Here is part two of my new book. From now on, I’ll make occasional notes about changes and ideas. My notes might seem random at first, but as you read on, you’ll see how I have used ideas that start out as a short mention in my notes.

NOTE: Zoe is now called Sofia, Fia for short. / Someone reminds her of an old friend or a cousin. Carry this through the story to use later / Is there a pregnancy early in the book? What use would it serve in progressing the story? Maybe as a parallel to the group growth and development? Group collaboration book of stories as well as their own writing? I like this idea.

Fia drove right up to the house and parked next to the kitchen. She went straight in and checked the big fridge, sighing with relief at the sight of the gorgeous black and white birthday cake.

“It’s there,” River said. He took two bottles of champagne out of the fridge and closed the door with his elbow. “You didn’t trust me Fifi,”

“Hey, don’t call me Fifi, and the only person I trust is myself,” Fia said. “Is that all of the champers?”

River laughed and pointed to a smaller fridge with a glass door.

“Oh, that should do us,” Fia said, and she gave River her best smile, the one normally saved for social media and job interviews. “I need to unpack my car,”

“No, no,” River said. “Hey Jack, Callum, get in here and help.”

“I can,” Fia got out before River waved her to silence and pointed the guys out to her car.

“Hi Fia,” Callum said, hugging her as he walked past.

“Fifi,” Jack laughed at her frown. “I know, I know, it’s Fia or bog off. Which car’s yours? I was in the middle of a very promising convo in there, thanks Riv, the sparkly blonde with the teeth.”

“Forget about her,” River shared a grin with Fia. “Not your type at all, mate. It’s the red Ford Focus. Unlocked,” he looked to Fia.

“Yes,” she said.

“Type? I don’t have a type.” Jack stepped outside.

“He doesn’t have a type,” River said.

“No, not at all,” Fia laughed. “I’m going to find the girls.”

“Later then,” River said.

“Later, Riv,” Fia said, meaning it.

The girls were sitting around a large stone table out on the back patio, and they were enthusiastic in their waving to Fia to come join them.

“How did you get here before me?” Fia said and she realised she hadn’t grabbed a drink on her way out.

“Ruby drove,” Mia lifted her glass in Ruby’s direction. Fia nodded. That would explain it.

“Cosmo?” A cocktail appeared at Fia’s elbow.

“Oh my god yeah, and keep ‘em coming,” she turned to see who knew she was a Cosmopolitan girl and found Zachary Pratt smiling down at her. “Thanks, Zach,”

Ruby and Mia looked at her with raised eyebrows, and F rolled her eyes at them. She lifted her Cosmo and said “Cheers to Ash for making it to thirty,”

“Cheers,”

At six o’clock, caterers turned up and served a seafood spread on Fia’s trestle tables which had been set up against the back of the house.

“Is it too late to hope this will soak up the champagne?” Alice said, holding up a king prawn.

“For you? Definitely,” Ruby said, giving Alice the side eyes.

“Hey,” Alice said. “Do you want to wear this drink?”

“Only if you can spare it,” Ruby laughed.

NOTE TO SELF: Start making connections between characters and their upcoming style of writing for better flow. Fia has part of a manuscript in a file in her laptop, and that’s her writing secret. Ruby is a blogger with a bit of a following for her wild ideas and brutal judgements. So she can be pretty blunt with the friends. There will be conflict among the characters, so get ready for that and don’t feel like you have to resolve it immediately. You know you do that. Time to start the book encyclopaedia. Link to what that is here.

NOTE: There will be more story writing almost every day from now on.