Love, Rosie (134 page)

I
couldn’t
afford
two
classes
a
week.
The
duties
of
motherhood
call,
and

all
that.

Ruby
does
insist
that
it’s
not
as
much
fun
without
me,
because
she
has
to

dance
with
tutu-wearing
Miss
Behave,
a
six-foot-tall
drag
queen
with
the

longest
legs
and
blond
hair
who’s
trying
to
learn
salsa
for
her
show
on
down

at
the
local
gay
club.

Anyway,
Ruby
and
I
are
really
enjoying
ourselves,
and
I
find
myself

looking
forward
to
the
next
class
the
minute
it
finishes.
Ruby’s
delighted

because
she’s
losing
a
bit
of
weight
(she’s
losing
pebbles
apparently,
not

stones).
It’s
nice
to
find
a
hobby,
something
that
excites
you
and
makes
you

look
forward
to
the
week
ahead
instead
of
constantly
dreading
days.
I
hope

you’re
having
some
sort
of
life,
Alex,
and
that
you’re
not
overworking
your-

self.
Go
on
any
dates
recently?

204

from
:

to
:

Alex

Rosie

Dating?

Cecelia
Ahern

subject
:

I
might
have
.
.
.

You
have
an
instant
message
from:
ROSIE

Rosie:

Alex:

Rosie:

Alex:

Rosie:

Alex:

Rosie:

Alex:

Rosie:

Alex:

I’m
all
ears
now.
Anyone
I
know?

Then
again
I
might
not
have
.
.
.

Stop
it!
Who’s
the
unlucky
girl?
Do
I
know
her?

Maybe
.
.
.

Oh
please
tell
me
it’s
anyone
but
slutty
Bethany.

Well
I
better
rush
off
because
I
have
to
get
ready
for
tonight.
Take

care,
Buttercup.

You
got
a
date?

Maybe
.
.
.
then
again
.
.
.

Yeah,
yeah
I
get
it,
maybe
not
.
.
.
Well
whatever
you’re
doing
enjoy

it.
But
not
too
much.

I
wouldn’t
dare
dream
of
it!

You
have
an
instant
message
from:
ROSIE

Rosie:

Ruby:

Rosie:

Ruby:

Rosie:

Ruby:

Rosie:

Ruby:

Rosie:

Ruby:

Was
just
instant
messaging
Alex
a
few
seconds
ago.

Yeah?
That’s
very
interesting,
Rosie.

Yep.

Well?
Did
he
say
anything
interesting?

No.
We
were
just
catching
up
on
old
times,
you
know
how
it
is.

Good
for
you
both.
You
and
Greg
have
any
plans
for
tonight,
then?

He’s
going
on
a
date,
Ruby.

Who
is?
Greg
is?

No!
Alex.

Oh
are
we
still
talking
about
him?
Who’s
he
going
out
with?

love,
rosie

205

Rosie:

Ruby:

Rosie:

Ruby:

Rosie:

Ruby:

Rosie:

I
don’t
know.
He
wouldn’t
tell
me.

Well
he’s
allowed
to
have
a
private
life
isn’t
he?

Yeah,
I
suppose.

And
it’s
good
that
he’s
able
to
finally
move
on
after
having
his
heart