Try Me Again: A Second Chance Lockdown Novella

By Clare Lydon

What if lockdown means your ex moving back in?

Dot is still bristling over Caitlin leaving when she turns up at her door, asking to stay.

It's just until Caitlin can get a flight to New York, to the glittering new life she dumped them for.

But when the job falls through, Caitlin has to confront some home truths.

Now she knows what she really wants, can she convince Dot to try her again?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Clare Lydon
• Release date: Aug 26, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393282525

Book preview

Chapter 1

Caitlin knocked on the shiny blue door.

Her heart covered its eyes.

Defeat reclined on her tongue.

In an ideal world, she wouldn’t be anywhere near her old flat. However, ideal had long since left the building.

Footsteps stomped down the stairs.

Caitlin pushed her shoulders back and stood as tall as she could.

The door swung open.

Dot’s frame slumped, her lips parted. She swept some hair from her eyes. What the? were her ex’s first two words. Followed by a shake of her head, then a slam of the door.

Caitlin hitched her bag higher up her shoulder.

That went well.

She knocked again.

Fuck off, Cait. Dot’s tone was razor sharp, not blunted by the two inches of wood between them.

Dot.

You’re supposed to be on a plane to Mexico according to social media.

Caitlin was all too aware. I know. But the flight got cancelled, and they’ve told us to turn around and wait for further instructions. I can’t go back to Sasha’s, so I hoped you’d let me stay for a few days. She raised her voice, hoping it would reach through the door. I’m throwing myself on your mercy. The reality of that sank in. Caitlin truly was desperate. It was Dot or bust. "I’m literally begging you. I get that this is as far from ideal as we could possibly wish for. But you’re my last hope. Plus, you’re the nicest person I know. You always were."

Caitlin started counting to ten. Dot always needed time to process.

When Caitlin hit eight, the door opened slowly. This time, it stayed open.

Dot was wearing a violet T-shirt Caitlin didn’t recognise. Her arms were folded.

Caitlin didn’t blame her. If the situation was reversed, hers would be, too.

"I am nicer than you. You’re damn right. But there’s no reason to be nice to you. You don’t deserve it." Dot’s face was set in stone.

I know. Caitlin wasn’t lying. It was the plain truth. "I don’t deserve it. But that was before we started living in a global pandemic."

You really think I should let you stay here? After what happened?

Caitlin dropped her head. I know I don’t have a leg to stand on, but there’s a virus on the loose which means I can only be outside for an hour a day. Government orders. She tried a glimmer of a smile, hoping it wasn’t too soon. It’ll only be for a few days. Just until my flight gets rescheduled.

Dot’s knuckles whitened as she clutched the edge of the door. I can’t say no, can I? Where would you go? Your mother’s?

A shiver ran through Caitlin. She’s my only other option. She’d sat on the bench at the airport with phone in hand, staring at her mum’s number. She couldn’t call it. She couldn’t call Dot’s either. Caitlin had figured showing up was her only option.

Dot dropped her head, then raised it. Have you eaten?

As if on cue, Caitlin’s stomach rumbled. Nope. Not since, she checked her phone, yesterday when I had a shitty prawn sandwich from Boots.

Dot gave her a look. How many times do I have to tell you? Boots is a chemist, not a food shop. She paused. I was going to order a curry.

Caitlin’s favourite. She smiled. Does that mean I can stay?

Dot scowled. On the sofa. She held up a peremptory finger. Just for a few days.

Caitlin nodded, gripping the handle of her suitcase. Of course. She picked it up. She wouldn’t have to go to her mum’s. She could kiss Dot, but that would be inappropriate, seeing as they’d split up two months ago. Boundaries were what Dot had accused her of lacking. Caitlin was determined to show she could respect hers.

You know what else? She scanned the top of Dot’s dark, thick head of hair. I can cut your hair. Okay, perhaps she needed to work on the boundaries. But Dot’s undercut was half-cut. The rest of her hair was plain drunk.

And there was me thinking lockdown couldn’t get worse.

Thank you, again. Caitlin wanted