Friend of the Family

‘We’re not joined at the bloody hip, you know.’ It came out more harshly than she’d meant. ‘Besides, it’s not a date. Max is just giving me the ticket.’

Amy didn’t say anything; just looked thoughtful.

‘You’re right about David though. He is lovely.’

‘I suppose,’ Amy said. ‘David and Pog are both great. Like brothers.’

Karen watched her blush. Amy had never admitted she fancied her handsome housemate, but it was obvious. Her long, breezy letters that arrived regularly on Karen’s doormat in Bristol were full of references to her friend: David this and David that.

‘Who’s David going to the ball with?’ Karen asked.

‘His girlfriend.’

‘I didn’t know he had one.’

‘Well, he does.’

‘More’s the pity, hey?’

Amy sipped her tea. ‘What’s all this about David all of a sudden?’

‘He’s gorgeous, and you seem to get on well . . .’

‘He’s my mate, Kaz. Yes, he’s good-looking, but after three years in Oxford, I’m not sure I really want a posh boy. And I think after a night out with Max Quinn, you might agree with me.’

Amy glanced at her watch. It was almost two o’clock. The high street was clotted with tourists and the breeze through the open window smelled of blossom and promise.

‘I’d better be off,’ she said, summoning the waitress for the bill.

Karen wanted the lunch to drag out longer and felt a sudden surge of panic that this was it. The moment when Amy grew up and they went their separate ways.

‘I’m really going to miss you,’ she said, feeling a thickness in her throat. ‘You know, when you move to London.’

‘Kaz, I left Westmead a long time ago and we’re still friends.’

‘University isn’t real life, though, is it? It’s life on hold.’

‘London’s not far from Bristol. We’ve just got to make sure we make the effort.’

‘Speak for yourself. You haven’t been home in ages.’

‘I was home at Easter. But it’s hard. I work at the pub every weekend.’

‘We should make a pact,’ Karen said. ‘You come back home every month, and I’ll come to London every month. That way, we can see each other every couple of weeks.’

She waited for Amy to say something, but she didn’t.

‘Even better,’ she said, another thought forming in her head, ‘I could move to London.’

‘Move to London?’ Amy didn’t say it unkindly, but there was a note of surprise.

‘Why not?’ said Karen, feeling more excited as the idea took hold.

‘Your job, for a start. And what about Lee?’

‘I could get a new job,’ she said, reaching out over the table. ‘Something fun, like the things you’re thinking about. You know I’ve always liked hair and make-up. I could be a make-up artist. Maybe work in film or television.’

‘I don’t think it’s that easy,’ said Amy cautiously.