Part 27 (2/2)
I'm just reaching for Pretty Woman when the phone rings.
”h.e.l.lo?” I say, picking up.
”h.e.l.lo, Bex?” comes a familiar high-pitched voice. ”It's me.”
”Suze!” I feel a huge rush of joy. ”Oh my G.o.d! Hi! How are you?”
”Oh, I'm fine! Are you OK?”
”I'm fine! I'm fine!”
Suddenly with all my heart I wish Suze were here. Like the old days in Fulham. I miss her so much. So much.
”So, how was the spa with Lulu?” I ask, trying to sound casual.
”It was . . . fine,” she says after a pause. ”You know. Kind of . . . a bit different . . . but fun!”
”Good!”
There's an awkward silence.
”And . . . and I was wondering how it's all going with your new sister,” Suze says hesitantly. ”Are you . . . are you really good friends?”
I can't admit the truth to Suze. I just can't admit the whole thing's been a failure. That she goes on spa trips with her new friend, but I can't even manage one evening with my own sister.
”It's great!” I say. ”Couldn't be better! We're getting on so well!”
”Really?” says Suze, sounding a bit crushed.
”Absolutely! In fact, we're having a girls' night in together right now! Watching movies . . . having a laugh . . . just hanging out. You know!”
”What are you watching?” says Suze at once.
”Er . . .” I look at the blank TV screen. ”Pretty Woman.”
”I love Pretty Woman,” Suze says longingly. ”The scene in the shop!”
”I know! That is just the best scene ever!”
”And the end, when Richard Gere climbs up!” Her voice is tumbling out with enthusiasm. ”Oh G.o.d, I want to watch it right now!”
”Me too!” I say without thinking. ”I mean . . . I want to watch the . . . er . . . rest of it.”
”Oh,” Suze says in a different voice. ”I must be interrupting you. Sorry.”
”No!” I say quickly. ”I mean, it doesn't matter-”
”I'll go. You must want to get back to your sister. It sounds like you're having an amazing time.” Her voice is wistful. ”You two must have so much to talk about.”
”Yes,” I say, looking round the empty room. ”Yes, we . . . we certainly do!”
”Well . . . I'll see you sometime,” she says. ”Bye, Bex.”
”Bye!” I say, my throat suddenly thick.
Wait! I want to cry out. Don't go!
But instead I put down the receiver and stare into s.p.a.ce. At the other end of the flat I can hear Luke, Gary, and Jess all laughing about something. They've bonded with her great. It's just me who hasn't.
And I had such huge hopes. I was so excited about having a sister. But I've done everything I can think of, and it's all failed. Jess and I are never going to be friends. Not in a million years.
WEST c.u.mBRIA BANK.
45 STERNDALE STREET.
COGGENTHWAITE.
c.u.mBRIA.
Ms Jessica Bertram 12 Hill Rise Scully c.u.mbria CA19 1BD16 May 2003Dear Ms Bertram:Thank you for your letter.Having gone through your accounts in great detail I can only concur that there is a discrepancy of 73 pence.I am deeply sorry for this error by the bank and have credited your savings account by this amount, back-dated three months. I have also, as you request, added the missing interest.May I take this opportunity to commend you yet again on your meticulous and thoughtful approach to your finances.On a personal note, I look forward to seeing you at the upcoming Prudent Savers' Group cheese and wine evening, at which our head of personal accounts will be giving the keynote address ”Retightening the Purse Strings.”Yours sincerely,Howard Shawcross Customer Account Manager
Fourteen.
I WAKE UP the next morning with a splitting headache, which could have something to do with the fact that I polished off an entire bottle of champagne myself last night, plus one and a half trays of chocolates. Meanwhile, Jess, Luke, and Gary spent hours around the computer. Even when I took them in some pizza, they barely looked up. So I just watched the whole of Pretty Woman and then half of Four Weddings and a Funeral, before going to bed on my own.
As I blearily put on a dressing gown, Luke is already showered and dressed in the ”casual weekend” clothes he wears when he's actually going to spend the whole time in the office.
”What time did you finish last night?” I ask, my throat all hoa.r.s.e and croaky.
”Not till late.” Luke shakes his head. ”Once we started discussing it, we couldn't stop. Jess had a lot of ideas.”
”Right!” I try to sound enthusiastic.
”You know, I take it back about her,” he adds, tying up his shoelaces. ”Your sister's got a lot going for her. She couldn't have been more helpful last night. She certainly knows her way around a computer!”
”Really?”
”Oh yes. She's great!” He stands up and gives me a kiss. ”You were right. I'm very glad you invited her for the weekend.”
”Me too!” I say, forcing a bright smile. ”We're all having so much fun!”
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