Alex’s parents are super nice, too. I didn’t speak to them at Melanie’s funeral, because they didn’t come to the party bit at the sailing club. They got me flowers, and Alex baked my birthday cake. It had black icing on it and a white skull wearing a pink ribbon. But the best thing was that when we cut it, the inside was rainbow layers. I was like: “This must have taken you ages.” And Alex was like: “Yes. Three days.”

Three days.

He made me something that took him three days.

I almost didn’t want to eat it, but it was proper delicious.

Pat was like: “Alex, you are a magician,” which is true.

The party turned out to be a barbecue after all, because Kate had bought disposable grills and put them just outside the back door. Bill took charge of the grilling, and we could hear him and Pat bickering outside for literally an hour. For the rest of the day, if he wasn’t talking about sausages, he was talking about Mowgli. What have we done by giving him that cat? He’s now an online sensation. Eight hundred and sixty-three followers to date. And he’s got a sponsor for his cat food!

After everyone had eaten, Kate was like: “Time to open your presents. Mine first.”

She gave me a little box, and I already knew it was jewelry. I opened it, and inside was a silver chain with a tiny Star of David pendant. I think I must have looked at it for, like, ten minutes. In the end, Kate was like: “You do know what that is, don’t you?” and I was like: “Obviously.” Kate was like: “You like it?” But I didn’t even know what to say, because I literally loved it so much. Kate helped me put it on, kissed my head, and whispered: “I love you,” and Bill was like: “Mazel tov,” and everyone went: “Happy birthday, Phoebe.”

Polly and Tristan got me cinema vouchers, and Polly’s card said Happy New Year. LOL.

Miriam got me a book about inspiring women who have changed history. Honestly, half a year ago she probably would have given me fake eyelashes or something equally as tedious, but this is actually a really good gift.

Bill, Pat, and James got me a Starbucks gift card and a poetry book (clearly James’s idea).

When Emma gave me her present, I still hadn’t spoken to her, and it was all a bit awkward.

I was like: “Thank you,” and went to open the card, but Emma was like: “Maybe the card is for later. Open the present first.”

I tried to be all careful and not destroy the gorgeous wrapping, but everyone was like: “Come on!”

It was a T-shirt from Topshop with a picture of a space shuttle on the back and the NASA logo on the front.