Will You Stay Another Day?

Prologue

As she sat on the swing, Em stared down at her ripped psychedelic tie-dye trousers that lay on top of her Doc Martens. ‘Do you think Vegas is ready for a punter not dressed in a tux or sparkles?’

Lili put down her laptop bag, collapsed onto the swing next to her and squinted through the night. ‘It’s not exactly our usual kind of holiday, but we deserve a luxury break with food we aren’t likely to gag on.’

‘Come on, Lili, you loved that corn fungus I got you to try when we backpacked around Mexico. It must have been a bug that made you sick.’

‘Ha! You told me it was truffle!’ Lili swung forwards and backwards, propelled by her feet and indignation.

Em’s laugh rang through the air.

Oh.

How lovely.

Lili’s heart lifted.

She’d missed that sound, in recent months, when Em had drifted through each day like a deflated balloon. Lili glanced sideways as Em soared into sky, higher and higher, against the backdrop of frosty starlight. Vegas had been Lili’s suggestion, a project she’d hoped would cheer up her housemate.

Her soulmate.

Maybe the worst times were over for Em. They must have been if she was prepared to go to that houseboat party tomorrow and prove to lowlife Sean that she was living her best life.

Em didn’t want Lili to go with her, insisting she needed to show Sean she was an empowered, strong, independent woman, who wasn’t going to let a broken heart break her spirit.

‘Remember how we used to jump off the swing whilst it was still moving when we were little?’ asked Em.

‘Only when our parents weren’t around.’

‘After three.’ Em counted down and, whooping, the two of them plunged onto the ground. Good thing it was soft tarmac.

‘Aaah! I think I’ve twisted my ankle,’ said Lili, having landed right next to Em with a groan.

‘Oh, God. I can’t… breathe…’ Em sat up and placed a hand on her chest. She jumped to her feet, pulled up Lili and they both grinned. ‘I keep waiting for us to grow up.’

‘Paying rent and the bills on time, holding down jobs, hardly ever getting drunk, cooking from scratch and mowing the lawn… I’d say the wait’s over.’ Lili picked up her laptop bag. ‘Well, I mean, almost. Racing doesn’t count. Last one back to the cottage makes the hot chocolates.’

‘Lili, I don’t think so. As you’ve just proved, we aren’t children any more,’ said Em haughtily before her eyes twinkled and she began to run.

‘Oi! That’s a false start!’ hollered Lili.

It was good to see the old Em back.

Things would get better now.

Forget running after her friend; Lili skipped all the way.