Page 5 of Alice Carver Manifests Her Perfect Life
We both listened to the strains of the harpist playing Olivia Rodrigo.
‘All a bitBridgerton, isn’t it?’ I said.
‘Costing me a bally fortune,’ said Monty. ‘The whole thing is. I mean the hotel alone. Even with the discount.’
‘I bet,’ I said, looking around. This hotel had received some serious investment.
‘Hang on,’ he said, ‘when you worked here – didn’t Matthew Lloyd work here too?’
‘Yes.’
Monty shook his head in disbelief. ‘How things change.’
He wasn’t wrong. It felt like a lifetime ago, that summer we spent here as bar staff. Matthew and I had been friends. Itwasa lifetime.
‘Enough to make a man weep,’ said Monty. ‘You see that bally great picture above the fireplace? It’s a Banksy print.’
‘Yes. I know.’
‘Costs tens of thousands. Can’t see why, personally. I’m basically paying for that bally picture, I tell you.’
‘Hmm,’ I said, remembering the vows. ‘So Minty’s letting you pay despite her fierce independence… ?’
Monty harrumphed. ‘Still living in your aunt’s flat, Alice?’
And suddenly I couldn’t hold back. Monty was the one person who’d always adored me and now he was being snide. ‘No, Monty, because my aunt wants it back so I’m not living anywhere actually. God. Talk about kicking someone when they’re down! Honestly, I get that Minty’s better than me. Everyone gets that. You prefer Minty. And that’s fab – she’s your wife. Your very young wife. You should prefer her. I just don’t get why you’re having to put me down in the process. I mean that duet? And telling everyoneyoudumpedme?’
Monty wouldn’t meet my eyes. ‘Now you know how it feels.’
‘Seriously? Is that what this is about? Is that why you invited me?’ My voice broke on the last bit and I could feel my eyes stinging. ‘You were always so kind, Monty. What did Idoto you?’
Monty’s sweet face crumpled. ‘Don’t cry, Alice,’ he said. ‘Please.’ And then he pulled me close to him, suddenly, and hugged me.
He smelled of Floris and whisky and familiarity and even though I was cross with him, I couldn’t help but hug him back.
‘I thought you wanted to stay friends,’ I said.
‘I do,’ said Monty.
‘Well, friends don’t treat each other like this!’
‘You’re right, Alice,’ he said guiltily. ‘I don’t really want to hurt you. You know I don’t.’
I sighed. ‘I know.’ I shifted uncomfortably, feeling something rigid digging into my shoulder. ‘Ow. What is that?’
‘Oh, it’s the microphone,’ he said, unclipping it with one hand and setting it on the side table. ‘From the speeches earlier.’
‘God, make sure it’s off,’ I said snottily.
‘It’s off.’
‘Check it again. It would be just my luck.’
‘Alice! You’ve watched too many films.’
‘Please?’ I said.
Monty reached over again and checked the switch. ‘It’s off, Alice.’ He stroked the tears away from my cheeks and pulled me to him again. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said sadly.
