Page 3 of Bea's Book Wagon
‘Do you want to come back to mine and we can make a plan? You can figure out what to say to your parents?’
‘Yes, please,’ said Bea, fishing the keys out of her purse. ‘Can we stop off for supplies?’
‘Supplies?’
‘If we’re making a plan, we’ll need the essentials: wine, crisps and chocolate!’
‘Whatever you say.’
‘You have to eat the chocolate and the crisps at the same time, though. And it has to be cheese and onion.’
‘If I have to,’ Jess nodded, helping Bea up from her seat. ‘Maybe we should get you some coffee too?’
‘I knew there was a reason I liked you, Jess Harrison,’ Bea slurred, taking her friend’s arm. ‘You’re one of the good ones.’
‘Oh, don’t worry, I know,’ said Jess, steadying Bea as she stumbled towards the door.
* * *
‘What shall we have next? Bea asked, looking at the selection of bottles lined up on Jess’s kitchen counter. ‘Tequila or vodka?’
‘God, not more tequila, it’s disgusting,’ said Jess, pulling a face.
‘We should eat something,’ said Bea, pulling apart a family-sized bag of crisps and throwing them into a bowl. ‘Line our stomachs.’
‘I think it’s a bit late for that,’ said Jess, lying back on the sofa. ‘The damage is well and truly done.’
‘It can’t hurt,’ laughed Bea, setting the crisps on the coffee table and sitting down. ‘I’ve seen a TikTok that will change your life,’ she continued, opening a slab of Dairy Milk. ‘The trick is to eat it at the same time, like this,’ she said, shoving a couple of squares of chocolate into her mouth along with a handful of crisps. ‘It shouldn’t work, but it does,’ she said through a mouthful.
‘Here, let me,’ said Jess, doing the same. ‘Oh my god, that’s amazing,’ she said, closing her eyes. ‘How have we never done this before?’
‘I know, right?’ Bea nodded, taking another handful.
‘Who came up with this idea?’
‘Who knows? But it’s all over TikTok.’
‘Well, whoever it was, it’s delicious. Good spot, Bea, you’re a genius!’
‘I am, aren’t I? Far too good for the likes of Brendan!’ said Bea, puffing out her chest.
‘Exactly,’ said Jess, raising a glass.
‘You know, he reminded me a bit of Trunchbull…’
‘Trunchbull?’
‘Miss Trunchbull? From Matilda?’ said Bea, nudging her friend gently. ‘The awful headmistress, remember?’ Bea loved comparing people to characters from the stories she adored, especially the horrible ones.
‘Ah, yeah! God, he sounded awful!’ said Jess.
‘I know, I should have quit ages ago…’ said Bea, thinking about how much Jess reminded her of Amy March from Little Women: artistic and kind, sassy and fiercely loyal. Yes, Jess was definitely an Amy through and through.
‘Well, you’ve done it now, that’s the main thing.’
‘I have, haven’t I? It feels…’ Bea paused, trying to find the right word, ‘liberating.’
‘God, I wish I’d been there. I’d have loved to have seen the look on his face.’
