Page 112 of Tricky Girls

I nod. ‘Get as sloshed as you like.’

‘Cheers.’ She takes in the decorations as she chugs it. ‘Joint effort?’

I roll my eyes. ‘Helped a bit, didn’t I, Nic?’

‘Yeah, that whole one balloon,’ she retorts.

Belching, Haz thumps her chest with a fist. ‘Good to know you two are getting along as usual.’

Yeah,not.

After a hasty dinner of beer and stir fry, we head upstairs to change. Getting to Vipers before ten is normally a bit of a taboo, better waiting until the party’s really popping off later. But since we are the party tonight, we choose to head out early.

I pull on some black shorts and a leather jacket, knowing Elly will protest if I don’t at least have my arms covered up against the island’s chill. By the time I’ve done my makeup, the others are ready. Over Haz’s music, I hear her and Nic revelling around downstairs.

Knowing neither have much in the way of patience, I grab a bag and head out.

On the landing, light’s still spilling from Elly’s room. She’s sat on the edge of her bed, typing on her phone. Her shirt’s unbuttoned, gaping open to show a long length of skin and some serious side boob.

I’m so distracted by that that it takes me a moment to notice the look on her face. It’s not happy.

‘Hey.’ I wait for her to look up. ‘You okay?’

She hesitates, looking back at her phone before shaking her head.

I enter her room, closing the door behind me. ‘What’s up?’

‘My fucking mum,’ she bites out. ‘She’s taken another overdose.’

‘Oh, fuck.’ I falter, not having expected that. ‘She okay?’

Elly huffs. ‘No. I mean, she’s alive. Not dead or anything. But it means I have to go home—like now.’

‘Oh.’ I nod, trying to catch up to the situation. ‘Okay.’

‘Fuck, Haz is going to be pissed!’ She drops her phone to the mattress, burying her head in her hands and rocking. Her shirt gapes wider but I try not to look.

I reach out to stroke her back. ‘Not your fault, Elly. Haz’ll be fine.’

She nods silently, reaching under the bed to pull out a suitcase. ‘Look away a sec,’ she mutters, pulling off her shirt.

She’s swapped it for a jumper by the time I open my eyes, dragging open drawers and stuffing clothes in the case.

I remain there on the bed, not having a clue how to help and feeling useless for it.

‘I’m sorry,’ she says, not looking at me. ‘About Christmas. I really did want you there.’

‘Well…I can still come, can’t I? With you now?’

Elly hesitates, glancing at her phone. ‘I really need to be on the next ferry.’

I get up and head for the door. ‘Okay. I can do that. Five minutes. You go and tell Haz what’s up.’

I hadn’t prepared for an extended stay so I just stuff a handful of extra underwear into my tiniest suitcase, along with my makeup bag, jeans and jumpers—clothes you can wear for a few days before having to wash.

My heart’s pounding, scared for Elly, sad for Haz.

When I make it downstairs, they’re in some kind of standoff.

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