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

As he three-point turned out of the cul-de-sac, I waited for the lecture on the perils of alcohol. Or strict instructions never to see Jessica again. I shifted in the passenger seat, impatient for the axe to fall. But Dad started laughing.

“What’s so funny?”

He shook his head. “Sorry. It’s just so...delightfully normal.”

“What is?”

“Picking up my drunk teenage daughter and her even drunker friend.” He laughed again.

“You’re not angry?”

We pulled onto our road, slowed down when our house came into view. The big detached home, surrounded by a garden that I’d never really thought about until Jessica’s shame about how it compared to her own. “I’m not overjoyed,” he said. “But, you rang me straightaway, you made sure your friend was safe. It could’ve been worse. And, as I said, it’s just...a bit of a novelty...you doing something most teenagers do that make parents worry, rather than...”

...trying to kill myself. We finished his sentence in silence in our own heads.

“Anything to make you proud, Dad.”

“Well, I mean, you’re clearly grounded for the rest of the weekend!”

“Dad!”

“Let me talk to your mother.”

We parked up and I saw Mum peer at us from the sitting-room window. I wasn’t sure what further verdict Dad was going to pass. “Interesting friend you have there,” he said, as he found his keys for the front door.

31

now.

Jessica: Well that was an interesting evening. In other news, I’m dead.

Fern: Oh my God. My head. I hate you.

Jessica: Fern, I have a child to look after with this hangover.

Why are children so loud?

And demanding? And evil?

Please do not tell my former husband I refer to our child as evil. The divorce hasn’t gone through yet.

Fern: I love how you call him your “Former Husband.” Got some Prince-esque vibes.

Jessica: My nemesis, formally known as hubby

Fern: I mean, if you were referring to him as “hubby” I kind of see how it went wrong.

Jessica: Finally, I understand my divorce!

Seriously though, is your hangover really bad???

Fern: I woke up on the sofa with a bin next to me.

I didn’t put the bin there

Jessica: Oh my God

This is hilarious but also terrible.

If you ever recover from your hangover, how do you feel about coming down someday soon? Meeting Bridget? Don’t worry if it’s too much of a mission

Fern: Oh, wow. It would be great to meet her. I’ll look at my diary. I WFH on Fridays so may be able to bunk off one afternoon

Jessica: BRILLIANT. I am free basically every Friday. Can’t wait for you to come down. Xxxx