Page 131 of Alice Carver Manifests Her Perfect Life
‘Don’t worry,’ Astrid smirked. ‘I don’t think you’ll ever set eyes on it, Mum.’
‘Oh dear,’ said Dad. ‘It’s not one of these intimate tattoos, is it? I’ve heard about those on—’
‘To us!’ interrupted Aziz.
‘To Aziz and Astrid!’ everyone chorused, obediently.
We all raised our glasses and Aziz smiled at me. I was going to miss Aziz so much. He’s what makes family occasions more bearable. For a fraction of a second, with the heat of the sun and the fizz of the champagne and the warmth of the people I loved best around me, I forgot everything else.
Until Mum spoke.
‘So, Matthew,’ said Mum, ‘we’re all in suspense. Did you get Alice’s envelope?’
I was mid-sip and the shock rendered me incapable of swallowing, so the bubbles went up my nose, making me splutter.
Drunk Stephen patted me none too gently on the back and whispered, ‘If you want Matthew Lloyd to fancy you, maybe stop acting like some kind of beef-wit.’
I wiped my mouth, straightened up and looked at Matthew; his expression was inscrutable.
‘This one?’ said Matthew, casually, pulling out my letter from the back pocket of his jeans. ‘Yes, I did, thank you.’
My champagne flute dropped and bounced on the ground, spraying my legs and Drunk Stephen’s, and nearly getting Astrid.
‘Alice!’ said Astrid. ‘Careful!’
Drunk Stephen quickly retrieved my glass, and widened his eyes at me. ‘You’re acting like someone they rolled out in a cage in medieval times,’ he hissed.
‘Well, there we go, all delivered, maybe you can relax now, Alice, darling,’ said Dad, putting his arm round my shoulders.
I risked glancing over at Matthew again. He held my gaze, his eyes glinting in the sun as he slowly stuffed the letter back in his pocket.
‘She doesn’t look very relaxed, Grandpa,’ said Ernie helpfully. ‘She looks a bit like Maud does when she gets caught in her lead. Sort of bulgy eyed.’
‘What on earth is in the envelope anyway, Alice?’ asked Mum. ‘You’re being rather odd.’
‘Nothing,’ I said, my voice high.
‘You don’t send someone an empty envelope,’ said Arrie.
‘Yeah,’ agreed Matthew. ‘It doesn’t feel like nothing.’
I looked at him hopefully. Maybe he hadn’t opened it yet.
‘No,’ said Matthew, thoughtfully. ‘It definitely feels like something to me.’
He slowly and deliberately raised his eyebrows at me. He was toying with me. Matthew Lloyd was fucking with me.
‘Maybe I should check now,’ he challenged, the corners of his mouth lifting with amusement. ‘Are you sure there’s nothing in it, Alice? Nothing carefully stained with tea, like the envelope?’
I watched in slow motion as he reached towards his back pocket and my instincts took over. Luckily Dad moved back, only losing a little of his champagne, as I leapt towards Matthew, trying to grab the letter.
‘Alice!’ Mum exclaimed. ‘What is wrong with you?’
‘For goodness’ sake, Alice,’ Astrid sighed.
‘Give it back,’ I said. ‘Give it back, you big fucker.’ If I could get it back, everything would be okay. He probably hadn’t even read it. I still had a chance.
Matthew was fielding me with ease and my insult only made him laugh, which made my ears ring with frustration and embarrassment and my temper broke.
