Page 23 of Someone Like You

‘Of course! She said she’d help if I got approval from Saskia and Paloma, remember?’ Freya replies, her bright optimism re-igniting. It’s something I admire about Freya – how resilient she is – but until I know for sure that Gaby’s onboard, I’ll hold off on celebrating.

‘And Poppy,’ says Freya, suddenly serious again, ‘even though I’m not your second, you’ll keep me in the loop, right?’

With that pleading look in her eye, how can I say anything but yes?

‘Of course.’

She smiles brightly, throwing her arms around my neck and hugging me tightly.

As seems to be happening with more frequency lately, I arrive home from work to find our friends sitting at the breakfast bar sipping beverages while Tristan cooks dinner. This time, it’s Tristan’s best friend, Ravi, and his wife, Jacinda.

‘There you are,’ says Jacinda, sliding off her stool.

‘Hello, darling,’ says Tristan. ‘I’ll come and welcome you properly after I finish the polenta.’ Polenta, as I’ve learnt since marrying a man who cooks, requires constant stirring or it gets lumpy.

‘Hi,’ I say to Jacinda, accepting a cheek kiss. ‘Hi, Rav,’ I say with a wave.

He sends me a warm smile. ‘Hiya.’

I shrug out of my coat and hang it up. ‘Are you two early or am I late?’ I ask, checking the clock on the stove. It’s barely gone six.

‘We’re early,’ they both reply, but neither offers an explanation.

‘Oh, a Chardy,’ I say, spying the open bottle of wine on the counter. I slip past Tristan, sneaking a cheeky bum pat, and get myself a glass from one of the overhead cupboards. ‘Who’s having a top-up?’ I ask.

‘Yes, please,’ replies my husband, sliding his glass towards me, and I top up his wine.

‘Rav? Jass?’ I ask, turning around. Only Ravi’s having a whisky and Jacinda’s drinking— Wait… I meet her eyes. ‘Is that water?’

‘Yes,’ she replies, both hands encircling the glass.

I hold up the bottle. ‘Did you want a glass? It’s from Burgundy.’

‘No, thank you.’

‘Okay,’ I say brightly, even though it’s highly unusual for Jacinda to decline a glass of wine. I suspect I knowwhyshe’s not drinking, but it’s something that should come from them, rather than me asking outright.

I put the bottle in the fridge and when I turn back around, they‘re having a hushed, but intense conversation, making my suspicions mount. To give the illusion of privacy, even though I can make out most of what they’re saying, I go and stand beside Tristan and watch him stir the polenta. He flashes me a wink and I blow him a kiss, wondering if he’s listening in to our friends’ conversation like I am.

‘I want to tell them, Rav. I’m practically bursting with it,’ Jacinda whispers.

‘All right,’ Ravi replies softly.

‘So, we have some news…’ Jacinda begins, raising her voice.

‘Youdo?’ I ask, spinning around.

Jacinda starts laughing. ‘Poppy, you are theworstactor. You already know what I’m going to say, don’t you?’

‘Imayhave figured it out.’

‘Figured out what?’ asks Tristan, looking over his shoulder.

Jacinda shares a look with Ravi, who beams at her. ‘It’s early days,’ she says, turning back to me, ‘and we’re not supposed to be telling people yet, but you’re notpeople, you’re family, so… We’re having a baby!’

As the words land, tears spring to my eyes. I’m going to be an aunty! There’s going to be a little person in the world who calls me ‘Aunty Poppy’!

I run around to Jacinda and throw my arms around her. ‘I am so happy for you!’

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