Page 10 of Plot Twist

Riley:Sigh. I hate her. Why is she coming across as such a bitch?

Me:Maybe lose the rich parents? You could even change her career? But, on a positive note, your story did distract me from all the ex-boyfriend / dead best friend drama.

I felt a lump in my throat. Dead best friend. It sounded so cold. How could my beautiful, full-of-life best friend be gone? I instantly regretted making light of the situation in any way, shape or form. A wave of grief consumed me. I breathed in deeply and back out again.

In.

Out.

I hoped Riley wouldn’t jump on my stupid bandwagon and chime in with her thoughts on Rae keeping such a huge secret from me. I couldn’t handle that right now.

Riley:I’m sorry, Becca. I shouldn’t be asking you to read this stuff when I know how much you’re going through right now.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

Me:No, it’s what I need just now. I can’t think of anything better than burying my head in the sand and being distracted by your sexy Greek waiter waiting to sweep the lawyer lady, or whatever she ends up being, off her feet.

Riley:But why is she such a bitch?

Me:Riley, it’ll come together. Try not to panic. Try and forget all that pressure and just write from the heart. You’re a fabulous writer.

Riley:Thanks, Becca. I don’t feel it right now.

Me:If it’s any consolation, I am feeling pretty shitty right now too. I’m not going back to work before the summer. Can’t face it. So I need to distract myself. Try and keep my mind off everything.

Riley:I wondered if you’d take some time off. Good for you.

Yes. Good for me. In the last decade of teaching, I’d never taken one sick day. I was often first to arrive and last to leave the school. I could take time off for bereavement. I should. I mentally awarded myself a gold star for decision-making.

Riley:Well, since you’ve said you’ll be off work. . . I actually wanted to ask you something.

I took a large slug of wine.

Me:Go for it.

Riley:I don’t know if this is the right thing to say just now so feel free to tell me to f*** off.

She put little stars in when she swore. My heart stung. Rae would have just said it all outright, unapologetically. But Riley wasn’t Rae.

Me:Now I’m intrigued?!

Riley:You know you said you are DREADING the summer holidays on your own?

Me:Yes, and in capital letters too. Thanks for reminding me how pathetic I am.

Riley:You’re not pathetic. I do hate capitalising in the middle of sentences, but anyway, here we are. I was wondering, and feel free to say no if you’re not sold on the idea, but I was wondering. . .

Me:Spit it out, ffs.

Riley:I have a book deadline, a very full-on four year old and an even more impatient agent asking me whether I’m going to meet said deadline. My writing is just not working. My character is meant to be likeable but even I want to stab her in the face with a fork. You want to write more over the summer and you have extra time on your hands, plus you’re a teacher so I presume you like kids?!

Me:Yes, this is all true. Apart from the fork part. I can’t comment on your murder weapon of choice.

Riley:Feel free to say no. I won’t be offended or block you online or start stalking you like that creepy character in You. But. . .

Me:Riley?!

Riley:Come spend the summer here? We’ll work on our books?