Page 1 of Try Hard
Chapter One
Fia
There really was nothing like trying to hide your nipple piercings from your parents. But, here I was, subtly running a hand down my own chest as I stood in my parents’ kitchen, hoping the small bars weren’t standing out through layers of fabric. Perhaps your mid-to-late thirties was a time to stop worrying about your parents telling you off for what you did to your body. If you were old enough to get your nipples pierced, weren’t you old enough to stop worrying about your parents’ judgment? Not yet. Maybe next year.
Thankfully, though, the late March weather was being oddly cooperative, at least when it came to wearing layers. Mum hadn’t stopped complaining about how cold it was and how much it was ruining the arrival of her flowers. Apparently, this time last year, they’d been basking in the backyard. I couldn’t speak to that. This time last year, I hadn’t even been atmyhome—and, if I had, I still might not be able to weigh in. There tended to be a difference in weather between London and Eddlesworth, the cute town I’d grown up in and where my parents still lived.But, as it so happened, I’d been in Bali, where the weather haddefinitelybeen different.
Ironic, really, that I’d been in Bali a year ago given that it was Bali that had brought me home this year. Well, not exactly, but it was still relevant. What had actually brought me home was a friend from secondary school’s wedding. She just happened to be going to Bali on her honeymoon. Apparently, she’d read my review.
When I’d found Kimberley Huston’s voicemail message on my phone—after refraining from answering seven of her calls because I didn’t know her number and she refused to leave a message or text to let me know who it was—I’d honestly been surprised. Sure, our parents still lived in the same town, but they didn’t see each other, and the two of us hadn’t spoken since we’d been in our first year at university. We’d tried staying in touch, at least at first, but life and classes and forming new friendships had taken over, and we’d drifted apart, as people tended to at that age.
But, Kim had moved back home, gotten a job, fallen in love with someone we’d been at school with, and wanted all her former friends at her wedding.
I wasn’t entirely sure why I’d agreed. She’d just done such a good job explaining why she wanted me there that it had made sense and I’d agreed. Now, though, I was at home, a couple of weeks away from the wedding and it felt odd. We’d spoken a little in the interim but not enough that attending her wedding felt like something I should be doing.
She’d assured me I’d know several other people there, and I’d been due a holiday from work—something that inevitably amused people. When your job was essentially taking holidays, having a holidayfromit puzzled people. But, hey, time off was mandatory, and someone had to be the one to travel the worldreviewing destinations and hotels. Itwassuch a tough job, after all.
My dad waved a hand in front of my face. “Hello in there,” he said with a chuckle. “Have we lost you?”
“Sorry,” I said, inexplicably looking down at my frontagainto check nothing was showing through a bra, two shirts, and a cable knit jumper. “Just thinking about Kim’s wedding.”
“Ah, of course. Coming up quick now.”
“Yeah. Still feels weird to be going.”
“But we both know you’re not going to pull out now.”
I laughed. “We do know that.”
“You’re a good friend,” my mum said, joining us in the kitchen and pressing a quick kiss to the back of my head. “And we’re glad to have you for a couple of weeks.”
I shot her a look. “Dad’s just happy to have someone to go plane watching with him.”
He scoffed as we both laughed. “Just you wait, missy. You’re about to see the whole crew of us. I’ve not been aching for plane watching friends.”
Mum nodded. “That is true, actually. Quite a group of them out there. Then, with the whole streaming it online thing…”
“So many people are interested. They watch from all over the world.”
I smiled. “Well, plane enthusiasts are the same the world over.”
Mum nudged me. “He talks about you sometimes, you know?”
“On the stream?” I frowned, looking between them.
“Oh, yes. Loves talking about where you’re jetting off to.”
“And some of the viewers look up which planes you’ve been on and everything.” He leaned in to kiss Mum. “Always a big hit when you’ve been on a double-decker.”
I nodded. “I can only imagine.”
Mum shot me a look like she, at least, knew I was being a little facetious. “Now,” she said, gripping Dad’s lapels, “you’ve got lots of tea, some nice, hot soup, and you’ve got your hand warmers?”
“Yes.” He looked at me. “And you?”
I pulled an unactivated packet from each of my pockets. “All stocked.”
“Fantastic. Let’s get on the road, then.”
