Page 48 of Such a Good Couple
Maggie swept into the bathroom with the dress and shut the door. It was perturbing – Annie’d seen Maggie’s boobs countless times in the last two decades, so why was she hiding?
‘Maggie?’ Annie called through the door. ‘Is everything alright?’
‘Yeah.’ Maggie sounded distracted. She pulled the door open a crack to peer at Annie while she pulled on the dress. ‘Why?’
Annie hesitated.She sounds totally normal.She didn’t want to confront Maggie and risk her getting defensive. Though given Maggie’s history, saying nothing could be riskier.
‘I just …’ Annie tucked her hair behind her ears to have something to do with her hands. ‘It’s just that … the other night in the Canteen place. You were okay … yeah?’
‘Oh!’ Maggie blinked. ‘Oh God.That. I wasn’t feeling too good after the rich food. My stomach was a bit upset. I was sick in the jacks, bit mortifying.’ She paused, holding Annie’s gaze. ‘You thought … I was …? Oh my God. Seriously?’
Annie pressed her lips together. At least Maggie sounded more surprised than annoyed or defensive.
‘I was just a bit concerned. I know things are stressy with you right now. Your life …’ Annie gestured vaguely, slightly stumped at how to sum up in words the confluence of mind-fuckery Maggie had to navigate while just being fameadjacent.
Maggie stepped forward to hug Annie and Annie felt reassured that her friend wasn’t having a big reaction to the conversation. Maggie pulled back to look at Annie, her eyes soft.
‘Annie, you’re so good to be worrying about me, but I’m good. I seriously am. I mean, obviously, I’m not “good” about everything. Stuff’s hard, the A-list world is still not the easiest place to be in, even though it’s been years at this stage. But I would never go back to the old ways. I swear. I couldn’t do that to the girls. I don’t want to go all “as a mother” as if mothers have more at stake or more empathy or something. You know I hate that crap. But having the twins … I feel like it did cement my recovery. I’m lucky too, having Betty cook three meals a day for me – it’s perfect for keeping me nourished.’
Annie nodded. She hadn’t considered that Betty’s presence added stability; that was reassuring. ‘And you’re still seeing a therapist?’
‘Of course.’ Maggie grinned. ‘I’d say I’m a lifer on that front.Britney will be able to retire off of my mad head.’ Maggie stepped out of their embrace and adjusted her neckline.
‘I thought yourPTwas Britney?’
‘Oh, they’reallBritney in LA.’ Maggie laughed.
‘Hello, slags.’ Clara’s voice rang out from the door. ‘I found the Booze Boy!’
Annie turned around to find Clara leading a nervy-looking young guy in a white shirt and black trousers. He was carrying a tray heaving with receptacles of various types from high balls to martini glasses. To Annie, the colourful drinks gleamed like jewels and, while another drunken night on the awkward holiday from hell seemed like a disaster waiting to happen, getting pissed was far too tempting. At least Maggie was one thing she could stop ruminating on. Annie surveyed the Booze Boy’s portable bar and picked up what looked to be a G&T.
‘I’ll do a martini.’ Clara plucked one from the tray and twirled away into the bedroom. ‘Maggie! You are such a ride. Love the dress.’
Maggie rolled her eyes at Clara. ‘Yeah, right.’ To the Booze Boy she added, ‘Prosecco for me, please.’
‘Of course.’ He hurried forward and Maggie took her drink, immediately downing half before recoiling slightly from too much fizz.
She’s nervous about the party,Annie observed, sipping her own drink.
‘Has anyone arrived yet?’ Maggie asked him.
‘No ma’am, not yet.’
‘Cool.’ Maggie finished the rest of her glass, catching some rogue bubbles with her cupped hand, then swapped it out for another full one. ‘You head down. We’ll be right there.’
‘Take it easy, Maggie.’ Clara giggled as the door shut behind the boy. ‘Or maybe one of us is always destined to be a messy bitch on this holiday? Though given that you’re the only one stillspeaking to your partner …’ She trailed off suddenly, looking awkward, and Annie cringed inwardly. From what they’d seen, Fionn and Maggie had really only exchanged a smattering of words since his arrival.
Clara, swiftly switching tack, made her way over to Maggie. ‘This dress is insane. You look amazing.’ She ducked behind Maggie and peeked at the label. ‘Oh, it’s The Row, ofcourse. It’s divine. This dress is probably more than my mortgage this month.’
This seemed to make Maggie self-conscious. She turned briskly and tucked the label back in. ‘You don’t have to make everything about my money, Clara,’ she said.
Clara narrowed her eyes and Annie felt a surge of panic.Don’t say anything, she silently tried to plead with Clara.
Clara took another sip of her martini and evidently decided to choose violence. ‘To be fair, Maggie, it’s kind of Fionn’s money.’
‘Why are you being so fucking mean tome, Clara?’ Maggie shot back. ‘Money doesn’t mean my life is perfect. You’re taking your shitty mood out on me. It’s notmyfault thatyou’vemessed up with your husband.’
‘At least my husband has made an appearance on this holiday.’
