BooksBarbecue
Back When We Were Friends
Chapters (52)
  1. Cover
  2. Praise
  3. Dedication
  4. About the Author
  5. 31
  6. 14
  7. 31
  8. 14
  9. 31
  10. 14
  11. 31
  12. 14
  13. 31
  14. 15
  15. 31
  16. 16
  17. 32
  18. 16
  19. 32
  20. 17
  21. 32
  22. 17
  23. 32
  24. 17
  25. 32
  26. 17
  27. 32
  28. 18
  29. 32
  30. 18
  31. 32
  32. 18
  33. 32
  34. 18
  35. 32
  36. 18
  37. 32
  38. 18
  39. 32
  40. 18
  41. 32
  42. 18
  43. 32
  44. 18
  45. 32
  46. 32
  47. 33
  48. 33
  49. 33
  50. Acknowledgments
  51. Discussion Questions
  52. Booklist

Mike’s face was leery and red, Jade practically forgotten at his side. “A little bird told me that Liamsy here learned how to FLY last night,” he said, getting a giant cheer. I wrinkled my nose in naivety. What were brown wings? It was only later that night, after Jade explained, that I understood the connotations, before she asked me if I’d go get the morning-after pill with her before we got the train home. Everyone chanted “Brown Wings” and made airplane noises, while Jessica laughed at the joke, and leaned over to kiss Liam, before giving the rest of the group a knowing wink. They kept chanting “Brown wings, brown wings, brown wings,” until she held up her hand to stop them. The circle fell silent, bewitched, waiting for the drop. Then my friend smiled her biggest smile, cupped her hands over her mouth, flung her hair past her shoulders and shouted “BOLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOCCCCCKKKKKKKKSSSSSS” into the night.

32

now.

It was the first time I’d seen Jessica cry since that very first house party. I almost stepped backward off the front step, twisting my ankle slightly in shock.

“Sorry...thank you for coming...sorry... Bollocks, I’m a mess.”

I tried to hug her, but she was already walking into her flat barefoot, snuffling into a twisted tissue. Bridget sat in her pajamas, watching The Little Mermaid, a straw leading from her mouth to her milk. She glanced up, her beautiful eyes wide and concerned.

“Mum’s allergic,” she explained. “Her eyes are hurting.”

Jessica let out another small sob and kissed her daughter’s head. “That’s right, honey. Mummy’s got hay fever today. Are you ready to go to bed soon?”

Bridget nodded. “Can I watch the rest tomorrow?”

“Of course, poppet. But Aunty Fern is here now. So bedtime.”

Shock was still making me stiff and useless. “How about I put you to bed?” I managed to get out.

I was expecting the humiliating jolt of a child’s rejection, but Bridget registered me and nodded. “Will you read me a story?”

“Of course. Go get me your favorite ready.”

“Brush your teeth!” Jessica called after her in a tight throat, as Bridget ran down the hallway of their tasteful flat. She shook her head at me, tears streaming down her face. “I’m so sorry, I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Sorry to disturb...”

“Shh.” I hugged her and initially she resisted, staying frigid in my arms, before she collapsed onto my shoulder.

“I don’t know why I’m so upset... I can’t... Bridget is...”

“She’s fine! Let me put her to bed, then we can chat. Mum’s are allowed to get upset sometimes. Christ. My mum cried once a week at least. And look at me. Only one suicide attempt.” Jessica laughed into my back. “Thank you. For being great.”