Page 89 of The Reboot
‘Well, there’s something else in the post for you. I hope it arrives in time. But at least you have something to open today either way.’
‘Thanks, Mum. Tell Nora thanks and give her my love.’
‘She’s right here. I’ll just put you on to her.’
‘Hi, Ella. Happy birthday!’
Nora was buzzing about their travels, babbling away about how beautiful Hanoi was and the gorgeous lunch they’d just had by the lake. It was lovely to hear them both so happy. After they’d chatted for a while, Ella had to get up and get ready for work, while her mother and Nora were catching a bus to Halong Bay.
When she hung up, Ella went to the wardrobe and took out the gift-wrapped parcels. She settled herself against the headboard and opened the cards first, then unwrapped her presents. She opened her mother’s first. A note on top said ‘I bought this for you before I left as I knew I’d miss your birthday, so it may need an iron. Hope it still fits!’ Beneath the layers of pink tissue paper, Ella found a floral-print Hobbs dress that she’d admired on her last shopping trip with her mother. She’d tried it on, and loved how it looked and felt, but had decided she couldn’t justify spending money on it when she had no occasion to wear it.
Tears stung her eyes as she read the little card her mother had put inside that said simply ‘Dress up! Go out! Have fun!’ Ella swatted at her eyes with the back of her hand, then slowly unwrapped Nora’s present, stretching out the moment. She smiled as she unwrapped a pretty pair of chunky wedge sandals from Camper in pale pink that would go perfectly with the dress and also looked comfortable. Nora knew she didn’t do heels. It was a pity she didn’t have anywhere to go tonight, but she could dress up next week when she went out with Hazel. She couldn’t wait to try the dress on again, but there was no time now. She’d dawdled long enough.
As she got out of bed, she heard Roly going out for his run. She contemplated taking her birthday cards down to the kitchen and leaving them casually lying around for him to see, but decided against it. Instead she lined them up on her chest of drawers before heading for the bathroom.
When she’d showered, she ate a solitary breakfast scrolling through her Facebook and Instagram feed. At least her online friends knew it was her birthday, and she scrolled through the messages posted on her wall as she shovelled corn flakes into her mouth. She was going to miss her mother and Nora today. They always made a fuss of her birthdays. Maybe she should have taken the day off and done something nice and self-indulgent just for herself. But it was too late to change her mind now.
‘Morning, Ella!’ Kerry greeted her brightly as she walked into the office. ‘Happy Birthday!’
‘Oh! Thanks.’ Ella frowned, confused. How did Kerry know? But as she pushed through the inner door and saw her desk decorated with balloons and a big birthday banner, she got her answer. How could Kerrynotknow? Jake and Dylan appeared as she sat down, both grinning and looking very pleased with themselves.
‘Happy Birthday!’ they chorused.
‘Thanks.’ Ella gulped, touched. ‘This is … a surprise.’
‘I’m sure you have plans later,’ Jake said, perching on the edge of her desk. ‘But you can stay for a quick drink after work?’
‘Oh yes please, that would be lovely.’ She wished she could tell them she didn’t have any plans later, and she could drink with them for as long as they liked, but it would sound too pathetic. At least she’d have a bit of a celebration. It was more than she’d expected for today, and she was glad she hadn’t taken the day off to mope around on her own, ‘treating herself’.
At eleven, Kerry came in with a cake and candles. Everyone gathered around her desk and sang ‘Happy Birthday’, and Jake presented her with a card signed by all of them. Then they cut the cake – chocolate fudge, her favourite – and handed around slices. At lunchtime, they ordered pizza in her honour, and everyone played Pictionary in the break room, which was hilarious because neither Jake nor Dylan could draw, but they were so uncannily in sync they could practically read each other’s minds and won with the most indecipherable sketches. Ella partnered with Kerry and did abysmally, but it was good fun. At five, they all congregated in the meeting room and drank champagne. It had turned out to be a really nice birthday after all, Ella thought as she made her way home, slightly squiffy. She’d had a lovely day, and she was content now to spend a quiet night in. She’d try on her new dress, and maybe have a long, relaxing bath.
‘Happy Birthday!’ Roly greeted her as soon as she walked into the kitchen.
‘Oh! Thanks. How did you know?’
‘Facebook told me – since you didn’t bother to. That arrived for you this morning.’ He nodded to a large padded envelope on the table. She already knew it would be from her mother, even before she saw her handwriting or the Thai stamps. She threw off her jacket, then tore open the envelope. Inside there were several smaller packages gift-wrapped in colourful paper, along with a couple of postcards with some snippets of travel news. The presents were wrapped in a strangely textured paper, which Nora informed her in her postcard was made from elephant dung.
‘Ew!’ Roly said, reading over her shoulder. She opened the parcels one after another. There was a pair of silver earrings, a green silk shawl, vividly coloured scented soaps in the shape of lotus flowers, a carved wooden elephant and a little embroidered bag.
‘Nice haul,’ Roly said.
‘I also got a new dress and shoes that my mum and Nora left before they went away.’
‘Well, put them on because I’m taking you out.’
‘You are?’ Her heart skipped.
‘Unless you have plans?’
‘No, no plans. I’d love to go out.’
‘Great! I booked that new Mexican place on Camden Street for eight.’
‘Oh, brilliant! I’ve been wanting to try that, but it’s not exactly diet-friendly.’
‘Well, all bets are off for your birthday, so now’s our chance.’
‘Absolutely!’
