, his tone suddenly different.
James scrutinised his friend. Waitdont tell me youre smitten with her? Did she turn you down?
She did, Mark admitted after a pause. Shes not interested. But I think shes just really into her studies, to be honest.
All she cares about is work? Got it. Dyou know anything else? Her family, where she lives?
Shes in halls.
Halls? You must be joking. She rejected you even though shes living in student digs? Does she know youre loaded and could help her breeze through exams?
She doesnt care about money, and as I saidexams and all She wants to do everything properly, on merit. Clear?
James was silent, still watching Eleanor with open curiosity.
I bet you anything I can win her over, James said finally.
No. Mark leaned in, his voice harsh. Leave her alone.
Alright, alright As you wish, James smiledalready planning how best to get her attention.
Eleanor wandered back to her student halls. Living with two other girls, cooking for herself, sharing battered showers and toilets down the hallit wasnt glamorous, but it was a sacrifice she barely noticed. What mattered was her studies. If she kept her grades up, she might get a bigger scholarship, and perhaps land a job at the university.
Hey, gorgeous!
A scruffy-looking lad grabbed her arm.
Come with me!
Eleanor faltered; he dragged her, and though she resisted, she found herself stumbling along beside him.
Let me go! she tried to shout, but her voice barely escaped her throat.
He just laughed, pulling her along.
A voice interveneda second lad stepping into their path. Is everything alright, miss?
Eleanor quickly seized the chance. No! I dont know him!
Im her fiancé! snarled her captor.
Prove it, the other man demanded.
The first halted, slackening his grip. Eleanor yanked her arm free and bolted towards the safety of her hall.
Why am I so foolish? Andrew told me a hundred times to always carry pepper spray!
It wouldnt have helped, said the rescuer, keeping up beside her as she hurried on.
Eleanor stopped, breathing hard.
Its all alright now, the stranger smiled gently. Let me walk you back.
Yes, of course, Eleanor stammered.
And maybe, once youve calmed down, treat me to a cup of tea?
Eleanors lips twitched. Alright.
How about that café just round the corner?
She nodded.
By the wayJames. Nice to meet you.
Eleanor, she replied.
Time passed. Eleanor and James became inseparableserious, she thought, perhaps even fated. She fantasised about introducing him to her parents, maybe even hearing a marriage proposal one day.
The moment she entered her room, she was knocked sideways by a pungent smell.
Yuck, whos cooking buckwheat? she moaned. Oddit had never bothered her before.
If it bothers you that much, maybe you should take a pregnancy test, her flatmate said dryly.
Why?
If common smells suddenly start making you queasy, your bodys probably up to something. Its worth checking.
Eleanor glowered but retreated, feeling worse with every breath.
Sitting with James, she was tenseshe felt like she was pleading for him to be happy about her news.
Well, its happened, Eleanor ventured hesitantly. We thought it would be later, but
Blimey! How far gone are you? James asked, eyes wide.
Eleven weeks, Eleanor mumbled, eyes downcast. She felt so sillyso obsessed with her studies and their romance she hadnt noticed her own body changing until now.
Great! What does your doctor say?
Everythings fine so far
In that case, Ill be away for a fortnight with work. When Im back, youll move in with me. Agreed?
Absolutely! Eleanors heart soaredshe felt like the luckiest girl in Britain.
Sorted.
But things rarely go according to plan. A fortnight later, James called to say hed changed his mind. The baby probably wasnt his. He was letting her gono discussion. When she tried to find him, his flat was empty and the number no longer worked.
So what are you going to do? Eleanors roommate asked one morning as they waited outside a lecture hall.
I suppose Ill have to ask for a year out, take a break. Theres really nothing else I can do, Eleanor shrugged helplessly.
There areother options, her roommate said, meaningful.
No, Eleanor muttered, shaking her head. Firstly, its too late, and secondly, I couldnt do what youre suggesting.
The first bell rang. The doors opened, students shuffled inside. Eleanor grabbed her bag and joined the crowdjust as a persistent lad approached.
Hi! he said, beaming. Shed forgotten his name, but remembered him pestering her in the early term.
Hello, she answered politely, managing a thin smile.
Hows it going? he asked.
Alright, she lied.
Alright? Youre pregnant, been dumped, and alright is all you can muster? He scoffed.
How do you know? Eleanor narrowed her eyes.
I know James. I know everything.
Ah. Mark, his name is Mark, she remembered suddenly.
You know, Im glad this happened to you. I was so disappointedyou acted like books were your only interest, but all James had to do was rescue you once and you were his. And nowa baby? Brilliant! Every time you look at that kid, youll remember your mistake. Ha! Mark laughed. I set him up to notice you in the first place. Just wanted to make you regret saying no to me.
Wait, Eleanors world rearranged itself. So this was your revenge? Are you planning to punish every girl who turns you down? Youre disgusting!
She tried to walk away, but Mark seized her arm.
No, hang on! Theres more. James got married, you know, Mark sneered. To some hopeless little fool, just like you.
Married?! I dont believe it! Eleanor blurted.
Dont believe me? Look. Mark shoved his phone at her, scrolling to the brides social mediawedding photos, James front and centre with a girl she didnt know.
Mark couldnt stop laughing. Eleanor felt humiliated, destroyed. She bitterly regretted ever changing her plans and coming to this university.
The girls loaded. Jamesll milk her family for all theyre worth, then drop her too, Mark muttered.
Pull yourself together, Eleanor told herself.
Thats none of my business anymore. Just knowwhat goes around comes around. Both of you will get whats coming.
Yeah, yeah. Dream on.
Eleanor turned her back and walked away.
Eleanor barely left her room, skipping lectures, barely eating.
This cant go on, her housemates reasoned. You have to move forward.
She nodded, though she couldnt imagine trusting anyone again.
Come on, start eating properly, and get back to your classes. Youve got a baby on the way, you need to finish the year. Eleanor, please!
She knew they were right, but she just couldnt face it all.
I just dont have the energy, she whispered.
Her housemates exchanged a look.
Look, you said James just got married, right? Why not find that girl and tell her everything? She deserves to know.
Eleanor shook her head. Shes besotted. She wont listen. Besides, it wont change anything for me.
Well, up to you. Are you coming to lectures?
No! Leave me alone.
They left, and Eleanor idly searched for Jamess wifes social media profilebut tossed her phone aside, grabbed her bag and headed out to campus anyway.
Eleanor wasnt sure how she passed her exams. At the years end, she called Andrew to pick her up and bring her and her belongings home.
Wow, sis, you really kept this quiet! Andrew grinned as he helped her load her bags into the car. Wonder what Mum and Dad will say
Im dreading their reaction too, butwell, its life. On the bright side, there are positives!
Seriously? Andrew grinned. Like what?
Well, Im nineteen and already have my child. Wont need another maternity leave once I start working, and by then my kid will be out of nappies and less likely to fall ill all the time. Itll keep me motivatedno slacking when theres a little one to provide for. And finallyitll be a proper test for any future boyfriend. Thats something, right?
Andrew burst out laughing.
Glad to see you havent lost your optimism. Its all going to be fine. Ill always have your back, Eleanor.
Back home, a surprise awaitedAunt Maureen and her husband had come to visit. The house was full, so Eleanors parents saved any serious conversations for another day.
Just lookour daughter got married this summer, cooed Aunt Maureen, passing her phone to Eleanor. She glanced at the photos, but then paused, staring. It was James, her ex, staring back from every picture as he grinned beside his new wife.
Blimey, Eleanor thought. James has married my cousin, even if were not that close.
Truth is, I cant see this marriage lasting, Aunt Maureens husband said, shaking his head. Hes not in love, that much is obvious. Maybe he just wants our moneybut he wont get a penny, I can assure you.
Eleanor gave a little smile. She didnt know if shed ever make use of this knowledge, but she was certain of one thing: sooner or later, everyone pays for what theyve done.
