Dear Sarah,
Even when divorces are easy, they’re still terrible and, when you came into my life, I never imagined you could become someone who would mean so much to me.
I had no idea what a great person you are. I could tell my children liked you, though, and, actually, that was nice. I wanted them to be happy when they were with you. They’d come home and say, ‘Sarah makes the best roast potatoes’, and I’d roll up my sleeves and get competitive. It turns out they were saying the same to you about me though, of course.
When I wrote Space Hopper, I dreamt of having my book published and was full of hope. I didn’t realize you were such a great reader, and when you asked to read it and told me you loved it, you gave me the confidence to send it to agents.
But I got so many rejections. I thought, ‘That’s it. Nobody wants it’. Two months later, you sent me a message saying you’d read a book that gave you the same feeling as mine had. The very next day I picked up that book, looked at the agent in the back and thought, ‘Right, one more try’. The agent took my book, and you made that happen.
When I’m stressed, you’re the first person I call. When my daughter was going through a difficult time, I’m so grateful that you came straight after work and we sat at the table and talked it out. I’m the emotional, sensitive overthinker; you are the practical, logical one.
For a lot of people, this would be a tense relationship, but I’ve never felt threatened by you. I just feel like the more good people in my children’s lives, the better. I trust you, and I want them to love you. I’m proud that we have created and worked on this relationship. You’re the friend I never thought I would have.
Love,
Helen