Page 26 of Alice Carver Manifests Her Perfect Life
‘Noteverywhereactually,’ I said. ‘It’s very much for those in the know.’
‘Yeah, that’s not true,’ said Astrid.
‘A Journal for Manifesting… ’ Matthew looked up with undisguised delight.
‘What’s manifesting?’ asked Aziz.
‘How do you not know?’ said Astrid crossly. ‘You’re so out of touch.’
‘As far as I can tell,’ said Matthew, ‘it’s for crazy people who believe they can magic up whatever they want.’
‘I’m not crazy!’
‘You are wearing pyjamas outside,’ said Astrid.
‘I’ve got a coat on!’
‘Have you written in it, Alice?’ said Matthew.
‘Of course she hasn’t,’ scoffed Astrid. ‘She’ll be using it as a prop. Even if she is stupid enough to borrow Arrie’s white pyjamas and wear them outside – Arrie will kill you by the way – Alice is not stupid enough to believe in manifesting.’
‘She’s probably not.’ Matthew stared at me for a moment. Then he smiled, and went to open my journal.
‘No!’ I screeched, shoving Astrid out the way and grabbing it back. ‘That is private.’
‘Amazing,’ said Matthew. ‘Youhavewritten in it.’
‘Yes, I’ve written in it. And manifesting is not stupid.’
‘God, Alice,’ said Astrid. ‘You’re not really saying you believe in manifesting, are you?’
‘Again, what is manifesting?’ said Aziz.
‘You ask for stuff you want and then you get it,’ said Astrid.
‘Gosh,’ said Matthew. ‘How marvellously simple.’
Condescending prick. ‘Actually, manifesting is really quite complex,’ I said. ‘You ask for what you want and only get it if you believe you’re going to get it.’
Matthew sniggered.
‘So sorry,’ said Astrid acerbically. ‘Of course the believing would make all the difference.’
‘To be fair,’ interjected Aziz, ‘it may well do.’
Hmm. Unlike Aziz to disagree with Astrid.
‘Oh come on,’ said Astrid. ‘Are you saying, in your professional opinion, that if you believe in manifesting, it will work?’
‘No, Astrid,’ said Aziz. ‘I’m saying it could make a difference to the outcomes.’
‘Ha!’ I turned to Matthew and Astrid. ‘You heard the doctor. Manifesting works. He believes. I believe.’
‘Not quite what I said,’ said Aziz.
‘Interesting,’ said Matthew. ‘Do you remember Lee Parker from primary school? Used to believe he was a dog? Insisted on eating out of a bowl on the floor? I assume, by that principle, Alice, Lee Parker now is a dog?’
Astrid laughed. ‘I think he’s actually a plumber.’
