Page 28 of When We Were Young

‘Hang on, can we talk for a bit? I haven’t seen you in twenty-four hours.’

She sighs like it’s a terrible inconvenience and sits at the table opposite me. She looks tired, the remnants of what I guess is ‘tightliner’ clinging to her lashes. Perhaps they were putting make-up on each other? She fiddles with the laptop, avoiding my eyes.

‘What did you get up to at Chloe’s?’

‘Actually, we went to a friend’s house.’

‘Oh? Which friend?’

The fridge clunks and hums to life. ‘Jordan.’

‘I haven’t heard you mention Jordan. Does she go to your school?’

‘Yeah, he’s more of a friend of a friend.’

‘Jordan’s a boy?’

‘Yes,’ she sighs at my stupidity. ‘Jordan’s a boy.’

‘What were you doing at his house?’

‘He was having a few friends over for his birthday.’

The fridge falls silent. ‘Olivia, why didn’t you tell me you were going to a party?’

‘It wasn’t a party; it was more of a… gathering. I didn’t tell you because we didn’t decide to go till the last minute.’

She’s lying. She knew she was going five days ago when she googled hair and make-up tips.

‘We’ve discussed this, Liv. You need to tell me where you’re going!’ My voice is too loud.

‘We told Chloe’s mum – she was fine with it. She gave us a lift there and back. We were safe.’

‘Liv, I still need to know where you are.’

‘Why? You’re so controlling!’ Her voice is shrill.

‘I don’t even know this Jordan. I don’t know who his parents are. Or what’s going on at this party!’

She huffs. ‘It wasn’t a party…’

‘Was there alcohol there?’

‘Yes but––’

‘Jesus, you’ve been drinking? What was Chloe’s mum thinking?’

‘Mum, don’t say anything to Linda. She’ll kill Chloe if she finds out. Besides, Chloe didn’t even drink anything.’

‘Butyoudid?’

She raises her chin. ‘A couple.’

‘A couple of what?’

‘I had two bottles of cider. Small ones,’ she says, without the slightest hint of apology.

‘Oh my God!’