Page 81 of The Happiness Project

‘And as for you, my gorgeous girl,’ she says, reaching out and grabbing hold of both my hands. ‘Take care of the house, invite Michael around as much as you like but don’t disturb the nanny-cams as they’re beaming directly into my cabin so I can keep an eye on you.’

Everyone laughs except me.

‘Kidding!’ she continues. ‘You two have a great couple of months, just make sure that you don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.’

‘Is there anything?’ asks Michael, laughing.

‘Not really.’ She looks over at me with a faint smile. ‘Now, who’d like another glass of wine?’

* * *

At three o’clock the following morning, Sheila’s car pulls up and I help Patty haul her cases into the boot. It’s freezing and I’m standing there in gardening clogs and pyjamas. The girls mutter about how they’re going to fit all of this stuff into a small cabin and I recall that the below-deck accommodation isn’t huge.

‘We’ll just throw yours overboard, Kath,’ says Sheila. ‘If it works out with Marti you won’t need it.’

‘Very true,’ Kath says. ‘You’ll have to be a duo.’

They banter happily and when everything is in, Patty turns to me and we embrace in the tightest, warmest hug.

‘I’ll miss you,’ she says.

‘It’s not for long, and if it gets too bad just click your heels three times,’ I tell her.

And with a final cuddle, my best friend gets into the car and I wave until I can no longer see her. I breathe in the fresh air and head back inside.

Time to get my own life back on track.

THE END