The Art of Friendship

by Lisa Ireland

  Or maybe not.

  Perhaps the art of friendship lay in accepting that not every secret had to be shared.

  Libby’s smile broadened as she continued. ‘So, part of my new “looking after Libby” program is taking holidays with my friends. Please tell me you’ll at least think about Paris?’

  Kit shook her head. It wasn’t just that the gift was over-the-top. She realised that if she was to go to Paris anytime soon, she didn’t want it to be with Libby. Something had shifted between them this past year and their friendship had changed.

  Libby was part of her history, there was no changing that, and she would always be part of Kit’s life for that reason, but after what had happened between them Kit knew things could never be the same as they once were. And that was fine. It didn’t mean the friendship was over; it just meant it was evolving into something new. ‘I’m sorry, Lib, I can’t. Things are okay between us now and I don’t want to risk changing that. I love you and you’ll always be part of my life, but I think this year we’ve learned that we do better as friends when there’s a little distance between us.’

  Libby looked crestfallen. ‘I just want things back the way they were.’

  Kit’s chest burned with emotion, but she was resolute. ‘The way they were when? When we both pushed down our feelings of anger and resentment of each other and pretended everything was okay? You have to admit that wasn’t serving either of us very well. Before our birthday party our relationship had become toxic, but neither of us wanted to admit that. We’re in our forties now. It’s time to grow up.’

  ‘Why does growing up have to mean leaving each other behind?’

  ‘It doesn’t. It just means giving each other some space. I’ll always be here for you if you need me, Lib, but it’s time we both branched out a little.’

  Libby nodded, but there were tears dripping down her cheeks.

  Kit felt tears welling in her own eyes, but she blinked them away and plastered a smile on her face. In her heart she knew this wasn’t the end for them, but a new beginning. ‘Cheer up. I’m not saying I’ll never consider going on holidays with you again. Why don’t we revisit the idea when we turn fifty?’

  Libby winced. ‘I don’t want to even think about fifty right now.’

  ‘Fair enough. Look, I might not be able to take you up on the Paris offer but I don’t mind accepting the rest of this lovely gift. Stuff the tea. Why don’t we crack open the Moët? You can always get a cab home.’

  Libby laughed and wiped the tears away with the backs of her hands. ‘Sounds good to me.’

  Epilogue

  One year later

  The minute she entered the hotel room Libby pulled her shoes off. ‘Oh, that feels so good. My feet are killing me. I can’t remember the last time I walked so much.’

  Felicity laughed. ‘I know what you mean, but it was totally worth it.’ She dumped her numerous shopping bags on Libby’s bed and flopped down in an armchair. ‘Jeremy will have a heart attack when he sees what I’ve racked up on the credit card today.’

  Libby shook her head. ‘He won’t care. I remember his last words at the airport were, “You girls have fun.” That doesn’t sound like a man who is worried about a credit card bill.’

  Felicity laughed. ‘I guess he didn’t expect me to visit New York and not spend any money.’ She looked at her watch. ‘Good grief, it’s nearly five o’clock. I know I said I’d have a drink with you, but I think I’d better go back to my room and start getting ready for tonight. The show starts at seven. I have to have a shower and do my hair. You don’t mind, do you?’

  ‘Of course not. I want to check my email anyway.’

  Felicity collected her shopping bags and kissed Libby’s cheek. ‘Thanks for a wonderful afternoon, darling. It’s only our second day here but I’ve already had the most fun I can remember. I’m so happy you invited me.’

  Libby smiled. ‘Me too.’

  It was the truth. Twelve months ago she could never have imagined taking a trip with Felicity and enjoying herself, but a lot had changed since then. At first Kit’s withdrawal from her life left a gaping hole. It seemed just as she’d finally come to appreciate the worth of their friendship it was gone. And she knew she had no one to blame for that but herself. She’d taken Kit’s love for granted, not cherished it the way she should have. She accepted that it was too late to undo her neglect, but resolved not to make the same mistake again. So when Felicity edged her way into Libby’s life, she was grateful. They’d started to bond the night of the ball and things evolved from there. They allowed the friendship to evolve slowly, taking the time to get to know each other, letting the trust between them develop gradually. Felicity was not a replacement for Kit, of course – no one could ever fill those shoes – but it was nice to have a friend to confide in, especially now Alli was not on the scene. It was Felicity who’d encouraged her to write to Kit, like the way she’d done when they were kids. And so she did.

  She poured out her heart in letters that in some ways were more like journal entries than letters to a friend. It took a little while, but eventually Kit replied via email. In true Kit style her reply was brief. Good to hear from you. I’m well and happy. Hope you are too.

  It was a start.

  Libby pulled out her iPad and waited for her mail to load, and as she did she noticed a message from Cam.

  Hope you and Felicity are having fun. I’m missing you already. I spoke to Harry yesterday, he said to remind you to get him a Yankees baseball cap if you can, and to tell you he’s gone up a shoe size this term, just in case you were thinking of buying him new runners . . .

  Oh, and an invitation came in the mail today. I thought you might like to see it. xxx

  She clicked on the photo he’d sent to enlarge it.

  Dear Libby, Cameron and Harry,

  We’d love you to join us to celebrate the purchase of our new home!

  We’re having a house-warming party at

  12 Cooper Street, Williamstown

  on

  Saturday November 3rd

  From 3pm

  RSVP 20 October

  From Kit, John, Hugo and Buffy.

  Libby went to the window and looked out at the Manhattan skyline. She thought about her friend half a world away and smiled.

  Acknowledgements

  Writing this book took me on a journey that was uncomfortable for part of the ride. I owe a debt of gratitude to all those who supported me as I struggled to make sense of an idea that was slippery yet tenacious.

  Huge and heartfelt thanks to my agent, Haylee Nash, for her unwavering support and for believing in me more than I believe in myself.

  Thanks to everyone at Pan Macmillan Australia for being so lovely to work with. Special mention to Cate Paterson and Georgia Douglas for their patience with me as I grappled with the edits on this book. I’m also deeply grateful to out-of-house editors Brianne Collins and Jo Jarrah for their assistance in moulding my raw material into a publishable book.

  Where would I be without my writing friends? There are too many to list them all but I would like to make special mention of the people who gave me specific help with this book.

  My Writer’s Camp friends (in alphabetical order!); Rachael Johns, Amanda Knight, Emily Madden and Beck Nicholas, thanks for your daily support. Without you this gig would be no fun at all.

  Delwyn Jenkins, thanks for our writers’ dates – long may they continue. Thanks also to Nicki Edwards and Alli Sinclair for your friendship and moral support. And Vanessa Carnevale, thanks for your ongoing encouragement and support. It’s been an absolute pleasure working with you these past few months.

  Sally Hepworth, you make me laugh on a daily basis. Thanks for buoying my spirits during the editing process.

  Tess Woods, thanks for always having my back no matter what and for helping me to find the silver lining.


  The participants at our October writing retreat in Daylesford reinvigorated me and made me remember what I love about writing. Thanks Carla, Claire, Ida, Jane, Jay, and Leanne for being so inspiring. (Thanks also to Ida’s cat, Hugo, for allowing me to use his name.)

  Thanks to all my non-writing friends and family for helping to keep me sane. Special mention to Fiona Newman, John Fastuca, Jenelle Moore, Linda Thompson, Lisa Taverna, Wendy Bort, Ligia Pelosi and Tracey Kelly for still being around after all these years!

  To all my readers, thanks so much for your ongoing support. I really love all your emails, messages, and comments on social media. Big shout out to Tammi Munro for her help in giving John Quinlan his name. Thanks so much, Tammi. I think the name is perfect for my character!

  Tony, Ivy, and all the wonderful staff at Groove, you guys are the real heroes in this story. Without you this book would truly not exist. Thanks for being the best baristas a girl could ever hope for.

  Last but not least, love and thanks to my family, David, Charlie, Will, Alex and Miss Lulu. Thanks for putting up with months of me working seven days a week. I know I’m not a domestic goddess, so thanks for picking up the slack. One of these days I’ll pay you back. Somehow . . .

  About Lisa Ireland

  Lisa Ireland lives on the Victorian coast with her husband and three sons. After working for many years as a primary school teacher, Lisa is now a full-time writer.

  Lisa is passionate about art and travel and has a strong interest in human rights: she is an active supporter of several human rights organisations including the Combined Refugee Action Group, which provides assistance for refugees in her local region. When she’s not writing she can be found drinking coffee with friends or wandering along the beach with her extremely disobedient but totally loveable dog Lulu.

  Find out more about Lisa on her website, lisairelandbooks.com.

  Also by Lisa Ireland

  The Shape of Us

  More By Lisa Ireland

  The Shape of Us

  ‘A wonderful story, full of emotional depth and heart.’ Rachael Johns

  FOUR DIFFERENT WOMEN. THE SAME BIG PROBLEM. ONE MAGICAL SOLUTION?

  Mezz is overweight and overworked: she’s convinced it’s only a matter of time until her husband starts to stray.

  Jewels is fat and fabulous, but if she wants the baby she craves, the Tim Tams have to go.

  Ellie’s life looks perfect to her London friends on Facebook: she keeps her waistline out of the photos and her loneliness to herself.

  Kat will do anything to keep her daughter Ami happy and safe. If she can just lose that baby weight, she’s sure Ami’s dad will stick around.

  In this heartwarming, heartbreaking story, four women who meet online in a weight loss forum learn that losing weight might not be the key to happiness, but believing in the ones you love – and yourself – just might be.

  ‘Lisa Ireland gets right to the heart of female friendship, exploring topics every woman can relate to.’ Rachael Johns, author of The Greatest Gift

  ‘Every so often a book comes along which captures your thoughts so well it could have been written with you in mind. The Shape of Us is a thought-provoking and perceptive glance into the lives of women (and men) grappling with confidence and self-image problems and the impact it has on their lives.’ Queensland Times

  ‘The Shape of Us is a heart-warming, heart-breaking tale of women’s friendship.’ Daily Examiner

  ‘Will make you both laugh and cry . . . Lisa Ireland believes people are worth so much more than numbers on a scale or what clothing they can fit into – and her book shows how important that is.’ The Weekly Times

  ‘A highly relatable story on many levels . . . ultimately, a book about friendship and support.’ Beauty & Lace

  SARA TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHY

  This is a work of fiction. Characters, institutions and organisations mentioned in this novel are either the product of the author’s imagination or, if real, used fictitiously without any intent to describe actual conduct.

  First published 2018 in Macmillan by Pan Macmillan Australia Pty Ltd

  1 Market Street, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 2000

  Copyright © Lisa Ireland 2018

  The moral right of the author to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted.

  All rights reserved. This publication (or any part of it) may not be reproduced or transmitted, copied, stored, distributed or otherwise made available by any person or entity (including Google, Amazon or similar organisations), in any form (electronic, digital, optical, mechanical) or by any means (photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise) without prior written permission from the publisher.

  This ebook may not include illustrations and/or photographs that may have been in the print edition.

  The author and the publisher have made every effort to contact copyright holders for material used in this book. Any person or organisation that may have been overlooked should contact the publisher.

  Cataloguing-in-Publication entry is available

  from the National Library of Australia

  http://catalogue.nla.gov.au

  EPUB format: 9781760780388

  Typeset by Post Pre-press Group

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