Page 301 of The Black Trilogy

Luke held out a parcel wrapped in purple tissue paper, complete with fancy ribbon.

“Thanks.”

Well, it didn’t rattle. I tore off the tissue paper and found a white T-shirt with a picture of a Barbie doll dressed in combat gear and the words “I’m a bad girl” written across it. Maybe not what I’d normally wear, but I loved it.

“They were doing screen printing in art at school,” Luke explained. “Apparently, she wanted to write something slightly less polite on it instead, but the teacher wouldn’t let her.”

“I don’t suppose you’d have been happy either. You’re always moaning about her choice of words.”

“I’d have had to make an exception this time, seeing as it would have been appropriate. And besides, I’m fighting a losing battle when it comes to Tia’s language.”

“It could be worse. Hey, if you’d seen me as a teenager, Tia would seem angelic in comparison.”

“You’re probably right there.”

Luke tucked the papers into a folder but made no move to leave. Why was he hanging around?

“Okay, I’ve signed the lease, and you’ve dropped Tia’s present off. Is there anything else or can I get back to what I was doing?”

Important things, like finding a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon and more headache pills and sitting in the hot tub for a couple of hours.

“Uh, the others were wondering what you’re doing for your birthday?”

“As I feel like death warmed up, I’m staying in with pizza.”

A big pepperoni pizza, dripping with cheese. If Toby, my nutritionist, dared to utter a peep, he’d lose parts of his anatomy. I wasn’t planning to tell him, but somehow he always seemed to find these things out.

“Do you fancy some company?”

“Whose?”

“Everyone’s. I think they’re all feeling bad about the disagreement last week. I know Mack’s upset you’re by yourself today.”

“Well, I’m not changing my mind.”

“Nobody expects you to. Now they’ve slept on it for a while, I think they can see your point of view even if they don’t agree with it.”

So, Luke had been sent to test the waters. A sacrificial lamb, if you like. I didn’t want to come across as being overjoyed, but secretly I was thrilled at the prospect of my friends visiting. I’d been missing them like crazy, and I hated it when they were mad at me.

“In that case, tell them they can come over if they want.”

Finally, Luke smiled, a mixture of happiness he could leave and relief that I’d agreed to the plan.

“Great. See you later, then.”

I gave him a little wave as I backed into the house. Feeling lighter inside, I decided to go out for a ride on my horse, Stan, instead of wallowing in self-pity in the Jacuzzi.

Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad day after all.

CHAPTER 2

SOMEONE MUST HAVE mentioned the word “party” to Bradley, because he rocked up at four o’clock laden down with bags, boxes, and half a liquor store. The suspension on the hot-pink pickup he was driving groaned under the weight.

“Bradley, which part of ‘a quiet night in with pizza’ didn’t you understand?”

I loved Bradley dearly, but sometimes his positive outlook made me want to eat a bullet.

“Don’t worry, we’re still having pizza. I pre-ordered everything on the menu except the one with pineapple. We’re not having pineapple again.”

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