Page 92 of Escape to the Country

‘Gareth Blunt from school?’ said Annie, frowning. ‘That guy you had a huge crush on?’

‘Yeah!’ said Megan, her eyes gleaming. ‘We had one glorious fumble and kiss at the prom.’

‘And then you met Neal a few months later at college,’ said Annie, ever the romantic.

Megan smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes, Eleanor noticed.

‘What’s Gareth up to now?’ she asked.

‘Some kind of TV director or something,’ said Megan. ‘All very glamorous.’

‘Oooh!’ said Annie. ‘Let’s google him.’

Eleanor refilled their wine glasses as the movie played on.

A few hours later, Eleanor stared at the two empty jugs of Pimm’s. How had they got through all of that between the three of them? Her mum hadn’t even had a drink. But it turned out the Megan had actually finished off most of the Pimm’s. Annie and Eleanor had to help her stagger down the street after she insisted she didn’t need a lift.

‘Man, she was pretty drunk tonight,’ said Eleanor frowning. ‘Do you think she’s okay?’

‘Probably just blowing off some steam,’ said Annie, with a shrug. ‘I think she gets pretty bored at home.’

After Sam had picked her up, Eleanor went back indoors, deep in thought and wondering what she could do to help her friend. But her mind was blank. Especially as her own life left a lot to be desired right now.