The Tears Of A Clown

Chapter Twenty two

It wasn’t long before the incident of Estelle’s rather public break up reached Jelena’s ears as well. But she found herself having mixed feelings about it.

Part of her was happy that Estelle had finally seen sense where Patrick was concerned, yet she found herself also feeling a little uneasy about the new turn of events, wondering how it was going to effect George.

When she met up with him and Maria later that afternoon, Maria gave her own personal eyewitness account of what happened, as they sat on the grass outside the Big Top

“So you think it really is over between them for good this time?” Jelena asked, her casual tone, belying her own personal concerns.

“Oh yeah, I don’t think Patrick took the public humiliation bit very well to forgive her, or want to take her back,” Jelena replied, “Not that I think she would have any intentions of going back to him either,”

“I see,” Jelena replied, she now glanced around at George, who sat next to her, idly picking at the blades of grass whilst not very saying much.

“I bet you are happy she has finally realised what a jerk Patrick is, and broke up with him”

George looked up at her and shot her a brief smile, “Yeah, not before time. Pity she didn’t realise it sooner, it might have saved us all a lot of hassle” he added dryly

“True,” Jelena agreed, wondering if George was thinking that perhaps if she had, maybe he would have stood a better chance with her.

“Have you spoken to her yet?” she then asked, her heart suddenly thumping loudly in her chest.

“Nope, no one has seen her. She seems to have gone into hiding and avoiding everyone ever since it happened,” George replied, “I doubt she will want to talk with me of all people anyway,” he then shrugged as he watched the short blades of grass he had plucked, filter between his long fingers onto the ground, seeming lost in his own thoughts

Jelena silently thought it would be only a matter of time before Estelle would probably seek George out, to try and mend their friendship. And although she would like to see it happen, the prospect scared her a little

She slipped her arm through his, laying her head on his shoulder, as usual seeking comfort in his close physical presence, to rid herself of her insecurities, “I am sure everything will work out,” she said, not sure if she was trying to convince him, or herself

In the end Jelena’s silent prediction came true.

But it was almost a week later before Estelle plucked up the nerve to approach George.

Jelena was with him, both of them sitting on his caravan steps, where he was gently but firmly massaging her shoulders and trying to help he relax her aching muscles, after her latest gruelling training session with Maria earlier that day

Jelena had her eyes closed, she was enjoying the feel of George’s fingers kneading the area near her shoulder blades when she realised a dark shadow seem to loom over her, making her open her eyes and lift up her head to see Estelle standing there just in front of them, looking anxious and uneasy, with a faint awkward smile.

George stilled his actions, although his hands remained on Jelena’s shoulders, as he looked up at Estelle. Self consciously, Jelena found herself leaning back against him.

“Hi,” it was Estelle who spoke first, shifting uneasily, “Look I don’t blame either of you if you never want to speak or bother with me again, I deserve no better after my recent behaviour,” she admitted looking somewhat shamefaced.