Page 17 of The Silent Bride
We cheer and I can’t help laughing, even though it’s slightly hollow. Right now I feel so thankful for my friends. I don’t know what I’d do without them. I’ve known most of these girls since primary school. We’ve had our ups and downs over the years, but now we’re all adults I appreciate our shared history. It’s nice. Comforting.
The evening passes quickly in a blur of laughter and alcohol. At ten to nine we all decamp to the Indian restaurant and order pretty much everything on the menu, along with more drinks. I’m trying not to think about work tomorrow. Miriam couldn’t make tonight as she had a family dinner to go to, but I already know she’s going to love teasing me when I crawl in tomorrow morning with the mother of all hangovers.
Throughout the evening, I make sure to take lots of photos and send them to Seth with silly captions. Hopefully that way he won’t feel like he’s missing out too much and he’ll know I’m thinking of him.
‘Kennedy, come here and have a selfie with me!’ I call out to Laurence across the table.
‘Do I have to? I can’t move. Shouldn’t have ordered those extra onion bhajis.’
‘Fine, I’ll come over there then.’ My words are slurring, but I’m still in that nice fuzzy stage of drunkenness before the spinny head hits. I stand and make my way around the table to where Laurence and Martin are seated. I crouch between them and take our photo as they plant a kiss on each cheek.
I caption the photo: Two New Friends and press send.
‘Shall we get the bill?’ Daisy asks.
‘What’s the time?’ I reply.
‘Almost half eleven.’
‘Yeah, s’get th’bill,’ I reply.
My phone buzzes with a text from Seth. I’ll check it in a minute.
‘Alice doesn’t have to pay, because it’s her night,’ Daisy declares. She’s always generous when she’s had a few to drink.
‘Fine, but she has to work out what everyone else pays,’ Laurence says, ‘because she’s ...’
‘The accountant!’ everyone chants.
I laugh and hold up a hand. ‘Fine, I’ll do it.’
While I wait for the waiter to bring over the bill, I eagerly check my text from Seth to see if he’s been loving my photos and little messages. But when I open up WhatsApp to read his reply, I’m confused for a moment. Then my stomach knots.
What the fuck, Alice. Are you trying to rub in the fact that I’m not there? Who are those two blokes?
He’s obviously misread the situation. He thinks I’m playing some kind of game, when I’m absolutely not. I’m suddenly very sober and very worried.
Hey, Seth. I was just trying to involve you in the evening as you couldn’t make it. Didn’t mean to upset you. Thought you’d enjoy the pics xx
Being sent photos of random men kissing you isn’t enjoyable for me.
Not random – the last photo was of Laurence and Martin. I was saying they could be your new friends.
Yeah. That’s doubtful.
Please don’t be angry. Shall we chat?
I get that you’re upset, Alice. I’m sorry I couldn’t make tonight, but it wasn’t my fault. Bombarding me with all those photos was pretty childish, don’t you think? Look, it’s late. I’m going to bed. Night.
I actually feel sick now. I need to fix this.
Can we please talk? xx
I wait for Seth to reply, but it doesn’t look like he’s seen my last message. The ticks next to it haven’t turned blue yet. Or maybe he has seen it, but he’s purposely not clicking on it.
‘Here’s the bill, Alice.’ Daisy passes me the plate with the printout on it.
‘You’re not allowed to use a calculator!’ Janey calls out.
