Page 181 of When We Were Young

‘Hi.’ He kisses my cheek, then my lips, and lingers.

I bat him away. ‘Pippa’s over there!’

‘So?’

‘I’m trying to pretend I’m a professional author.’

‘Youarea professional author.’

Ben’s sister Beth calls him over and puts him to work pouring glasses of fizz. This whole thing is Beth’s master plan. She’s in PR and insisted on organising a book launch party. Months ago, she asked me about my dream venue and who would come. I had no idea she was making mental notes. So here we are in my favourite bookshop: Cartwright’s in Bloomsbury. We have the top floor to ourselves. The arched window at the end lets in the last golden rays of the day, illuminating the ancient oak mezzanine packed with books.Beth has arranged a display of Will’s guitars and on an easel beside them theYellow Feathersartwork catches the light, on show at last after years in the dusty attic at Matty’s parents’ house.

My agent, Pippa, calls me over to sign more books.

‘People are arriving,’ she says, nodding towards the staircase as Dad climbs the last steps.

‘This place is amazing,’ he says, kissing my cheek. ‘You look lovely.’

‘Thanks.’

‘And here it is.’ He picks up a copy of my book.

‘You’ve seen it before.’

‘Not in a bookshop. Now it’s real.’

There’s a tap on my shoulder. It’s still a shock to see Chloe’s long black hair cropped into an angular bob with the ends dip-dyed blue. ‘Hello, Olivia Lawrence-King.’

I throw my arms around her. ‘You made it!’

‘Wouldn’t miss it for the world!’

She’s travelled up from Brighton where she’s studying psychology. Her boyfriend Dan is with her, and I hug him, too. She’s much happier now she’s doing what she wants rather than what’s expected of her. We don’t see each other as often as I’d like, but we message every day, even if it’s only a stupid cat video. I pick up a book, flick to the acknowledgements, and hand it to her.

She reads the part for her:

Thanks to my partner in crime since primary school, Chloe Chan, without whose super-sleuth detective work, this book would not have been possible. And without whose friendship and support I would be lost.

‘Ah, that’s awesome,’ says Dan, reading over her shoulder, but Chloe stares at the page in silence. A tear slides down her cheek.

My stomach lurches. ‘Oh, I knew I’d get it wrong! What I was trying to say was––’

‘It’s perfect.’ She sniffs. ‘Thank you. I wasn’t expecting…this.’ She laughs and wipes her eyes.

I give her another hug. ‘I’m so lucky to have a friend like you.’

‘Shut up, Liv. You’re ruining my mascara.’

I glance at the stairs. If Mum was coming, wouldn’t she be here by now?

But it’s Matty and Reu who arrive next, and I go to meet them.

‘Wow,’ says Matty, ‘the book looks brilliant. I can’t wait to read it.’

‘Don’t lie,’ says Reu, ‘you’ve never read a book in your life!’

‘Well, that’s because I’ve never beeninone before!’

I take them to the display of guitars, then leave them reminiscing when I spot Aidan Bailey standing stock still at the top of the stairs. He loosens his collar and rubs his brow, overwhelmed by the sight of his brother’s face everywhere.