First of all we had a swim. When we were tired of swimming, we lay on loungers by the side of the pool reading glossy magazines and talking about stuff.

After that, it was time to get our hair and faces done. When my hair was blow-dried, all the other girls said that it made my new highlights look really cool.

My favourite part of the day was when we got our nails painted. Everyone else had to settle for a boring old French manicure, but because I was the birthday girl, I got super-cool gel nails, with a perfect tiny crystal set into each one.

After that, my mum picked us up, and we went to my all-time favourite restaurant for a pizza. I couldn't eat very well because, trust me, it is not easy to hold a pizza without damaging your new gel nails. I didn't care though. It's important to get your priorities right.

When there was nothing left except crusts of pizza and half-glasses of flat lemonade cocktails,
the lights went dim and one of the waiters carried out the biggest birthday cake I have ever seen. It said
Happy Birthday, Eva
in huge silver letters and there were sparklers all around the edge. Everyone said stuff like âOoooh,' and âAaaaah,' and âWow.'

By this time I was smiling so much, I thought my face was going to crack open. I
so
love being the centre of attention!

My friends had only sung the first line of âHappy Birthday' when the sparklers set off the fire alarms, and we all had to run outside screaming.

I didn't mind.

It made sure that no one would forget my party â ever.

That night, Victoria, my very best friend in the whole world, came to sleep over at my place. We spent ages on the new computer I'd got for my birthday, and after that we lay on my window-seat and listened to my new MP3 player.

Victoria likes the exact same kind of music as I
do. Actually, we like
all
the same things. That's how we met. We started pony club on the same day, years and years ago, when we were both around five years old. All the other girls wanted to ride the chestnut ponies, but I spotted a sleek, black mare looking out of her stall at the other side of the yard. I ran over and stretched up to stroke her nose.

âYou're the most beautiful,' I whispered. âI'm going to go on you.'

Just then I noticed another girl standing there.

âI'm Victoria,' she said, smiling at me, âand this is Velvet. The instructor said I can ride her.'

I thought of stamping my foot and crying to get my own way, but before I could work myself up to it, Victoria just smiled and said, âWe can take turns if you want,' and that's what we did.

Even though Victoria goes to school in the middle of town, and I go to a private school five miles away, it doesn't matter. We're very, very best friends.

Much later, Victoria sighed as she settled in to the spare bed in my bedroom.

âI think that's the best party I've ever, ever been to,' she said.

I didn't argue. How could I, when I knew she was right?

âBut I've been looking forward to your party for so long,' she moaned. âWhat have I got to look forward to now?'

I didn't have to think before answering.

âWhat about our pony club trip?' I said. âThat's going to be so much fun.'

âOh, yeah. I wonder where we're going this year. I hope it's France. I'd totally love to go there.'

âNo. France is sooo boring. I'd prefer Germany, or maybe Spain.'

âWhatever. I just wish they'd hurry up and announce it, so we can start looking forward to it properly.'

I snuggled deeper under my duvet.

âMmm â¦ me too,' I said. âNow I'm going to sleep. All that beautifying is tiring work.'

âKnow what, Eva Gordon?' said Victoria.

âWhat?' I asked, trying not to yawn.

âIt doesn't seem fair. Your life is so perfect. It's like you're living in a fairy-tale. How come bad things never happen to you?'

I giggled.

âSomething bad happened last week. Remember when I was going to that party, and before I got my hair straighteners warmed up, there was a power cut? And I had to go to the party with wavy hair? That was bad, wasn't it?'

Victoria giggled too.

âApart from that total disaster, do you think you might be the luckiest girl in the whole world?'

âYes. I think I might be.'

âOh, and one more thing,' she said.

âWhat?' I said, failing to hold back the yawn this time.

âIf you weren't so nice, I'd totally hate you.'

I smiled into the darkness.

âLucky I'm nice, so,' I said, not really sure if it was true.

Victoria was already asleep, and I was just drifting into my first dream of the night, when my bedroom door opened. A figure came over and sat on the edge of my bed.

âHappy birthday, Princess.'

I sat up and hugged my dad, but then I pulled quickly away. I'd forgotten that I was supposed to be cross with him.

âYou missed my whole birthday,' I said, in the coldest voice I could manage.

âI'm sorry, Eva,' he said. âIt wasn't my fault. My meeting ran late, and then I missed my connecting flight in London. I got here as soon as I could. You know how busy I am at work, don't you?'

I didn't answer. Years and years ago, before I was even born, Dad used to be a carpenter, but now he ran his own building company. He earned heaps of money, but it meant he was away a lot.

âYou forgive me, don't you?' asked Dad.

I wasn't letting him off that easily.

âYou missed my birthday last year too.'

He sighed.

âI know. I was in Berlin, wasn't I?'

I shook my head.

âNo, that was two years ago. Last year you were entertaining clients in Dublin, and you couldn't get away.'

He hugged me again.

âI'm really sorry. Anyway, I brought you a little something to make up for it.'

I flicked on my light excitedly. I'd already got heaps of presents, but that didn't matter.

What girl can have enough stuff?

Dad fished around in all of his suit pockets, teasing me, before he pulled out a tiny blue box.

âOmigod,' I whispered.

I didn't need to open it â I already recognised the packaging.

I held the present in my hand for a few seconds, enjoying the feeling of not knowing exactly what was inside. Then I ripped off the ribbon, and opened the box. Inside was a tiny silver chain, and on the chain there were two hearts â one silver, and
one slightly smaller pinky-gold one.

âOh, Dad,' I sighed. âI think that's the most beautiful necklace I have ever, ever seen.'

Dad smiled.

âSo I'm forgiven?'

I nodded.

âOf course you are.'

Dad stood up and walked towards the door. Then he stopped.

âYou know, Princess, I am very, very sorry I wasn't here for your big day. Next year it will be different. I promise.'

Then he turned and went out, closing the door softly behind him.

Next year it will be different.

Boy, how those words turned out to be true!