Felicity’s mother Carol was in the kitchen, and the usual smell of nicotine and spilled alcohol wafted up Jasmine’s nose as she entered the house. Felicity led Jasmine up to her room where she had been watching Friends relentlessly while sneaking sips of a bottle of cheap rum. She had been drinking for a while by the time Jasmine got there. They settled in and watched together. Felicity put her head on Jasmine’s shoulder, the smell of rum emanating from her, her once full bottle now holding only two inches of the clear off-brand liquid.

‘You never come over. To what do I owe the pleasure?’

‘Just missed you. That’s all.’

‘What’s going on with you? You’ve been pretty evasive lately.’

‘Nice word.’

‘Are you still upset with me about the other night? I was pretty blasted. I’m sorry. I think I knew you liked him. I don’t mean to do things like that, Jazz, I just get a bit jealous of everything you’ve got. I wish I was more like you, you’re my hero.’

‘Don’t be daft. It’s OK.’

‘Did he say anything about me?’

‘No, sorry,’ Jasmine said.

‘You haven’t ever talked to me about Mr Morrell. You can tell me the truth, you know,’ Felicity slurred. Jasmine had never seen her so drunk before.

‘I don’t want to talk about him.’

‘Did you love him, Jazz?’

‘What, no! Don’t be ridiculous.’

‘You know, what’s funny about you, Jazz, is that you don’t even know what you’ve got. I have to work so hard to get a fraction of the attention you do. I think I’m in love with Tim. I can’t stop thinking about him.’

‘You’re drunk,’ Jasmine said dismissively.

‘You don’t even know how beautiful you are. Everyone could see that Mr Morrell had a thing for you, it didn’t just come out of nowhere. You are so oblivious to the way boys look at you.’

‘You’re being silly now.’

‘You don’t see it, but I see it. You’re like, magical, or something. I wish I had your life.’

‘I have to tell you something’ – Jasmine knew it was now or never – ‘about me and Tim.’

‘When?’

‘Last weekend, after you left.’

Felicity shrugged as though it was inevitable. ‘Was he using me to try and make you jealous? That’s a first.’

‘I don’t know. I don’t think he’s like other guys. He’s not normal. I can’t even begin to guess why he kissed either one of us. I wish I could go back and change what happened. I feel like such an idiot for falling for it.’

‘Why would you feel like an idiot? Did you sleep with him?’

‘Promise you won’t tell anyone.’

‘Are you OK? I thought you were waiting for Mr Right.’