ALICE CARVER'S JOURNAL

A short story by Hannah Lake

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Wednesday 4 June 10.40pm. Good things really do happen to good people - thank you, Universe! Earlier this evening I was relaxing in the kitchen while my nails were drying, reading an article in a weekend magazine about a new, very exclusive spa in the Cotswolds, and then wondering if I could manifest a spa experience because no way could I afford those prices, when Astrid came in, looking even grumpier than usual.

"Astrid," I said, "you don’t want to frown like that all the time - you'll give yourself..."

“Do not say wrinkles, Alice," snapped Astrid.

“I was going to say a headache,” I lied, watching those eleven lines get even deeper.

“I've already got one,” she said. “I need Nurofen.”

“Don’t immediately reach for the pills,” I said, jumping up. I'd finished the last of Astrid’s Nurofen last night as a preventative hangover cure. “Why don’t I make you a cup of tea first?”

"Why are you being nice?"

“Astrid!” I said, as I pushed her into my hastily vacated chair. “Sisters don’t need a reason to be nice to one another. Relax and read about this gorgeous spa!”

“I'm not funding a spa membership. I'm already giving you discounted rent.”

“Oh my God," I said. “Like I'd ask you for a spa membership. I was thinking more along the lines of a spa day.” But Astrid was still on one. “Is that my nail varnish you’ve spilt on my paper?”

“Here you go,” I said, handing her a cup of tea and rising above the jibes.

“I take it white.”

"Dairy’s bad for headaches,” I said, wisely.

“For goodness sake, Alice. Have you finished off the milk again?”

“Of course not,” I said, surreptitiously moving my empty milk glass into the sink. “You know I'm paleo.”

“Stop taking my stuff if you want to stay living here,” said Astrid, pushing her tea away. “I’m off for a bath. And if I find out you haven't replaced my bath oil...”

“Of course I replaced it.”