The Art of Friendship

by Lisa Ireland

  ‘Poor thing,’ Kit said.

  ‘Yeah. Those other seagulls are arseholes. Just because he’s different doesn’t mean they should try to kill him.’

  Once again Kit ignored language she knew Libby wouldn’t accept. ‘I don’t think they’re trying to kill him. I think they just want the chips.’

  Harry shrugged. ‘Nobody likes the ones who are different.’ He held a long chip in his hand, trying to coax the one-legged gull towards him. ‘Come on, fella. I won’t pick on you.’ But the remnants of another family’s bundle of fish and chips had caught the seagulls’ attention and they flew off en masse.

  Kit decided the time for a direct approach had come. ‘Listen, Harry, I know you really don’t want to talk about what happened today. Obviously whatever it was upset you a lot, and I understand that it might be painful for you to talk about it. But the thing is, unless you start speaking up you are going to be in a whole lot of trouble at school. Mr Quinlan even mentioned the word “expulsion” at one point.’

  He didn’t look at her; instead he stared out at the water. ‘Good. I hope I get expelled. At least I wouldn’t have to go to that crap school anymore.’

  Kit paused for a second. She knew she needed to tread carefully here. ‘I’m on your side, mate, honestly I am. And you know what? I think Mr Quinlan is on your side too. But we can’t help you if we don’t know the full story. You know, it’s a bit like that seagull you tried to help. You reached out to him but he flew away and now he’s over there,’ she nodded her head in the direction the gulls had flown off to, ‘missing out and getting picked on all over again.’

  Harry turned his face towards her. ‘Really? That’s the best you can come up with? I’m like a one-legged seagull? That’s the sort of crap Mum would say.’

  Kit grinned and socked him in the arm. ‘Come on, give me a break. I’m out of my depth here. I’m not your mum, and I’m not a parent or a teacher, so dealing with this kind of thing is all new to me, but you know what? I’m older than you and that means I have more life experience. And my life experience has taught me that keeping secrets is never a good idea. They eat at you from the inside and in the end they usually come out anyway. So I think the best strategy is just to come clean from the beginning and save yourself all the angst.’

  Harry didn’t answer, but his silence seemed contemplative rather than stubborn.

  ‘Look, maybe changing schools would be the best strategy, but it’s hard to help you work out a plan if I don’t know what the problem is.’

  She heard him suck in a deep breath. ‘They all hate me,’ he started, and then the whole story came pouring out of him like lava from a volcano.

  Chapter 14

  When Libby woke the following morning, Cameron had already left the room. There was a note on his pillow.

  Hey babe, have gone down to breakfast. Didn’t have the heart to wake you.

  Have fun shopping with the girls today. Here’s a little something to get you started.

  See you in time for happy hour.

  Cam x

  Under the note she found one of the complimentary hotel envelopes, and when she picked it up she discovered it was filled with the local currency. She slid out the notes and counted three thousand ringgit, which by her reckoning was equivalent to one thousand Australian dollars or thereabouts. She shook her head in disbelief. Cam was normally quite reserved with money. Tight in fact. He’d always been focused on the big picture, paying down the mortgage, saving for the future, getting ahead. So she’d learned to rein her spending in, at least as far as he knew. She had her secret credit card for special occasions, like Christmas and Harry’s birthday. Cam just didn’t seem to understand that you couldn’t buy presents for teenagers from Kmart. If Harry didn’t have the same brand runners as the other kids he might get picked on at school, and there was no way she was having that.

  It was bizarre how quickly things had turned around. If anyone had told her six months ago that this year she’d be staying in a luxury hotel on an all expenses paid overseas trip with her husband, and that Cam would not only approve of her going on a frivolous shopping spree but actively encourage it, she would have told them they were stark raving mad. But nevertheless, she knew her husband. He always looked at the bottom line. If he was throwing money at her to shop he obviously thought investing money in her appearance was wise. Clearly in this company image was even more important than she’d first imagined.

  Yesterday’s conversation with Alli had unsettled her somewhat. After three glasses of wine she’d had plenty to say about the other women, particularly Felicity, whom she clearly didn’t like. ‘You have to promise me you’ll never let on I told you this, but Felicity’s not even her real name,’ Alli confided.

  ‘Really? What is it then?’

  Alli paused and took a sip of her wine before she delivered her answer, a smile twitching at the corners of her mouth. ‘Felicia.’

  ‘How do you know?’

  ‘Greg told me. Apparently Jeremy was pissed one night and he accidentally let it slip.’

  ‘But Felicia’s a lovely name. Why would she change it?’

  Alli shrugged. ‘Maybe Felicity’s not the blueblood she pretends to be. Mark my words, that one’s got secrets. She never talks about her family.’

  ‘Maybe she’s estranged from them. Not everyone comes from a happy family.’ That was a situation Libby could understand. Many times she’d considered cutting her own mother out of her life altogether. But the thought of what that might do to her dad always put an end to any such notion.

  ‘Yeah, maybe. But I have to admit I’m a wee bit fascinated by her background. I’m pretty sure she’s had elocution lessons. If you listen to her speech when she’s angry or excited, her true accent starts to break through. There’s a definite bogan twang hiding under all those rounded vowels.’

  ‘Does it matter?’ Libby wasn’t sure she liked the way this conversation was heading, especially considering she’d spent the better part of her formative years in the western suburbs. She hadn’t picked Alli as a snob.

  ‘That she’s a bogan? Not at all. In fact I think I might like bogan Felicia better than I like blueblood Felicity. It’s the deception that fascinates me. And the way she acts as if she’s so superior to the rest of us really gets under my skin.’

  Libby wasn’t sure what to say so she sipped her drink and remained silent.

  ‘Look, I know you probably think I’m being a bitch, but it’s not about her background. I couldn’t give a flying fuck where she grew up. It’s not as if I come from a privileged background. I mean, my family are very middle-class, not wealthy by any stretch of the imagination. I don’t care about that sort of thing. And Lord knows we’ve all got our secrets – things we’d rather the world didn’t know. But I don’t trust Felicity, it’s as simple as that. I think she’d do anything to better her social position, even knife her friends in the back if she thought it would benefit her. Just be careful of that one.’

  Libby had briefly wondered what secrets Alli might be keeping, but of course she didn’t ask. Instead she’d nodded and changed the subject.

  Now, as Libby sat on the bed buckling up her sandals, she contemplated the day ahead. Alli had organised a group shopping expedition and now Libby knew there were tensions in the group, she was wary of spending time with them. She wanted to trust Alli and believe that the reason she relayed the gossip about Felicity was simply to warn Libby that Felicity wasn’t exactly as she seemed, and to prove that Felicity had no right to behave in the superior manner she did. But what if Alli was the one with an ulterior motive? It was all very unsettling.

  *

  After being talked into another ridiculously extravagant purchase – a nine-hundred-dollar handbag from Burberry, which was a ‘steal’ according to Felicity – Libby was ready to retire from shopping. Fortunately it was lunchtime and it didn’t take much to c
onvince the others to take a break to eat. Georgina selected a stylish Asian fusion restaurant within the shopping centre where the food was light and delicious and the champagne plentiful.

  Libby hadn’t really planned on drinking so early in the day – she’d consumed more alcohol in the past two days than she had in the last three months combined – but after the excitement of her expensive purchase she needed something to settle her down. She was seated opposite Alli, who was entertaining them all with a self-deprecating story about her command of the French language, and the trouble that had gotten her into when she and Greg had last visited France.

  ‘Oh, I love Paris,’ Libby said, when Alli was done. ‘In fact I’m headed there for a little trip later this year.’

  Georgina smiled. ‘Oh how lovely, darling. Are you and Cam taking Harry in the school holidays?’

  ‘No, actually. I’m going with my friend Kit. Kit and I celebrated our twenty-second birthdays in Paris. We were supposed to go back for our thirtieth birthdays but Harry was little and it was just too hard. But this year we’re both celebrating our fortieth birthdays so we’ve decided to go back.’

  ‘Oh that sounds fabulous. When exactly are you going? Paris is gorgeous year round, of course, but my favourite time there is the early spring,’ Alli said.

  Felicity and Georgina both nodded in agreement.

  ‘Well, Kit works full-time so I have to fit in around her. She’s applied to take leave for the first two weeks of July. We’re just waiting for her to get official approval and then we’ll book our tickets.’

  Georgina’s face fell. ‘Oh no, darling, really? You can’t possibly go then. The Christmas in July ball is in the first week of July and, even though you haven’t been on the organising committee this year, I was absolutely counting on your help on the night.’

  ‘Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t realise.’ Libby wasn’t sure what else she could say.

  ‘Lucky you haven’t booked yet,’ said Felicity.

  ‘I’m sorry?’ Libby said. Surely Georgina wouldn’t expect her to change her plans because of a silly ball.

  ‘Yes,’ Georgina said slowly. ‘That is fortunate. Do you think perhaps your friend would mind terribly if you had to postpone for a couple of weeks?’

  Clearly this was a big deal to Georgina, but she couldn’t really be upset if Libby refused. Could she? ‘I’m not sure. I guess I could ask her.’ Obviously there was no way she was asking Kit to change their plans for the sake of a ball. She’d just wait a week or two and then tell Georgina it wasn’t possible.

  The smile returned to Georgina’s face. ‘Would you? That is kind. I think I speak for us all when I say we’d be so disappointed if you weren’t able to come.’

  Felicity nodded enthusiastically while Alli took another sip of her drink. Libby placed her half-drunk glass of champagne on the table. She could feel the beginnings of heartburn behind her breastbone. She needed a moment to herself. ‘Excuse me, ladies. I might just pop to the bathroom.’

  ‘Oh, I’ll come too,’ Felicity said.

  Libby sighed inwardly. So much for her moment alone. Felicity followed her as she stood and made her way to the rear of the restaurant. Once in the bathroom, she quickly entered a cubicle before Felicity had the chance to say anything. But once she’d flushed and opened the door she found Felicity standing at the sinks waiting for her. ‘You didn’t need to wait,’ Libby said as she turned on the tap to wash her hands.

  Felicity stood beside her and addressed her reflection in the mirror. ‘I didn’t really need to go. I just wanted a moment alone with you to see how you are doing. Is Harry okay after the incident at school yesterday?’

  Libby spun sideways, her hands dripping water all down the front of her pale pink silk top. ‘What do you mean? What’s happened?’

  Felicity’s eyes widened in surprise. ‘I’m sorry, I thought you knew.’

  ‘Thought I knew what?’

  ‘Apparently there was a fight at school yesterday. I’m surprised Mr Quinlan didn’t contact you.’ Was that a look of glee in her eyes?

  Libby was confused. ‘Why would he call me specifically? I know Harry’s not injured. If he was, Kit would have called me. Besides, he texted me last night to say goodnight.’ Unless he was hiding something. Libby’s mind began to race. What if he was in hospital and she wasn’t there to comfort him? Surely Kit wouldn’t keep something like that from her, would she? Why the hell had she come on this stupid trip? She’d known all along that leaving Harry at home without a parent was not a good idea.

  Felicity’s eyes danced with her yet-to-be-revealed secret, but she feigned coyness. ‘Oh, um, no reason.’

  ‘Felicity, you’re scaring me. Tell me what you know.’

  ‘Well,’ she said, with a hint of triumph in her voice, ‘I’m sorry to be the one telling you this and, look, maybe I’ve got my information wrong, but when I talked to Seb on the phone last night he told me Harry was involved in a fight with some other boys at school yesterday and that one of them ended up being taken to hospital.’

  Libby shook her head. Not her Harry. He couldn’t inflict harm on another person if he tried. ‘Seb must be mixed up. Maybe he meant another Harry? I believe there are several in their year level.’

  Felicity shook her head. ‘I don’t think so. Seb said Harry’s been suspended.’

  Suspended? That couldn’t be right. Harry had never once been in trouble at school, at least not serious trouble. ‘I heard from Harry last night and I’m sure he would have mentioned something like this.’

  Felicity looked unconvinced but she nodded. ‘Yes, of course. Seb must be mistaken. Please don’t worry yourself about it. I shouldn’t have mentioned it. Sorry.’

  ‘I might just make a phone call, if you don’t mind, Felicity. You head back to the table. I’ll be there in a minute.’

  ‘Yes, of course.’

  Libby waited for her to leave, then moved to the couch in the little foyer outside the bathroom. She pressed Kit’s number and willed her to pick up.

  ‘Hey, Libby, what’s up? How’s it going over there?’

  ‘Thank goodness I’ve caught you. Can you talk for a minute?’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘I’m just ringing to check everything’s fine with Harry. Nothing out of the ordinary going on?’

  There was a pause on the other end before Kit responded. ‘Lib, I was going to call you today –’

  Libby’s pulse thudded in her ear. ‘Oh God, he’s hurt, isn’t he? Felicity said a boy had been taken to hospital, but she didn’t think it was Harry.’

  ‘No, no, Harry’s fine.’

  Libby’s shoulders relaxed a little. She hadn’t even realised that they were tensed until now. ‘You have no idea what a relief that is. One of the other women here just told me some ridiculous story about Harry getting into a fight. I told her it wasn’t true, but she was so insistent that I thought I’d better just check, you know, on the off-chance . . .’

  ‘Well, actually there is some truth to that story. When I said Harry was fine, I meant physically. But he was involved in an incident at school yesterday.’

  Libby’s heart rate ratcheted up again. ‘What do you mean? What the hell’s going on?’

  ‘Calm down. Everything is totally under control. Harry’s not hurt and the other kid is fine. He wasn’t “in the hospital”, he just went to the emergency department to get his nose checked. It was only a blood nose, nothing worse. The school was just being overly cautious, covering their own arses. You know how it goes.’

  She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. ‘Are you telling me Harry was in a fight?’

  ‘Well yes, but there’s a bit more to it than that.’

  A wave of nausea hit her. ‘I can’t believe this. Felicity says Harry’s been suspended. Is that true?’

  ‘Yeah, he is at home today while th
is whole mess gets sorted out. I’m seeing the principal again later today.’

  How could this possibly be true? And what was Kit thinking, keeping something like this from her? Obviously something dreadful must have happened to Harry for him to lash out in this way. ‘When were you going to tell me? And why hasn’t the school contacted me?’

  ‘It was an urgent matter so they called me, as you’d made a point of letting them know I was Harry’s legal guardian while you were away. They needed someone to attend the school immediately. And they would have contacted you after that but I asked them not to bother you about this until we’d got to the bottom of the whole thing. I wanted to give Harry the opportunity to tell me his side of the story. I wanted to have all the information before I called you. I have another meeting with the principal today so we can share information and I intended to call you right after that. Honestly, Lib, there’s no need to panic – I’m here and I’m handling it.’

  Angry heat coursed through Libby’s body. Why did Kit always think she knew better than everyone else? Her whole life she’d been telling Libby what to do, but this was one area where Libby had the upper hand. Kit didn’t have any idea what it took to parent a child. ‘I really cannot believe you thought it was okay to keep this from me, from us. We’re his parents, not you. This is way overstepping the mark, Kit.’

  ‘For heaven’s sake, Libby. I did what I thought was right. When you left the country you made me Harry’s legal guardian and I acted as such. I’ve tried to make the best decisions possible in the circumstances. I didn’t want to spoil your holiday unnecessarily or have you rush home if there was no need. I really just wanted to get all the facts together before I told you.’ Kit was clearly annoyed, which made Libby even angrier. Why couldn’t she just have the good grace to admit that she was in the wrong here?