Friends Like Us by Siân O'Gorman Read Free Book Online

at Melissa, then, and Melissa could see the old Steph, the art history student Steph, the one who loved Botticelli and Bernini more than life itself, the one who had long hair that she would tie up into a loose bun and who wore kaftans which trailed along the filthy pavements.
    â€˜I just want to be comfortable,’ Steph said. ‘Is that too much to ask? Soft shoes, no bra and nice stretchy tracksuit bottoms all day long. Give up the pretence.’
    â€˜Pretence at what?’ asked Eilis.
    â€˜Being normal.’
    â€˜I quite agree,’ said Eilis. ‘You should dig out your old kaftans, Steph.’
    â€˜Long gone, I’m afraid.’
    â€˜Well, I think it’s time you bought some more.’
    They all raised a glass.
    â€˜To comfort,’ said Melissa.
    â€˜To slippers,’ said Eilis. ‘That’s what I want to wear all the time.’
    They all giggled a bit too loudly. The Prosecco was working and they drained their glasses and, more importantly, they were friends again. It really was that simple. But, thought Melissa, if only everything else in life was so easy, like relationships or stroppy bosses.
    Steph thought of Rick and how much it had taken out of her, just trying to keep herself afloat in the marriage. That hadn’t been simple. And Eilis thought of Rob and the hospital, and the how everything seemed so full-on, and that no one ever seemed to want to hear her, to listen to her. Except here, right now, with her friends. They were interested, they cared. She smiled at them and felt a deep love and affection for them.
    â€˜So, let’s get the business out of the way,’ said Steph. ‘Melissa, I was telling Eilis that we have been asked to organize part of the school reunion.’
    â€˜I’m not going,’ said Melissa. ‘No way.’ But it was clear she was ready to be persuaded as her protestations sounded half-hearted. ‘My emotional scars from school still haven’t healed.’
    â€˜Aw, come on. You have to. It’ll be fun,’ said Eilis, thinking that it was a chance to hang out with Steph and Melissa and revisit the old days. ‘Fun-ish.’
    â€˜Well,’ said Melissa. ‘I want more than fun-ish. I think we deserve actual fun.’
    â€˜Well, then, it’ll be fun. Forget the ish.’
    Melissa looked sceptical. ‘But the nuns,’ she said. ‘We’ll have to meet the nuns again.’
    â€˜They can’t hurt you now,’ said Eilis, laughing. ‘They are powerless over you. They are not going to slap you with a ruler on the back of your legs if your skirt is too short at this age.’
    â€˜I wouldn’t be too sure,’ said Melissa.
    â€˜You have to face your fears, Mel,’ said Steph, joining the cajoling. ‘Come on. We won’t go, if you don’t.’
    â€˜Okay, if you are hanging it on me, I’ll go,’ said Melissa, faux-reluctantly. ‘I suppose there is the slight, vague possibility that it might be fun. But let’s not get too rash. And what do you mean we have to organize it?’
    â€˜It’s not much… I’ll do most of it. It’s not like I work or anything,’ Steph laughed but looked slightly embarrassed. ‘Anyway!’ she said. ‘The reunion is in December, just before Christmas. Sister Attracta has arranged it for here, in the Shelbourne. That’s why I thought we’d meet here, in the bar.’
    â€˜Sister Attracta? Is she still there?’ marvelled Melissa. ‘She must be ancient.’
    â€˜Yes she is. But even more ancient. And even more wizened,’ said Steph, looking around desperately for the waiter. ‘Now, there is someone doing the decorations and all that malarkey.’
    â€˜Who’s doing that?’ said Eilis.
    â€˜Joanne Hanratty!’
    â€˜Big Jo!’ Eilis laughed.
    â€˜The very one,’ said Steph.
    â€˜I bumped into her at the hospital once,