She opened her mouth a little to probably say something that would make my previous statements sound less idiotic (because she’s good like that), but before she could actually say anything, I leaned forward and I kissed her.

And that was literally, like, the end of gravity.

It was all soft lips and tongues, fruity lip gloss and terror, and eighty million bacteria, and the single most delicious thing I ever experienced in my whole entire life.

When we stopped, I felt like I’d swum the whole length at Tooting Lido underwater: dizzy, boneless, and breathless.

Then we giggled, and I was like: “I’m so sorry I’m so ridiculous.”

Emma was like: “I’ve never met anyone like you, Phoebe, and I wouldn’t change you for the world.”

I was like: Wow. And then I was like: Maybe that’s what it’s all about?

I don’t think I let go of her hand for the rest of the day after that.

Kate knew immediately what had transpired, and I reckon an hour later pretty much everyone else got it, too.

I’m 98 percent sure that Pat opposes homosexuality, because she kept looking at me like: You corrupted the lovely Emma. But in reality, it was Emma who corrupted me with her beautiful eyes and lips, and class, and funniness, but whatever, Pat.

At one point in the afternoon, I looked at my phone, and there was a WhatsApp message from Mum.

She sent a picture of herself and a girl holding a tiny baby.

Mum:

Happy sixteenth. I hope you’re enjoying your party.;)

You share a birthday with this little man who I had the pleasure of welcoming into the world this morning.

He is called Salomao, which means Man of Peace.

I’ll be home on Thursday.

I can’t wait to see you.

I love you, and I’m very proud of you.

Mum xx

Emma was like: “The mother looks like a child,” and Kate was like: “Amelia said the girl’s only fifteen.”

Emma was like: “Imagine having a child at fifteen. In a refugee camp.”

I obviously feel like a massive dick now for having been so horrible about Mum not coming home but wanting to help a pregnant person instead. But if you don’t know the whole story, how are you supposed to behave like you do?

So that was yesterday.

Today it was back to normal life (except it’s the summer holidays), but I have to say, I do feel different. Like there’s a lot of open space ahead, but I don’t hate it.

When Kate got home she was like: “Sit.”