Scott checks his phone. A message has come in: “HNY. Sorry to keep pressing, but there’s only a few weeks left. Have you given it any more thought?”
Scott’s hand clamps hard around the protective case of his phone and his eyes clench. Even on New Year’s Eve, there’s noescape from Lorraine's mission. He chances one last look before putting his phone away for the night.
There’s no response from Heather.
JANUARY
FRESHMAN PARENTS' ONLINE FORUM: ST ANDREWS UNIVERSITY
Happy New Year Everyone! Hope it brings happiness, health and a great new term at St A’s!
HNY all!
HNY!
Happy New Year.
Chapter 20
HEATHER
It’stwointheafternoon by the time Heather has got the young people out of bed, showered, fed and rehydrated, but she’s not about to let hangovers affect her New Year’s tradition.
She guides them to the dining room table and gestures for them to sit. ‘Okay. So, I’ve given you all four Post-Its. On the first one, you need to write down what you’re proud of each person for achieving this year,’ she says.
She quietly gathers the dirty plates from their celebratory brunch whilst the teenagers take a pen and Post-It pad from the centre of the table and busy themselves with their thoughts.
‘Now, write three things you wish for the other person for next year,’ she says once the dishwasher is loaded, and the kitchen is back into a reasonable semblance of order.
Again, the teenagers bow their heads and write industriously, looking up occasionally to stare into space, or share a smile with their friend.
Sharing afterwards is enlightening.
‘I’m super proud of you for coming out last term,’ Georgia tells Trey.
‘Me too, me too. I had that one!’ shouts Brianna excitedly, sticking the Post-It on her palm and thrusting it towards Trey’s face. Trey blushes a little and beams.
‘Aw, Trey. Good for you. That’s great,’ Heather says.
‘You guys have done brilliantly getting your second-year accommodation sorted,’ Trey says when it’s his turn.
The two girls turn towards each other and exchange a high ten.
‘Yay to us,’ Brianna says.
‘Erm,’ Heather interjects, not wishing to dampen the celebration. ‘What’s this?’
‘It’s great,’ Brianna says, ‘central. Lots of space. Within Georgia’s budget. We need to get the deposit together, but that should be no problem.’
‘Deposit?’ Heather asks.
