Page 34 of Darling Girls

‘She’s a non-sexual,’ Norah said.

‘For God’s sake,’ Alicia muttered.

‘Youare,’ Norah said. ‘When was the last time you had sex?’

‘Alicia has an avoidant attachment style,’ Jessica said. ‘She pushes people away before they get too close.’

‘Okay, Brené Brown,’ Alicia said. ‘We were talking aboutNorah’sdate.’

‘Classic avoidant,’ Jessica said, throwing a small smile over her shoulder.

‘Are you sexting him?’ Alicia said, looking over her shoulder.

‘I had to,’ Norah explained. ‘I broke his nose, so I needed to do something to stop him from pressing charges.’

The sharp intake of breath that followed made Norah wonder if Jessica was having a medical episode.

‘Relax,’ Norah said. ‘I sent him a photo of my boobs. He’ll never do anything now. My boobs are magnificent.’

‘That’s true,’ Alicia said.

Jessica was still gulping air. ‘Norah, you cannot assault anyone else, do you understand? You could go tojail!’

Norah rolled her eyes.

‘I’m serious.’ Jessica glanced at her in the mirror. ‘I’m worried about you. I think you should try meditation again. That class you took in Sandringham really helped for a while.’

Norah had never taken that class in Sandringham. She’d told Jessica she had to stop her from talking about it – a tactic that backfired, as Jessica now referred to the class regularly, asking for meditation tips or suggesting they go back together. Frankly, Norah thought her sister needed the class more than she did. ‘Maybe.’

‘Good. Because the next person you assault might not be happy to drop the matter for a photo of your boobs.’

Jessica grossly underestimated the power of her boobs, Norah thought. But she let it slide.

For a few seconds they sank into glorious silence. Then Jessica stiffened. She turned slightly towards Alicia, her nostrils twitching. Alicia’s movements mimicked Jessica’s.

‘What?’ Norah asked, as they both began to gag, jabbing wildly at buttons, trying to open the windows. ‘What is it?’

And then the smell hit her.

Wow, Norah thought. Those bougie dog treats really were potent.

15

JESSICA

BEFORE

It was Friday night, and they were on the couch in their pyjamas. Miss Fairchild had gone to a community meeting in town, leaving them home alone (obviously she was too cheap to pay a babysitter). Before she left, she’d told them, ‘If anyone comes to the door, say I’m upstairs in bed with a headache.’ Alicia had been nervous about the prospect of having to lie, but Jessica reassured her that no one had ever come to the door unexpectedly when Miss Fairchild was out.

But now someone was knocking at the door. They all looked at each other in horror.

‘You said it never happened!’ Alicia cried.

‘I said it had never happened before,’ Jessica said.

‘What do we do?’

‘How should I know?’