Page 54 of The Happiness Project

‘David tells me you had a lovely time last night,’ says Sarah, and I’m a little surprised until I remember that she’s his cousin.

‘What did he say about it?’ Patty barges into the conversation with her trademark subtlety.

‘That you talked about eighties fashion and that you’re off to listen to Strauss in Vienna,’ replied Sarah. ‘He’s very envious of that.’

‘What else?’ Patty persists.

‘Erm . . . I think he thought the food was nice, and of course he really likes you, Angie,’ adds Sarah. ‘Oh, and he mentioned the charity event you’ve helped with. He’s really enthusiastic about that. He thinks it’ll raise his profile. I imagine you’re going to that, aren’t you?’

I tell Sarah that I am and that I had a lovely evening too.

‘Yes,’ Patty says. ‘I heard it was perfectly nice.’

I give Patty such a nudge that she almost spills the wine at her lips. I’m annoyed with her; just because my relationship doesn’t fit her ideal for me is no reason for her to dismiss it.

Caroline clinks a pen against a glass and calls the book club to order.

‘We need to decide on our next book. Now, we already have several suggestions on the list from last time, so rather than choose anyone’s particular preference, shall I just close my eyes and pick one at random?’

There’s a murmur of agreement, which is interrupted by Patty standing up and heaving the holdall onto the chair.

‘If you don’t mind, I would like to make a very different suggestion,’ she says, getting raised eyebrows from the whole group.

‘We’re intrigued,’ Ed says.

Patty slowly unzips the holdall and reaches her hand in.

‘Thank you for allowing me to come to my first actual book club meeting. As you have all probably guessed, I’m not much of a reader and am occasionally known to scour the book reviews before I join you on the weekend trips just so I know what to say.’

‘We would never have guessed,’ says Peter sarcastically.

‘She hides it well,’ I say with equal sarcasm.

‘Anyway,’ continues Patty, drawing the attention back to her. ‘I thought that if perhaps we all read something that I love, I might be able to take part properly. And so, if you’re amenable, this is what I suggest as our next read.’

She pulls out a stack of 1980s Jackie annuals and there is such a gasp of delight that other people in the bar turn round to see what has happened.

‘Oh, I loved this,’ says Caroline, quickly skimming through it.

‘Me too,’ adds Peter. ‘It beat the football mags all the other boys were reading.’

The annuals have everyone enthused, including me. I wouldn’t mind spending my evenings re-reading the problem pages that absorbed my teenage years. Happily, the group are delighted to give this a go, so Patty hands us one each and we agree to read and pass round so that we’ve all seen each edition. What a joy — I can’t wait to do this.

* * *

‘I didn’t know you still had these,’ I say to Patty when we get home. ‘They could be worth a fortune.’

‘They are to me. I know people collect them but I don’t think I could ever bear to part with them. I remember my mum coming into my room and telling me to turn the light out and go to sleep, so I used to do as I was told then switch on the torch from my bedside table and hide under the bedclothes to finish whatever feature I was reading.’

‘The equivalent of being on your mobile all night.’ I smile. ‘I imagine the experts back then said reading by torchlight would ruin your eyes.’

‘Probably. Every joy in life comes with a doom merchant telling you not to do it.’

I’m tired after my long day and am making myself a cuppa ready to take up to bed when Patty says, ‘I’m sorry for asking all those questions about your night with David.’

I’d forgotten how annoyed I was with her earlier in the evening and sigh as I could do without all that whizzing around my head as I try to sleep. I decide confrontation is not what I want right now.

‘That’s okay. I know you’re only looking out for me, but I am a big girl and you have to let me make my own mistakes.’ I instantly regret my choice of word.

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