‘Wait – what?’ The shock was audible in his voice.
‘Tomorrow’s my last day.’
As they lay there side by side, Alice wondered if she’d be able to find a way to imprint every sensation of her friend on to her skin. How could she keep this moment for ever?
‘No way! That’s gone quickly!’
‘I know, and so tomorrow we are celebrating. I’ve already told Alice here that it’s not going to be a day of crying and commiserating. It’s not a final farewell – it’s just a temporary goodbye. So guess what? We are going to have a goddam party, OK?’ As she spoke, her voice grew louder and louder, until she was practically preaching her demands.
‘A party?’ Sharon called eagerly from across the ward. ‘Did someone say party?’
Alice rolled her eyes at Sarah.
‘Look what you’ve done,’ she hissed.
‘Don’t you worry, Sharon, no one in their right mind would think about having a party without inviting you. Nothing could get in the way of you and some Lambrini, and anyone that thinks otherwise is an idiot! We all know that,’ Alfie shouted back.
‘Too right!’ she remarked, clearly content with Alfie’s flattery.
‘You can thank me tomorrow, ladies, with an invite to this exclusive party of yours,’ he whispered.
With that, his wonderfully familiar hand burst through the curtains and he gave them a quick thumbs up.
‘You’re a smug bastard, aren’t you, Alfie.’ Sarah laughed.
‘Wouldn’t have me any other way though, would you?’
Alice smiled.
Not in a million years.
*
Sarah hadn’t been joking when she said they were going to celebrate. She arrived the next morning hidden under bags of food and drink.
‘Marks and Spencer’s finest party collection! Don’t say I don’t treat you.’ Alice rolled her eyes. ‘And don’t you dare look at me like that, young lady. I told you we were celebrating.’
Alice knew there was no point in arguing. Sarah did as Sarah wanted.
‘Salmon blini?’ She stuck the plate right under her nose.
‘Absolutely not.’
‘Don’t tell me you’re too good for a canapé?’
‘Sarah, it’s half ten in the morning.’
‘And?’
Her entire being flooded with love as she watched her friend shove three little pancakes into her mouth at once.
‘You go wild, I’ll join you later.’
‘Well’ – her mouth was still half full of salmon and cream cheese – ‘how about a little Buck’s Fizz then?’
Alice stared in disbelief as Sarah pulled five mini bottles out of her handbag. ‘You absolutely cannot be serious – right now?’
‘I am deadly serious. And guess what? These are just for starters! Look in that bag over there.’
