Second Chance - Jane Green [105]
A muted cheer goes up as three mugs approach Paul, who pours copious amounts into each. ‘Probably better to finish it,’ he muses, tipping the last drops in. ‘I’ll take it outside when we’re done so she doesn’t find it.’
‘I have to say I was stunned at how drunk she was,’ Olivia says quietly. ‘I remember her partying at school and getting drunk then, but somehow you sort of expect that from teenagers. It’s been years since I’ve seen someone sway and slur their words.’
‘I think what stunned me most was how drunk she was in so short a time,’ Holly says. ‘Wasn’t she gone only about forty minutes? How much do you have to drink in forty minutes to get that drunk? Did she have an IV of vodka or something?’
‘Pretty much, apparently. The barman said she was drinking vodka martinis like they were water. And through a straw.’
‘Oh great. How to get shit-faced in five easy minutes.’ Holly rolls her eyes. ‘A straw? Who drinks martinis through a straw?’
‘Someone who wants to get shit-faced in five easy minutes.’ Paul grins.
‘I do feel a little out of my depth here,’ Anna says quietly. ‘I thought it was funny when she first showed up, and understandable after what she’s been through, but I had no idea she’s an alcoholic. I’m really worried about how she’s going to cope. I for one certainly don’t know what to do or how to help her.’
‘I was reading up about interventions,’ Holly says. ‘When you tell the alcoholic what it’s like living with them and what they’re like when they’re drunk, but the thing is none of us really know, so it seems a bit pointless. It’s not like we’re present in her life and see the difference. I feel a bit helpless too.’
Paul unbuttons his jacket, followed by the others as the fire starts to give off some serious heat. ‘Isn’t the first step of these programmes to learn that you’re powerless over alcohol? And I think there’s something about being powerless over the alcoholic. I think there’s probably nothing we can actually do to stop her drinking, but perhaps she’ll want to stop herself. She’s done it before so I’m sure she can do it again.’
‘You mean just sit here and watch her get shit-faced all the time?’
‘No. I think we should all do our best to keep her away from alcohol as much as we can, but I also think we shouldn’t judge her if she slips. We should support her as much as possible.’
‘What about keeping her busy?’ Anna pipes up. ‘I think we should get her working on the house.’
Olivia bursts out laughing. ‘What? “Saffron? Would you just climb up and retile the roof while you’re here? Saffron, I see you sitting around with nothing to do, would you mind just building some kitchen cabinets?”’
They all laugh, but Holly says, ‘Actually I think it’s a brilliant idea. I know we were joking about your evil plan to recruit your friends for slave labour, but I think the best thing we could do for Saffron is to keep her busy, and I wouldn’t mind keeping busy myself. The worst thing for me right now is to have hours and hours of time to think about the state of my life.’
Paul looks at her quizzically.
‘Long story, Paul. Short version is, I think my marriage is over, which is probably a huge blessing in disguise. Anna can give you the details later. I’m a bit talked out for today, if that’s okay.’
‘That’s okay,’ Paul says, sympathy in his eyes. ‘I’m sorry.’
‘Liar!’ Anna kicks him and Holly laughs.
‘I mean, I’m sorry if Holly’s in pain.’
‘I’m very much not in pain, and don’t be sorry. Right now I still feel liberated. Ask me again in the morning.’
‘Speaking of morning,’ Olivia stretches, ‘I’m completely exhausted. Would anyone mind if we brought the beds down now? I don’t think I can keep my eyes open for another second.’
At five in the morning Holly is wide awake. It takes her a while to orient herself – too many people breathing, too cold, where