‘You’ve been a star, though,’ I added. ‘Honestly, if I had to help her, it would be a disaster . . . Hazel?’
Hazel had fallen asleep. I quietly crept out with a whispered goodbye to Kevin, making a mental note to ask Hazel to save me some of those painkillers. She can be Lucy’s wedding planner and also my dealer. It’s not a huge ask.
Thursday October 5th
‘Sri Lanka. Two whole weeks of sun, beaches and whatever the hell else they do over there. It’s our wedding gift from Kyle’s parents – much fancier than the honeymoon in Tenerife we were budgeting for.’
I casually started Googling ‘visit Sri Lanka’. ‘Bloody hell, Lucy, it looks gorgeous. Ooh, you can go on a proper safari. I’ve always wanted to do that – not like the muddy, bleak safari park we took Molly to last year. Every animal looked utterly depressed that it had ended up in Scotland – even the native ones.’
She opened the link I’d emailed and beamed. ‘This is going to be amazing. However, I now need to tell Frank that I’m taking two weeks off. He’s going to kill my buzz, isn’t he?’
‘Of course he will,’ I replied. ‘But you can handle him. Or you could just change the work calendar and when he notices, insist he already approved it. Then cry until he gives up.’
She laughed. ‘Oh, that’s much more amusing. Imma do that.’
Tuesday October 10th
I’ve hardly seen Hazel since she had her tonsils out but she texted me today, informing me that she was feeling much better, mainly thanks to my ice cream.
When I arrived at work, Kelly was in a foul mood as she hadn’t been successful in her application to become Queen of Classified Advertising or whatever the job role was.
‘They don’t even tell you why,’ she snarled, slamming her desk drawer shut. ‘Sexism, I’d imagine.’
‘But Dorothy was our boss for years,’ Brian informed her, a grin appearing on his face. Lucy threw him a look that could have killed. A look that saidDon’t be THAT fucking guy. She’s upset. Just leave it.He seemed to get the message, leaving at once to make coffee.
‘Between us,’ Lucy began, walking over to Kelly’s desk, ‘ – and you didn’t hear this from me – there’s talk of budget cuts again and you know how Scotland and Manchester always get hit first. I think there’s just no extra money right now; in fact, I’m almost certain.’
This seemed to perk Kelly up a little. ‘Really? Yes, that would make more sense. Thanks, Lucy.’
From:Phoebe Henderson
To:Lucy Jacobs
Subject: That was nice
Nice job on the well-meaning bullshit. You did a good thing and Jesus will reward you.
From:Lucy Jacobs
To:Phoebe Henderson
Subject: Re: That was nice
It wasn’t bullshit – well, not the budget-cut stuff. I saw a memo on the system. Chances of us getting any new staff, pay rises and even bonuses are slim.
HAPPY TUESDAY!
Oh brilliant. Just brilliant.
Friday October 13th
Right, the schools are off on holiday again. Who the fuck do I complain to? Oliver has taken some time off to watch Molly and we’ve paid Maggie a big wad of cash to have her on the days where we both have to work. Sometimes I think having a job where I work from home would be ideal, but in reality Molly would constantly interrupt me, I’d work stupid hours and spend most of them in my dressing gown.
To make matters worse, my parents will be here next Thursday and I’ll have to entertain them so they don’t think I’m a terrible, ungrateful child.
Monday October 16th
From:Lucy Jacobs
