Page 32 of The Good Part
Trying to distract myself from these confusing thoughts, I turn to my bedside table. Two rings sit in a silver, leaf-shaped dish. They are both gold, one with a band of tiny diamonds all the way around, and the other a simple diamond solitaire. Picking them up, I admire how tasteful they are. I slip them onto my ring finger – they fit. But then an old superstition niggles – you should never wear someone else’s wedding ring. Besides, it feels wrong, these weren’t given to me. I quickly take them off and banish them to the bedside drawer, picking up my phone instead.
There’s a new message from Michael Green.
Hope the team bonding went well, sorry I had to slip away early. I’ve put a meeting in your diary for Monday to discuss the Gary/Kydz Network email. I know you’re confident we’re doing the right thing, but if I’m honest, I’ve been feeling a bit sick about it all week. M
Whatever this email from Gary is about, it sounds important. I’m going to have to come clean with my colleagues. But the thought of telling them deflates me. I loved being at work on Friday, seeing what Future Me had built. Unlike the role of wife and mother, being a TV producer is not such a stretch for me to imagine. Iwantto be Queen Badger, producer extraordinaire. As soon as my colleagues know the truth, they will know I don’t belong.
Despondently, I scroll through various WhatsApp chats until I come across one that I recognise: Fairview Forever. After seeing Emily’s transformation, I’m nervous about discovering how much my school friends might have changed. Cautiously, I scan through recent messages. Faye sent something a few days ago, recommending a long-sleeved swimsuit for wild swimming. Before that, there was a conversation I was involved in, about whether it was acceptable for Roisin to be invited to her ex, Paul’s, wedding. Paul and Roisin broke up?Though it’s currently five in the morning I tap out a message to the group. I know Sam said to wait, that he would catch me up on everyone in the morning, but the lure of being less alone is too strong.
Lucy
Is anyone awake? Having a strange couple of days. Could do with seeing you all.
Faye
Of course. Barney DOES NOT SLEEP.
Who’s Barney? Her child? The idea of Faye doing all this nappy-changing, banana goo, parenting stuff makes me smile. With her relaxed, earth mother vibe, she’d be so great at it.
Roisin is typing.
Roisin
I’m awake. In LA. Work trip. Drunk. Gawwllaladshifuhf.
The message is so reassuringly Roisin, it feels like a hug through the phone from my old life.
Faye
Why strange few days? How did your pitch go for the bear show? Barney smashed my phone screen again so I’m catching up on messages.
I don’t plan on telling them what’s happened by text at five in the morning, it’s just nice to feel their voices through the phone.
Lucy
Pitch went well thanks. Nothing major, just need to see you all. Any chance you could come to my place one night this week?
Roisin
Sounds cryptic. Last time I called a mysterious group meet it was to tell you I was getting divorced. Tell me it’s not that, Luce?
Lucy
No! Nothing like that. Just need to see you all.
Roisin
I’m in LA until next weekend I’m afraid. Legal conference, blah blah.
Faye
Not blah blah – you’re the keynote speaker! I miss work, I miss travel, I miss wearing non-elasticated trousers.
So many questions, none of which I can ask.
Faye
I can come over whenever – if you don’t mind me bringing the sprog. Alex is away on an abseiling weekend. I know. Who the hell did I marry?
