HOLLIE HOPKIRK:
DAWN WITHEY:
Dawn settled down on the other end of the sofa. Sheâd thought so much about this conversation, written her own versions of it over and over in her mind, built it all up, ripped it all down. Prepared for the worst yet remained so, so hopeful. But now here it was, here they were, and all of that was gone. Her stream had finally hit a dam, all that trickled through was focused on Hollie.
âOf course ââ her words came out at the same time as Pandoraâs, and it caused a soft smile to cross her features. More hope. She doubted a lot of things these days, but sheâd never doubted this. She picked up her own cup of tea now, ready to listen, ready to be there.
¡
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âThis, this, um, this alcohol thing isâ Oh, sheâs a real tricky bitch.â A laugh released from her throat. She began to laugh until her throat went dry. âThe deep shit Iâve gotten myself into so carelessly⌠I think Iâve ruined a family.â Hers, this one on Holyhead, or the poor, poor Parkinsons â sheâd have to be more specific. âIâd been sleeping with my boss, you know, the man I was nannying for. Thatâs over, but itâs not over. I donât know that Iâve even faced those repercussions, there are so many to face, but his wife knows, his daughter. But Iâm not drinking anymore. I donât know, doesnât that sound so pale in comparison? Iâve home-wrecked a real family, written off my own family and friends. Written off myself. But hey, Iâm not drinking alcohol.âÂ
Hollie relieved the ache of her heart with a deep, warm sip of familiar tea. Dawn had always prepared it just as she needed, definitely with a spoonful of love that calmed Hollie to the core. It would do no good to shame herself in these times, even as ashamed as she felt. Even if was blanketed around her frame like a cocoon that would not easily free her. With a sense of courage that she had to dig beyond the surface for, she raised her line of vision and kept eye contact with her best friends. Theyâd understand or theyâd help. Neither was doubted any longer.
âIâve been so horrible, but I donât want to be anymore,â she left it at that, somehow revealing her soul without a single tear. âI think I have it in me to become better than I was, if youâll both have me, that is. Iâm going to need you two more than you know.â
¡
Pandora could feel the tears well up in her own eyes â but she would not cry. Not when Hollie wasnât. She couldnât reframe this conversation to centre around her. Instead she swallowed hard and reached for her friendsâ hands â not taking, just extending her own so they knew what she silently asked.
âYouâre not horrible,â Pandora said quietly. âNo one whoâs really, truly horrible could want to be better. Andââ her voice gave way, against her will ââand of course Iâll always have you, Hol. And youâll always have me. And Iâm so proud of you, about the drinking.â
@dawnwitheyy














