I stare at the screen.
Emma:It’s three days.
Hannah:And?
Emma:Away.
Clara:Babe this is life changing!
Emma:I just don’t think Dan will cope. And also, I don’t know if I can even do this. I’m so out of practice with writing!
Lou:Emma! Don’t you do that.
Abigail:Absolutely not.
Hannah:Do not shrink yourself in this group chat.
Emma:I’m not shrinking.
Clara:You’re absolutely shrinking.
Lou:You’ve rebuilt your marriage. You didn’t rebuild it to stay small.
Abigail:Also Dan is not a Victorian father incapable of boiling pasta.
I huff out a laugh.
Me:OK It’s not that he can’t manage. It’s that I don’t know who I am if I’m not managing. And what will happen if I don’t. What might go wrong.
There it is. The real fear.
Three dots appear.
Hannah:You’re Emma. Journalist. Wife. Mum. Woman with ambition.
Clara:You’re not the admin assistant of your own life.
Lou:Also if you don’t go I will personally book a fake press pass and show up in Milan in your place.
Abigail:Same but I will wear something inappropriate and embarrass you professionally.
I smile, I love these girls.
Emma:I’m scared.
Hannah:Of failing?
Emma:Of succeeding.
That one sits there.
Lou:Ah.
Clara:Okay. That’s real.
Abigail:You’re allowed to want more.
Hannah:And you’re allowed to trust your husband to handle three days.
