Dear Past Edie,

Surprise! It’s a very old you, one that I don’t imagine you’d recognise at all. In some ways you’d be pleased to know that I am successful, in that I own my own home, I have a nice boyfriend (not Scott, who was a cheater – DUMP HIM!!!). His name is Miles, he’s clever and knowledgeable about random things, he’s tall and kind and he’s always trying to encourage me to be the best I can be. He’s also got a well-paid job, so I guess he ticks all your boxes. I have a best friend called Layla, who I also work with, which means that I always get to see her.

I also have a very good job and I’m lucky because I’m actually a company director. You’ll be less impressed to hear that the company is Porter’s but at some point you’ll realise that it was never really a choice; it was something that I had to do for Dad. And whilst I never did make it to an actual university (there’s a bumpy ride coming, but you’ll get through it), I managed to get my degree in business studies.

My life might not look anything like your life did back then and you might be disappointed with how I turned out but everyone has to grow up. And comfort zones are called comfort zones for a reason and sometimes it’s nice and comforting to stay in them! Especially if you’ve been through what I have.

Tell Mum that you love her more, don’t answer the phone to her when you’re drunk, and give her extra hugs.

With love, Edie x x

‘Idiot,’ I mutter out loud to myself after I’ve written it. From the corner of my eye, I catch Aaron looking over at me. I was so lost in my own little world that I’d completely forgotten I wasn’t alone. I cough to cover up my outburst and turn back to my PC. Embarrassed, I go to delete the email but accidentally hit send and it disappears before I can stop it.

Layla is right though; on paper my life sounds great, but I can’t shake the feeling that eighteen-year-old me would be disappointed with how my life has turned out.

‘Working late?’ says Aaron, walking past. He comes to a stop at the corner of my desk.

‘I’m just finishing up. How about you?’

‘I’m just printing some bits then heading off. We’re doing a warm-up session for the Impensonators tonight.’

‘Oh, what’s that?’

‘Our improv team. Instead of impersonators, we’re the

Im-pen-sonators because of, you know, working here.’

‘Right, of course.’

‘It’s the annual improv battle competition coming up. Hey, we’re always looking for more team members. You’re welcome to come along tonight, see if it’s your cup of tea.’