My Year of Saying No - Maxine Morrey Page 0,52

out to us and watching a sports channel. ‘They’re not my thing either. I don’t really have any desire to play games called “Who’s got the dirty nappy?”’

‘Do you want me to pick you up on the way so we can go together? Strength in numbers?’

‘Thanks, but I’m not going.’

Jess sat up. ‘What?’

I shrugged, stroking Humphrey, marvelling at how quickly he had become an indispensable part of my life and how much I loved this little fuzzy ball of fur. ‘I’m not going.’

‘What… how…?’

‘I said no.’

‘You said no?’ Jess screwed up her face at this apparently impossible concept.

‘Yep.’

‘And she just… accepted that?’

‘I guess so. I was polite about it. I told her I’d see them all once she’s had the baby, which is what I’d planned to do anyway.’

‘Wow.’

‘What?’

‘You’re really doing it.’

‘What?’

‘This year of saying no.’

I frowned. ‘I am. Most definitely. Why? Did you think I wouldn’t?’

Jess gave a little shrug. ‘I just know how much you hate upsetting anyone. You’re a people-pleaser.’

‘Which is probably how I got roped into that bloody year of saying yes last year.’

‘I think the bottles of wine we got through probably helped.’

‘True.’

‘But look what came out of it!’ Jess grinned, flashing the huge diamond on her left hand.

‘Yes. I think we’ve already established it was good for you.’

‘Wasn’t it for you? I thought you were mucking about when you moaned all the time.’

‘I didn’t moan all the time!’ I said, offended. ‘But it was way out of my comfort zone and I can’t say I was sorry when it was finally over.’

‘But didn’t you get anything out of it?’

‘I got to spend some fun times with you. I got to see you made incredibly happy and I also got the inspiration to stop all that people-pleasing and say no sometimes. We spend all this time rushing around, saying yes to things we don’t really want to, then feeling upset and annoyed that there’s no time left for us to do the things we actually want to.’

‘Very true,’ Harry added.

‘I thought you were watching telly.’ Jess lolled her head back to look at her fiancé.

‘I am. But, contrary to popular opinion, I am capable of doing two things at once.’

Jess gave me a look that suggested she disagreed.

‘And I saw that too.’

I gave Harry a smirk, and he caught my eye, giving me a wink in return.

‘Anyway. The upshot of all this is that now I don’t even have you there to keep me company on Saturday,’ Jess stated, a little sulkily.

I gave her a what-can-you-do look and she let out a dramatic sigh and flung herself back against Harry, who rubbed her arm soothingly, his eyes back on the screen. He was a quick learner.

‘Can’t you say you’ve changed your mind?’ Jess whined.

‘Nope. Because I haven’t.’

She let out a huff. ‘I’m not sure I’m such a fan of this saying no thing.’

‘You were when you didn’t realise it was going to apply to you too,’ Harry said quietly.

‘I’m leaving you at home next time,’ Jess pouted at him.

‘Lottie invited us both.’

‘Yes, but I have final say.’

‘Actually, it’s my flat and my food, so I do. And Harry’s agreeing with me, so he’s definitely invited again.’

‘Ugh! I know I said I wanted you two to be friends, but this is ridiculous!’

I swung my legs to the front, reluctantly dislodging Humphrey, who made a small leap to the floor and then began stretching elaborately as if to point out to me how comfy he’d been, having apparently picked up some drama cues from my best friend. Getting up, I took Jess’ wine glass from her and gave her a hug.

‘So, what are you doing instead?’ she asked, padding after me into the kitchen, where I refilled her glass and flicked the kettle on to make Harry another tea.

‘I’m going to pick up my new car.’

Jess straightened, her attention focused like a dog that’s just spotted the possibility of a cheese snack. ‘With Seb?’

‘No, I’m going to the garage on my own.’

The proverbial cheese was back in the fridge.

‘Oh.’

‘But I’m supposed to be seeing him after.’

Cheese!

‘Supposed to be?’ Jess raised a perfect brow.

‘Well. Yes. I am. I think. He’s suggested I bring Humphrey so we can take the dogs on a ramble together. It’s obviously quite a distance, so he’s invited us to stay over.’

She tilted her head. ‘What’s going on?’ her voice was softer now, the drama gone, replaced by concern.

I flicked off the kettle and poured water over a teabag, prodding it occasionally with a