Leave the past buried

As she finished her wine Emma could feel herself relaxing, what she had thought might be an awkward meeting was in actuality becoming quite a fascinating one. Outside the dusk had begun and the sun was almost entirely gone. Inside the bar the lights were on, some pop tunes from the early 2000's were playing.

Liam grabbed her empty glass and his own. "I'll get you a top up". She thanked him and settled into her seat. Pulling out her phone she saw a message from Tom.

*Glad you made it in one piece and it's a nice venue. I'm still stuck at work :( xxx* she smiled reading it and replied.

*Sorry you are working. Make sure you get yourself something to eat! I am just catching up with school friends xxx* she typed. It was not a lie she thought, true she had not mentioned chatting to her ex. But no reason to trouble him over that. She put her phone in her clutch as Liam returned.

"I thought it wouldn't be right unless I had seen you have at least one drink from the old days" he then placed infront of her a tall glass with coke in it. Taking a sniff she could smell the coconut rum.

"Thank you, I do not often these days but it's nice to see everyone!" she took a sip from her straw. "So Married man, anyone special in your life aside from your wife?" she enquired.

He looked awkward for a moment before answering. "Not so much. What with setting up work and then Kennet I have not really had much time for anything serious. Some dates, but not much else. And you? Things are good with whatshisname?"

Emma replied "Tom. Yeah things are good. We are living together and coming up for 5 years" she took another sip.

"Well he's a lucky guy, I hope he treats you well" he offered. She smiled at that.

"He's a good man and makes me happy" she stated.

"And clearly he trusts you to look after yourself, seeing as you are here on your lonesome this weekend" Liam said. She felt her insides clench. What had he meant by that? Was it an innocent comment?

"I've never given reason for him to doubt me" she said, her voice with some added steel.

"Nor him, you?" he asked. Again it seemed an innocuous question, but it filled her with queries about what he was asking really. She felt a small spike of anger, but whether it was what he said or how she was feeling she was not sure.