Page 55 of I Always Will

“Us too,” Alexandria said, smiling at Hailey.

“Great,” Susan said, washing her hands again before returning to the pie. “And what would you like to have for dinner?”

“Oh, whatever Alexandria likes is fine with me.”

Susan laughed in a way that caused Alexandria to wince slightly. “Alexandria’s favourite food is Welsh rarebit with beans, so are you sure you trust her tastes?”

Hailey shot her a funny look and Alexandria wondered whether it was a good idea to have someone as cool as Hailey around her family.

“Is that really your favourite food?” she asked, tilting her head at Alexandria.

“Um. Yeah. Kind of,” Alexandria admitted reluctantly.

Hailey giggled. “You’re so funny.”

“I tell you what,” Susan said, interrupting the two of them, “why don’t we order a chippy? Your dad will be happy—he’s been craving fish and chips all week—and, since it’s the first time you’re staying over, it will be a nice little treat. Plus, it will be a break for me.”

“Really, Mum?” Alexandria asked, excitedly. She loved when they got chippy.

“If that works for you both?” Susan said, concentrating more on her pie than the two of them.

Hailey grinned at Alexandria and nodded. “Yeah, absolutely. That sounds great.”

From her expression, Alexandria thought it might have been a long time since Hailey had gotten to have a nice chippy like that.

“Great. You can both go with Richard to pick it up and get a film from the video shop while you’re out, okay?”

Alexandria didn’t know when she’d last been so excited. She hadn’t expected her mum to turn Hailey away, but she was being so nice and welcoming. Alexandria was so sure this meant Hailey really was welcome any time she needed a place to stay. Or any time she just wanted to hang out with Alexandria. She didn’t seem to mind being friends, after all, even when Alexandria’s parents were embarrassing her.

“Thanks, Mrs. Daley,” Hailey said, looking the happiest Alexandria had seen her all day.

“Oh, and don’t forget to give me your mum’s phone number,” Susan added, gesturing to the pad stuck to the wall next to the phone. “I’ll give her a bell as soon as I’m done with this.”

Alexandria watched Hailey write her phone number on the pad before dragging her off towards the stairs and up to her bedroom.

The closer they got, the more she hoped she hadn’t left anything embarrassing out this morning. She couldn’t think of anything she might have left out, but she didn’t want to ruin this shot at being proper friends with Hailey.

“Your mum’s kind of strict-looking but actually really nice,” Hailey said quietly as she took her school bag off and left it next to Alexandria’s.

Alexandria giggled. “Yeah, I guess she is. I’m glad they’re letting you stay over.”

“Me too,” Hailey breathed, something troubled passing over her face.

“You know you can come here anytime you like?”

Hailey looked at her in a way that made Alexandria feel funny inside. “You mean it?”

“Yeah, of course. My mum said so too. We just have to promise to tell her so she can tell your parents where you are.”

For one moment, Hailey looked like she might cry. “Thanks, Alexandria. You’re a really good friend. I’m glad we met.”

Alexandria’s heart felt like it might burst. Hailey thought they were friends, and she was glad they’d met. She couldn’t believe her luck.

She’d had friends before, but not the sort who slept over. Not anyone who was like Hailey. She’d heard about other people having sleepovers, but she hadn’t really done that in a long time. The last time she had, it was more because her mum was friends with the other kids’ mums as opposed to them being Alexandria’s friends. She really liked being friends with Hailey and having her there.

“I’m really glad we met too. And that we’re friends,” she said shyly.

Hailey grinned at her before looking around the room. “Plus, your room is really cool.”

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