Chapter 10

Nina had a couple of close friends in the city. They had gone to university together and met up for lunches and nights out. Once things got more serious with Rory, they had seen each other less, but still kept in touch. Megan and Leah had been saddened that she was moving to the country, but had said how lovely it would be to visit.

There were work colleagues, of course. Sometimes there would be a trip to the pub when a big project ended, or for a birthday celebration, but they weren't friends as such. Nina did think that she would miss those occasions, though, and she would definitely miss Megan and Leah.

A couple of weeks into her country idyll, Nina called Megan for a chat.

"Hi Meg, how's it going."

"I'm fine. What about you? How's the countryside?"

"I've got to admit, so far, so good. The house is lovely, but needs some decoration, so that is keeping me busy."

"Is there anything to do there? Like theatre or concerts."

"Nothing much in Fernborough, but we are only twenty miles from a bigger town and they have stuff there. To be honest, with the house and getting settled, I haven't had time to even think about anything else."

"You said that you knew some people there. Have you met up with them?"

"Oh, yes. Grant and Maria. Grant was Rory's best friend at school. They are really nice. They brought Champagne with them when they visited, so they are good people. I'm going to go out with Maria in a couple of weeks, too. A shopping expedition with lunch."

"Ah, I'm glad you are settling in. You have Rory. He can make the best of any situation. It might be different, but it sounds great. I'm glad that you are making new friends, too."

"What about you? What are you up to?"

"Leah and I are going to a concert on Friday. It will be a bit of a farewell, as she is going to work in New York for 6 months. I think she is going to call you in the next day or so. I'm busy at work and I'm hoping to move soon. I've found a flat closer to the office. I'll be able to walk there in about half an hour, weather permitting. I'll also be in the thick of it. Restaurants and coffee bars everywhere."

"That sounds good. Let me know if it all goes ahead."

"Will do. It's lovely to talk to you. I've got to dash Nina. I'm going on a date. Keep your fingers crossed that this one isn't a dud."

"I will. Good luck and we'll talk soon."

That had been an odd conversation. Both of them were just going through the motions. Saying what they ought to say, but with no real interest in the others response. Well, not from Meg anyway. There was no mention of visiting or even being that interested about Fernborough. Would the move mean the end to the friendship?

Megan had noted that Nina was making new friends. It was almost as if that lifted an obligation. Nina was fine, had things to do and people to see, so she could be left to get on with it. Was she reading too much into a snatched conversation? Only time would tell.

The news about Leah had been a surprise. Their connection had always been looser than the one Nina had with Megan. It hurt a bit that she had not called to let her know. To be honest, it was doubtful whether she would call before she jetted off to America. Leah was a bit thoughtless like that.

God, she had been stuck in a rut. Going to work each day in a stressful environment. Meeting up with friends who were becoming distant even before she moved away. People grew and changed. They were heading in one direction and she had headed to the country. It seemed that it would be a birthday and Christmas card kind of relationship.

Nina was a little down when Rory got home. The chat was relayed and Rory, with his usual optimism, had said that she was being overly sensitive. Her and Megan had been friends for years and it would endure. She thanked him for his encouraging words, but inside she thought that he was wrong.

Over the next few days, Nina came to terms with the reality of moving and the effect that had on others around her. Being happy and accepting her new life was more important than clinging onto the old life. Megan would make the effort to keep in touch or let things slide. It was not such a big issue as she had first thought.