The Art of Friendship

by Lisa Ireland

  ‘And if Harry does something to upset you or behaves badly, do you tell her that?’

  Libby shifted uncomfortably in her chair. She thought about the things she kept from Kit. They were just little things really, tiny details of her life that she was worried Kit might not approve of: the fact that she had completely forgotten to vote in the last federal election, for instance, and exactly how much time she’d spent at Harry’s primary school each week helping out (but really making sure that Harry was doing okay). It was just that she knew Kit’s opinion on such things and she didn’t want to spend the whole phone call arguing or being lectured. Just because she didn’t disclose every detail of her life to Kit didn’t mean they weren’t close. Did it? ‘Not always,’ she admitted.

  Alli reached across and patted her hand briefly. ‘There’s no need to look so distraught. We all do it – present the best image of ourselves to the world. The difference is you and Kit have been able to get away with more because of the distance between you. Sounds to me like you’ve each created an image that you think the other will approve of. No wonder the wheels are starting to fall off now you’re actually having to spend time together.’

  Libby sank back in her chair. Was Alli right? Was the closest friendship she had nothing but a carefully fabricated lie?

  Chapter 20

  After her night out with Alli, Libby hadn’t been able to sleep. She’d spent most of the hours between midnight and dawn thinking about her relationship with Kit. Surely what they had amounted to more than shared memories and carefully created images? They had a real connection, one that ran deeper than any of the superficial day to day stuff that Alli had brought up when they’d talked about how different she and Kit had become. They needed to prioritise their friendship, that was all.

  As she circled around the busy streets of Williamstown looking for a park, Libby thought how much she would have preferred to be meeting Kit at the Arcadia Club café. The club was a pleasant, picturesque, ten-minute walk from her place, but on drizzly days like today there was never a problem getting a park nearby. On her third lap of Ferguson Street she got lucky and managed a centre of the road park. She was only a couple of minutes late. Hopefully Kit wouldn’t have been waiting long. She raced across the road holding her hands above her head in a futile attempt to protect her hair from the rain, the whole time cursing Cam for pinching the umbrella out of the car last weekend and not remembering to return it. When she entered she saw Kit sitting at a table towards the centre of the café, her hand wrapped around a large coffee cup. Maybe Libby had the time mixed up and was later than she thought?

  ‘Hi,’ she said, leaning in for a kiss. ‘Sorry I’m late. Parking here is a nightmare. I hope you haven’t been waiting long.’

  Kit shrugged. ‘Not really. I met a friend here earlier for coffee, so it’s no drama.’

  ‘Oh, okay. So have you eaten already?’ Libby asked, as she opened up the menu.

  ‘No, my friend ate but I just had coffee. I like to eat later on the weekends.’

  ‘So let’s get the food order out of the way first. I feel like this is the first chance I’ve had to talk to you properly since Christmas Day. What’s good here?’

  After a discussion of the merits of the smashed avo and dukkah goat’s cheese versus poached eggs and bacon, Libby decided on the latter and Kit concurred. Libby went to the counter to order and took her seat again, ready to launch into conversation. ‘So, how are you?’

  ‘I’m good. You?’

  ‘Good, good. What’s news with you?’

  ‘Oh, you know, nothing much. Work’s the same as ever. What about you?’

  This wasn’t going the way she’d imagined. She and Kit had never had trouble finding something to talk about, but this conversation was decidedly forced. ‘Um, things are good, I guess.’ There was an awkward pause while she contemplated whether or not to tell Kit the whole story about Harry and the school, or whether to gloss over it. On the one hand she didn’t want to cause any further friction between them, but on the other hand Kit knew Harry well; maybe she could offer an unbiased – or at least a less biased – opinion on whether his behaviour was truly concerning, or just regular teenage acting out.

  ‘Actually, I’ve been a bit stressed and –’

  ‘I’ve got something I want to talk about –’ They both spoke at once.

  ‘You go,’ Libby said.

  Kit shook her head. ‘No, it’s okay, mine’s not important, really.’ She dropped her gaze and instantly Libby knew what Kit wanted to talk about.

  ‘Oh my God, you’ve met someone, haven’t you?’

  Kit’s cheeks flushed and she shook her head incredulously. ‘How do you do that? Do you have a sixth sense or something?’

  Libby shrugged. ‘I know you, that’s all. I’ve seen that look on your face often enough. I think the first time was when you told me you had a crush on Doug Harris in year seven.’

  Kit laughed. ‘Oh God, I’d forgotten about Dougie. But it was unrequited love, remember?’

  Libby nodded. ‘Yep. As I recall your first boyfriend was his best friend, Chris something . . . what was his name again?’

  ‘Politi. Christopher Politi.’

  ‘So, Kit, tell me, is this news today related to Chris Politi?’

  She screwed up her nose. ‘Ew, no. I didn’t even like him when I went out with him.’

  Libby chuckled. ‘Yes, I do recall you were less than enamoured of him. Shame being his girlfriend didn’t manage to net you Dougie.’

  Kit grinned. ‘I admit it was a flawed strategy.’

  ‘So, I take it you have better moves these days?’

  ‘Well, I don’t know about that. I have met someone, but he’s totally wrong for me. He was supposed to be a one-night stand, but I haven’t managed to shake him quite yet.’

  ‘Oh God, Kit, he’s not a stalker, is he?’

  ‘No! No, nothing like that. Quite the opposite in fact. He’s, well, to use an old-fashioned term, he’s a gentleman.’

  ‘I’m listening.’

  ‘There’s really nothing to tell. I thought I could sleep with him and walk away, but he keeps asking me out and I keep saying yes.’

  Libby clapped her hands gleefully. This really was big news. ‘This is great, Kit. Cam was just saying to me the other day how good it would be if you had a partner.’

  Kit rolled her eyes. ‘So you two were discussing how to matchmake your poor spinster friend? That doesn’t make me feel like a loser at all.’

  ‘It wasn’t like that, I swear. Anyway, what seems to be the problem? He’s apparently someone you are happy to spend time with and he obviously likes you. And he’s a gentleman.’

  ‘Obviously that is the problem.’

  ‘That he’s a gentleman?’

  Kit shook her head. ‘No, well, kind of that too, but the major thing is he likes me.’

  Libby grinned. For someone who was so smart, Kit was hopeless at stuff like this. She’d never been any good at romance. ‘That’s kind of how it works.’

  ‘No, I mean I think he’s after a relationship, and you know I just don’t do relationships.’

  Libby stopped smiling. It was true. Kit hadn’t had a proper relationship in years. ‘Hey, never say never. I know things haven’t always gone smoothly in the past, but that doesn’t mean you should bar yourself from love, Kit.’

  Kit shrugged. ‘I don’t know. I think maybe I’m just not cut out to be part of a couple. And even if I was, this guy is all wrong for me.’

  ‘In what way?’

  ‘I don’t know. He’s pretty straight-laced, conservative even. He’s the squeaky clean type, one who wears a suit and tie every day.’

  ‘Sounds all right to me. Better than the scruffy layabouts you’re usually attracted to.’

  ‘I don’t know about that. I’m afraid if I scratch the surface I
might find out he’s a Coalition voter.’

  It was Libby’s turn to roll her eyes. Not being particularly politically minded herself she’d never understood how the way someone voted could even come into consideration when choosing a partner. ‘You don’t know that, and it sounds as if he has other redeeming qualities.’

  A cheeky grin settled on Kit’s face. ‘Yeah, you could say that.’

  ‘So what’s the harm in seeing where it goes? Maybe try being honest with him.’

  Kit’s mouth formed a lopsided smile. ‘Well that’s a novel way of looking at things. Whoever heard of being honest with the opposite sex? Surely that can only lead to trouble.’

  ‘I’m serious, Kit. It sounds to me like you really like this guy. You don’t have to give him any guarantees. Just tell him that you like him and that you want to take things slowly.’

  Kit nodded carefully, as though she was weighing up all the pros and cons of such an approach. ‘Yeah, maybe.’

  ‘And if things go well we can all go out to dinner one night.’ It was a step too far. Kit looked like a deer caught in the headlights. Libby knew when it was time to back off. ‘Or not. It’s still early days.’

  For a moment there was an awkward silence, but fortunately the waiter arrived with their meals at that moment, giving them the chance to change the subject. Once they both agreed that the eggs were cooked perfectly – no taste of vinegar, which was Kit’s pet hate – and that the bacon was delicious, Libby felt they were back on an even footing.

  ‘Harry loved going to the footy with you,’ she offered, hoping to keep the good vibes going. ‘He says it’s much better watching it at the ground than on TV.’

  ‘He was quite vocal in his support last night, which surprised me a little. In a good way, though.’

  Libby nodded her agreement. ‘Yes, he’s become quite passionate. He was trying to convince me to come along to a game.’

  ‘Well, you never know, Lib, you might surprise yourself and enjoy it if you came.’

  Libby screwed up her nose. ‘I don’t know. It just seems so brutish to me, but perhaps I should come along sometime, for Harry’s sake.’

  ‘Speaking of Harry, he said last night that he’s going to board at a new school in Geelong. I have to say I was pretty shocked at that development. What happened?’

  This time Libby didn’t hesitate. Kit might not have handled the situation with the school perfectly, but she loved Harry and had his best interests at heart. There was no reason to keep the truth from her. ‘Oh God, Kit, the whole thing was a total disaster. I should never have gone to Claybourne in the state I was in – tired and angry – because I behaved like a bit of a lunatic, to be honest.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘The principal – officious prick that he is – explained the whole situation to me and then suggested Harry see the school psychologist. When I said I thought that was unnecessary he dug his heels in and suggested I reconsider my position or else we’d need to have a “conversation” about whether Claybourne was really the right school for Harry. I completely lost my shit and told him to stick his school up his arse.’

  Kit’s eyes widened. ‘You didn’t seriously say that, did you?’

  ‘Well, not in those words. But I did tell him I was pulling Harry out of the school.’

  ‘Wow.’

  ‘Yeah, I know. It was a rash decision, but honestly, Kit, that guy made me feel like the worst mother on earth. I felt like he was judging Harry, and me, unfairly. I know what I did was an overreaction, but in a way I’m not sorry. I think Braeton will be a more suitable school for Harry. He’s settling in nicely there so far and he’ll be seeing a counsellor there, so if there are any issues they’ll be attended to.’

  Kit furrowed her brow. ‘So you do think he needs counselling?’

  Libby sighed, wishing she knew the answer to this question. She’d certainly thought about it enough these past couple of weeks. ‘I honestly don’t know. If he does need help controlling his emotions then I want him to get it. You know I’m not opposed to people seeking help for their mental health, right?’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘But it felt to me like the principal at Claybourne had it in for Harry. The way he talked about Harry needing to see a psychologist – not a counsellor, mind you, a psychologist – made me feel like I’d raised a kid with massive issues, and I really don’t think that’s true. He didn’t seem to care that Harry was provoked into hitting that boy.’

  Kit remained quiet and Libby wondered if maybe Kit agreed there was something wrong with her son.

  ‘Well, what do you think? Do you think Harry has major issues?’ She paused for a second to take a sip of her coffee.

  Kit shook her head slowly. ‘Major? No, I don’t think so. But I think it might be an idea for him to chat to someone. If nothing else it will give you peace of mind.’

  Libby exhaled. ‘Yeah, I think you’re right. Apparently all the kids at Braeton see the school counsellors from time to time, so it’s not such a big deal there. It’s not like Harry will be picked on for seeing one of them. And you know what, Kit? I am a bit worried about this behaviour. I mean, what if that arrogant prick at Claybourne is right and Harry is a potential serial killer or sexual predator? I’d never forgive myself.’

  Kit looked alarmed. ‘Is that what he said?’

  Libby shook her head quickly. ‘Not in so many words, no. But he told me Harry lied to us, or at least massaged the truth. The girl he told you about, she wasn’t his girlfriend. They were just friends and Harry desperately wanted it to be more. He actually pestered the girl – verbally, not physically – and that’s what led to the punching incident.’

  Kit looked deflated. ‘Oh,’ she said, ‘I didn’t know that.’

  ‘Of course you didn’t. How could you? I was shocked when the principal told me. It’s not something I can imagine Harry doing. Even so, I still feel the principal was being overly alarmist. Well, I hope he was. At three am each morning I lie there wondering if I’m blind to my child’s faults.’

  Kit shook her head. ‘Harry’s not a monster, Lib, but he’s not perfect either. Let’s hope this move to a new school will help him to sort himself out. Sounds like they have a pretty good welfare program running at Braeton. I think you made the right decision.’

  Libby was relieved Kit saw things much the same way she did. It was all very well to have Alli’s support on this issue, but she didn’t really know Harry. It was times like these that she was grateful for Kit’s presence in her life. ‘Thanks. I really appreciate you saying that. It makes me feel so much better about everything.’

  ‘Speaking of welfare, how are you going now you’ve been here for a few of months? Are you settling in okay?’

  Libby was happy to change the subject away from Harry. ‘You know, I’m really enjoying being a lady of leisure. I’m keeping myself surprisingly busy.’

  ‘How are you getting along with the housewives?’

  ‘They’re not as bad as you think. Well, not all of them. In fact I really like Alli. She’s good fun.’

  ‘Which one’s she? The boss’s wife?’

  ‘No. She’s married to Greg, who is head of sales. They’re a really lovely couple, not stuffy at all, even though they’re obviously loaded. They have twin girls who are boarders at the same school as Harry. Alli’s lots of fun and I really feel like I can trust her. She’s been very supportive of me during this thing with Harry. One of the other women, Felicity, has kids at Claybourne and she’s a bit of a gossip, so it’s been great to have Alli’s support.’

  ‘So you’ve been busy socialising by the sound of it.’

  ‘Well, not just socialising. I’ve finally found an art class I like. Georgina told me about a community arts centre in Footscray, so we went to check it out and signed up on the spot.’

  ‘Both of you?’

 
‘Yes. Georgina’s quite artistic too.’

  ‘Really? Well, I suppose she has time to dabble in that sort of thing even if she’s not a serious artist like you. So long as having her there doesn’t cramp your style.’

  Kit had hit on a sore point; having Georgina in the class was problematic. On the day they’d visited the centre, Libby had thought she was just coming along for the ride – they’d decided to pop over to Highpoint shopping centre as well as the community arts centre. But once they were there and Libby had chosen a course, Georgina had put her name down too. Sharing the class with Georgina – or any of her friends – wasn’t ideal, but once she’d signed up it was awkward to withdraw on the spot. She resolved to give the class a few weeks and then make up some excuse, but as it turned out Georgina appeared to be struggling in the advanced group. Libby was hopeful she’d eventually admit defeat and stop going.

  Even though Kit was right about Georgina cramping her style, Libby felt compelled to defend her friend. She was well aware of Kit’s opinion that the Arcadia women were little more than airheaded trophy wives. ‘Georgina has quite a full life, as a matter of fact. The company hosts two huge charity events each year. Georgina’s the driving force behind both functions and all the women I’ve met are heavily involved in organising them.’

  Kit looked less than impressed. ‘Yeah, I think you’ve mentioned the fundraising events before, but I’ve forgotten the details.’

  ‘There’s a golf day at the end of the year that raises money for homeless youth – I’m on the committee for that one – and there’s also a Christmas in July ball that raises money for SIDS.’ Libby knew that she didn’t have to spell out the fact that this was a cause close to her heart.

  Kit nodded her understanding. ‘Speaking of July, I really want to talk to you about our trip to Paris. We need to get onto booking something soon. We’ll be going at a popular time of year and I don’t want to miss out on getting a good apartment.’

  Libby’s breakfast churned uncomfortably in her stomach. She’d put off this conversation for as long as she could, but it was clear she could delay it no longer. She put down her coffee and looked Kit in the eyes. ‘Kit, I’m so sorry, but I just don’t think I can go to Paris now, not with everything that’s been going on with Harry.’