Page 19 of The Best Friend
‘And to top it all off,’ I say, ‘I still haven’t written next week’s column. The last thing I feel like doing is writing at the moment. My brain is like mush.’
‘Poor you,’ Darcy says, tilting her head. ‘Just a thought… if you want, I can have a go at writing it for you.’
‘What? My column?’
‘Yeah, sure. Of course, I’d run the finished thing by you first, but I’m pretty sure I know your tone of voice. I can imitate your style if you want…’
I can’t believe her generosity. ‘Thanks so much for the offer. I can’t expect you to—’
‘It would be my pleasure,’ she says.
I’m tempted, yet it feels like I’d be taking advantage of her good nature.
‘Before you say no,’ she continues, ‘it would beyoudoingmethe favour, not the other way around. You know how much I want to be a writer. This would be a great opportunity for me.’
‘Really?’
She nods.
‘Oh my God,’ I say. ‘That would be amazing. I’ve been stressing about it all day. Only… it would have to be done by Monday. Are you able to—’
‘Not a problem.’ She smiles, and I feel a weight lift off my shoulders.
‘And of course I’ll pay you for the week,’ I add.
‘Not necessary,’ she says. ‘I’ll be thrilled enough to see my work in the paper.’
‘But—’
‘I don’t want payment, Louisa,’ she says.
‘Thank you.’
‘Cute kitchen, by the way,’ she adds, looking around at the mess.
I don’t for one minute believe she means it – we’re more shabby than chic. I thank her anyway.
‘Pans?’ she asks.
I point to a cupboard. ‘Thank you,’ I say again.
She busies herself with a saucepan, some water and the packet of soup. I think I misjudged Darcy – she really does know her way around a kitchen.
‘Any idea why Joe and Tyler are acting funny around each other today?’ she asks.
My eyes rest on the party invitation sticking out the top of Joe’s rucksack. Should I tell her about it? I feel bad mentioning it while she’s being so nice, yet I owe it to Joe to say something. I flex my fingers and take a deep breath. ‘I think it’s something to do with the birthday invitations.’
Darcy plops a lid on top of the pan and turns to face me, her brow creased in concern. ‘Didn’t Joe like them? Tyler and I thought they were pretty fun.’
‘No, no,’ I say, swallowing air. ‘Nothing like that. They look amazing. It’s just… they don’t have Joe’s name on.’ I pluck the invitation from Joe’s bag and hand it to her.
She takes the colourful card in her French-manicured hand and frowns as she examines it. ‘Oh my goodness!’ she cries. ‘What on earth must you think of me? I did tell the printer to add Joe’s name, I swear to you. It was all such a rush when the invitations arrived that I didn’t think to check… Gosh, you must think I’m a terrible person.’
‘Of course not,’ I say. ‘I knew it must be a mistake. It’s just… now Joe thinks—’
‘He must feel awful!’ Darcy interrupts. ‘Don’t worry. I’ll get them reprinted.’
‘No, no,’ I say. ‘You can’t do that. That’s too much hassle and expense. Anyway, they’ve already gone out to everybody now.’
