Page 33 of Alice Carver Manifests Her Perfect Life
‘But if you make certain choices, who’s to say you won’t end up like Alice?’ said Arrie.
I was anticipating that Astrid would not take this as a compliment.
‘And what does that mean?’ said Astrid. ‘I don’t think you can call retraining to become a doctor childish. It’s hardly dipping my toes into marketing or publishing for children—’
‘Actually, children’s publishing is a sought-after profession!’
Astrid ignored me. ‘Bottom line, I take my career seriously. I’m not taking selfies and handouts.’
Yep. Not flattering.
‘I think you’re liable to make a mess of your life like Alice has if you’re not careful. Even Monty had enough eventually. Aziz is a saint but he will only put up with so much. Whatabout what he wants? I don’t want you to end up alone.’ This time the ‘like Alice’ was just implied.
‘I’ll take my chances,’ said Astrid. ‘Roger’s still putting up with you.’
‘I am not alone!’ I said. ‘And Monty did not dump me. I dumped him.’
‘Of course you did,’ said Dad. ‘Be nice, please, Arrie.’
Arrie sighed. ‘I am being nice. I just want everyone to be happy.’
‘Maybe try being less insulting then,’ I muttered.
But Arrie wasn’t finished. She turned to Astrid. ‘Astrid, please talk to Aziz about this. You’re not thinking clearly. You know it would be cheaper to buy a sports car.’
Astrid rolled her eyes.
‘But you know I have faith in you, Astrid,’ said Arrie, softening. Then she fixed on me. ‘And Alice, I just don’t like to think of you bringing in the new year all alone in some horrible industrial warehouse place at the end of the tube line, posting empty pictures of your empty life, counting out your coins for the journey home.’
God. Neither did I. What a bleak picture.
I waited for the softening bit, but Arrie just stared at me silently.
‘I won’t be all alone,’ I said eventually. ‘I’ll be with Drunk Stephen and his friends and it’s actually an exclusive party.’ I tried to inject some enthusiasm into my voice.
‘She’ll be all right,’ said Astrid briskly. ‘Dad gave her £100.’
‘Ken!’ said Mum sharply. ‘We’ve spoken about this.’ She shook her head at Dad then focused on me. ‘Although I agreewith Arrie. I would like to see you settled, Alice. Perhaps when Astrid’s volunteering she can find you a nice doctor?’
‘Yes,’ said Arrie. ‘That would be good.’
‘It would be lovely to see you happy, darling,’ said Dad.
Suddenly I realised that everyone was looking at me. More to the point, everyone was looking at me with pity and it made my ribcage feel a little cramped.
‘I am happy!’ I retorted. ‘You don’t need a partner to be happy. I like being single. I’m young and I’m making the most of what London has to offer and having lots of casual sex.’
‘Really?’ said Astrid. ‘I thought you said you hadn’t had sex for months. Since that guy you met on Hinge who still lived with his mum and tried to get you to dress up like a teddy bear?’
‘Oh, furries,’ said Dad. ‘I heard about that onDispatches.’
‘My little Ally-Pally!’ Mum reached across the table and squeezed my hand. ‘Sounds appalling!’
It was. So gross. But Mum never calls me her little Ally-Pally anymore. She must truly have been feeling sorry for me.
‘Golly,’ said Roger, his voice slightly croaky from being quiet so long. ‘I bet you come across all sorts of things if you’re single in this day and age. Depraved. I imagine.’ He sounded quite admiring.
‘No one asked you, Roger,’ said Arrie, looking at him with disdain.
