Page 27 of Alice Carver Manifests Her Perfect Life
‘It’s easy to mock things that make you uncomfortable, Matthew,’ I said, looking at his infuriatingly grinning face and Astrid laughing, and even Aziz smiling, and feeling likeI did when I was fifteen – like the butt of the joke – that familiar sting behind it, of being judged and found wanting. Always Matthew Lloyd. Why was I still letting him get away with it? ‘Obviously you have a problem with thinking in new ways, and that’s your prerogative, but we’re not all stuck in the past.’
‘I’m open-minded,’ said Matthew mildly. ‘And what do you mean, stuck in the past?’
‘Well, you’re mentioning people from primary school, and you’ve bought the hotel in the village you grew up in. Still coming round to ours on Boxing Day. It’s not exactly branching out, is it? Moving on?’
Matthew surveyed me and then nodded slowly.
‘What is your problem with Matthew, Alice?’ said Astrid. ‘Is this because Mum and Dad suggested you ask him if he could find you a proper job when you lose yours?’
‘I’m notdefinitelylosing my job and itisproper!’ I snapped. ‘You people don’t understand creativity! And I’m not the one with the problem! Matthew is.’
‘I do have a problem with stuff like that journal,’ said Matthew. ‘I don’t like exploitation.’
‘How isThe Guideexploitative?’
‘How much did it cost?’ Matthew asked.
‘I don’t know.’ Obviously I did. ‘It was a gift.’ If I’d hoped that would put him in his place, I was sorely mistaken.
‘Well, it’s just a notebook essentially – they likely have a ninety per cent plus profit margin on this. I saw that trademark on the front. Bet it’s littered with them. Somebody is making a lot of money out of vulnerable people like you.’
‘Says the man who charges £6 per coffee in his pretentioushotel. Which is a sideline. And what do you mean vulnerable? I’m not vulnerable.’
‘Okay,’ said Matthew. ‘Fine. You’re not vulnerable. But you have spent a load of money on a promise. Only certain people are going to be open to buying magic beans, right? You don’t see me or Astrid or Aziz “manifesting” relationships or jobs, do you?’
‘No, genius, because you’ve already got them –youdon’t need to.’
Matthew raised his eyebrow slightly. ‘Indeed. But perhaps vulnerable peoplemightneed them, or feel that they do. And luckily,The Guidecan help! Does sound a bit like magic beans?’
Tosser.
Aziz winced like he was feeling sorry for me.
‘It’s not magic beans,’ I said. ‘Manifesting. It works actually.’
‘If you say so.’ Matthew smiled smugly. ‘Whatever you feel the need to believe in for you, Alice.’
I would give anything, anything to wipe that smile off his face.
‘I feel for you,’ I said. ‘That you find it hard to open your mind.’
‘Iamopen minded,’ said Matthew. ‘I just know you’re wrong.’
‘And what if I’m right?’
‘Then I’d be delighted.’
Liar. He can’t lose at Scrabble. He can’t lose at anything.
‘Tell you what,’ Matthew said. ‘How about you prove it to me?’
‘Fine. I will. And you’ll have to admit you’re wrong.’
‘No, Alice,’ said Astrid, sighing. ‘You’ll have to admit he’s right. You can’t manifest things. It’s nonsense.’
‘Yes, you can.’
‘Okay,’ said Matthew, ‘so manifest a car.’
