I’m still singing as I dry myself off, admiring my now-hairless bum in the mirror.
I’m feeling really positive for the first time in months!
A big night out was just what I needed and I actually – surprisingly – had a great time with Amanda, who thankfully left her brother at home in the end. We drank like we were teens, snogged some random men, and my Apple watch says I closed all my exercise rings – thank you, dancing all night in a club!
And most importantly, I’ve come out of it feeling clear-headed and ready for my future. I have a plan. Goals.
Out in the hallway, I can hear Jemma shouting at Harry to get out of the bathroom. He’s clearly hogging it – he can be quite selfish at times.
What time did he leave us last night? I know it was super early. That guy cannot hold his booze at all. Although, to be fair, Amanda and I were pouring shots down his throatfor a lot of the evening. I think she quite fancies him actually, which is so weird! But maybe it could be good. He could distract her from her awful ex-boyfriend. Amanda is a laugh, but she needs to learn how to push down some of her feelings. They’re all so surface level! I tried to ply her with drinks to get her to shut up about the ex, which worked for a while. Until she got a few more drinks in her, and then she was mostly just crying about him again.
But still, it’ll be nice to have a friend outside of the house. Outside of Jemma’s universe. I think it’ll make things easier between me and my sister. Sometimes I think she’s pissed off that I get on so well with Salma and Harry. Like, for example, she’s mostly been refusing to watchBook Boyfriendwith us, but still acts like she’s being left out when we all gather together for it on a Sunday night. It makes no sense! It’s the fifth episode tonight and I hope she’ll at least sit with us for it, even if she pointedly reads throughout the whole thing. Maybe I could even invite Amanda over for our weeklyBook Boyfriendviewing sessions.
Out in the hallway, Jemma is shouting again. But this morning’s histrionics aside, she seems happier lately. Nothing to do with me of course, and all to do with that incessant flow of lurve letters she and this ‘E’ guy are exchanging. She showed me a couple of them and, I dunno, they’re kinda… boring? Like, I don’t get this guyat all. Who wants to chat about a caterpillar that much?! And then he seemed to be listing famous women I’ve never heard of that he fancied?! Who the hell is Becky Sharp?! Was she on the latest seriesofLove Is Blind? But whatever, Jem seems super smiley and more relaxed, which is making me happy.
I really hope it doesn’t end up being a disaster.
‘Hey, Clara, are you in there?’ Harry’s croaky voice floats through the door and I call for him to come on in. He does so feebly, shuffling across the threshold with effort.
‘I’ve been sick,’ he declares with something like pride.
‘Well done!’ I tell him warmly, and he responds with a weak smile. ‘Wasn’t last night fun?’ I continue happily. ‘Amanda’s great, isn’t she?’
He nods and I gesture for him to take a seat.
‘Do you have my wallet?’ he asks, collapsing onto my duvet. ‘I can’t find it.’
‘Er, yeah,’ I admit sheepishly. ‘You gave it to us as I put you in your Uber. You told us to have some drinks on you.’
I mean, technically he saidonedrink, but he probably doesn’t remember either way. And he totally owed us after I tracked his car all the way home to make sure he was back safe. I fish around on the floor for last night’s handbag and hand over the black wallet.
‘Thank goodness,’ he mutters, then looks up at me, puffy eyes narrowed. ‘Honestly, though, Clara, how the hell are you so perky this morning?’
I shrug. ‘A-plus liver, I guess!’ I consider this for a second. ‘Or I might still be drunk, who knows. Either way, I feelamazing.’ I take a seat on the bed beside him and lean closer, catching a whiff of booze wafting from his pores. Dude really needs a shower. He’ll have to wait, though, asI used up all the hot water. ‘Haz, I’ve got a plan,’ I tell him conspiratorially.
He raises a withering eyebrow. ‘Another one?’
I frown. ‘Shut up.’ I pick up my hairbrush and start combing through my wet hair. ‘The plan is two-fold,’ I begin. ‘Firstly, I’m going to become a mega successful and well-known upcycler, starting with the chest of drawers downstairs. I’ve messaged a few more people on eBay about some tatty old furniture. And,’ I grin happily, ‘after my epically bad, failed job interview at my step-mum Angela’s office, I think she’s been feeling bad, because she and Mum have offered to buy me some paint and supplies. I gave them a long list and I can get creating as soon as it all turns up!’
Harry nods, then turns green with the effort. ‘Sounds great,’ he says. ‘I’m looking forward to that huge return on my investment.’
‘Of course!’ I say, trying and failing to gather my still-tangled hair up into a bun. ‘Do you think Jemma would care if I sold that mirror I transformed for her? She doesn’t even seem to like it, so I don’t think she’d be bothered, do you?’
‘Hum, I don’t think… I don’t know…’ he hedges, quickly changing the subject. ‘Anyway, what’s part two of the plan?’
‘Oh!’ I grin. ‘Well, that one you already know.’ I take a dramatic pause. ‘Find and marry Milo Samuels.’
He rolls his eyes. ‘This again. I thought you’d got it out of your system with that wild goose chase to collect Amanda’s drawers.’
I make a face. ‘Amanda’s drawerssounds really…’
He nods. ‘… grim. Yeah, I heard it, sorry. But you know what I mean.’ He sits up a little straighter, regarding me. ‘What is this obsession with Milo really about?’
I glare hotly. ‘What do you mean? Milo is perfect for me! He’s The One!’
He cocks his head. ‘But, like, you don’t know anything about him. Not really.’ I don’t answer and he continues, ‘And what about you? What doyouactually want in a partner? Do you even know? Do you know what makes you happy?’
His questions make my heart race and I stand up, pulling my hair back out of its bun. ‘Of course I do,’ I tell him, picking the hairbrush back up again and yanking it through tangles, wincing as I pull too much out.
