Page 16 of When We Were Friends
Tiff drummed her fingers on the table. ‘I’d say revenge is also good motivation. That’s why I’m prepared to do this.’ Tiff rubbed her hands together. ‘I’ll show Hugo that I had the last laugh. I bet he’s stuck doing some crummy desk job.’
Morgan kept quiet, wondering why Paige couldn’t stop looking at her.
‘Although I’ve thought about how Olly must feel,’ Tiff added, in a gentler tone. ‘It must be so odd, never having met one parent. I look in the mirror and know where every feature came from. My mouth from Mum, my striking nose, thanks for nothing Dad… whereas Olly must look and feel like half is unexplained.’
Morgan had never thought of it like that. She imagined not knowing where her small feet came from, surprised at the sense of emptiness that would create.
‘Remember how, at the beginning of every school year, with new teachers, the class would be made to introduce themselves one by one?’ asked Tiff. ‘We’d say a couple of lines about ourselves. How about we do that for us now? Just the basics. I’ll go first.’
It was good to see Tiff so much more confident in herself. Back in the day, there was an awkwardness about her, and an apologetic air that didn’t go with how she gave bullies the finger. She used to be larger than life, laughing, making dramatic gestures. Occasionally. Morgan used to wonder if it was because, inside, Tiff felt much smaller.
‘I spent most of my twenties working in bars and taking any acting job – I got bit parts in pantos, did voice-overs, had walk-on roles in soaps. Finally, a top agent signed me up and now I’m finally doing bigger stuff. I couldn’t believe it when I won an award for a West End play I was in, and then was cast as the top suspect in a cosy crime series, which was pretty big on Netflix. I’ve even been asked for selfies by people who’ve watched it, which is strange but amazing. I’ve got a month off before I start filming my next job, a thriller set on the Isle of Wight. And this time, I’m the lead.’
‘Don’t expect me to be the first to follow that glittering CV,’ said Emily, in a tense tone.
‘If it helps, I’ve never had a long-term relationship. Not that it’s a big deal,’ Tiff added with a fake Hollywood smile.
Emily shot her a curious look. ‘Okay, well, I’ve done that at least. I’ve been married, but we’re currently separated. I was a nurse. In A&E. Lewis is a paramedic.’
‘A nurse? Wowsers. Go you, Emily,’ said Tiff.
Morgan loved how that could have been teenage Tiff talking.
‘I’m not surprised that you went into the caring profession,’ said Paige, ‘after the way you looked after your mother.’
‘Well, I’m not a nurse any more…’ she said, looking as if she’d just been asked to empty ten bedpans. ‘Actually, working in the emergency department became pretty shit.’
The other three looked at each other. Words weren’t necessary. No doubt Paige and Tiff read the news like Morgan, and remembered the lockdown clapping for NHS workers, a gesture that led to no changes to their gruelling work circumstances.
‘What will you do next?’ asked Paige.
‘I’ll sort something out.No big deal.’ She shot the words towards Tiff as if fighting a duel.
‘As you and Emily know, Morgan, I’m a body language expert,’ said Paige. ‘I advise people over non-verbal communication, stuff like body movements. I teach businesses and individuals how to get ahead by presenting themselves in a certain way – and how to read the behaviour of their competitors and customers.’
‘You went to university?’ asked Morgan.
‘I studied psychology – and then did a master’s in kinesics.’
‘You used to like analysing people,’ said Tiff. ‘We forced you to do us once.’
‘God yes, I remember you said I was a product of my parents in more ways than one,’ said Morgan. ‘Practical, you said I got on with life’s mistakes, accepted there was no point fretting about things that couldn’t be changed, like the time the hairdresser misunderstood and gave me a fringe. It was hideous, looking back! But you noticed I held my head high, clipped it back and wore headbands until it grew out, that I found it funny, when another girl might have thought the world had ended.’
‘Whereas you saw that I was an open book, until I wasn’t, when my mum fell ill, you said I changed, kept asking why I didn’t invite you lot around very often.’ Emily shook her head. ‘I’d have thought the answer was obvious, as if I had the time to entertain you three in between washing Mum’s hair and comforting my brother after a teacher had been mean.’ Emily’s shoulders hunched up.
‘And I was a sensitive soul, you reckoned,’ said Tiff, ‘well suited to the creative industry. You said my emotions spoke through my hands.’ She shrugged. ‘Guess you were right. My drama school teachers had to knock that out of me when I delivered lines.’ Tiff held her hands together, now. ‘Tell us about your love life, Paige.’
‘Felix and I have been married five years,’ she replied.
‘Kids?’ asked Emily.
Paige shook her head and muttered, ‘No big deal.’
‘Well, as you know, I got pregnant,’ said Morgan briskly. Paige’s mouth had turned down at one corner, it always used to do that when she was feeling sad. ‘I work in a supermarket, live in a council house around the corner from Mum and Dad’s, and I’m currently single.’
Actor, nurse, business owner… cashier. Morgan didn’t want to feel like a failure. Many of her colleagues loved their jobs and climbed the ladder, becoming supervisors. Retail work had its plusses but wasn’t what Morgan had ever wanted. She took out a notebook and pen and moved the chat on to talking about Hugo. She explained that she’d already searched online, and also contacted the school secretary who was in charge of the alumni newsletter, how she’d agreed to contact Hugo if he was listed and ask if it was okay if Morgan got in touch. Morgan hadn’t heard back. ‘If you three can help me piece together who Hugo’s old friends were, I might approach them if they are on social media.’
‘No need. I’ve got a plan,’ said Emily.
