’Frenemy’ - someone who combines the characteristics of a friend and enemy. No decision of this magnitude was ever going to be easy, I’d had no illusions about that. But finally the day had come when I knew my path would be infinitely longer and brighter if I took a different turn to yours. I’d been cornered and trapped by your seductive, narcissistic pull for way too long, there was no other choice. It may sound like I resent you, I don’t. You’ve been with me through some of the best and worst moments of my life. At times your presence was welcome, I looked forward to it. Other times I resented it, resisted it. It made no difference either way, you were still always there. Sometimes you comforted me, cocooning me with happiness and warmth. But other times you made me hate myself, cruelly throwing me into the depths of despair. But despite all that, you never judged me, you were there when others weren’t. You listened when I poured out my troubles - day and night and I’m grateful at least for that. But you’re not good for me and now I need to stand on my own two feet and no longer allow you to knock me down, just so you can pick me back up. I’m ashamed of my weakness over the last 10 years, and I abhor my previous feeble attempts to cast you out of my life. But now, I finally have a clearer, stronger vision of myself in my mind and I like it. So, I’ve spent a long, emotional night removing all evidence of you - nothing has escaped! I feel slightly guilty about that and I smile at the irony of it. With a deep breath, I pick up the final bottle of gin - the last one I will ever buy, and with shaking hands pour the contents down the sink. It feels scary but so empowering! ‘Goodbye dear Frenemy, I will never forget you. You are part of my past, my present, but you will NOT be part of my future.’ The morning sun breaks through the rain clouds creating a magnificent rainbow across the sky. I wipe a tear from my eye, and make a cup of tea. Today is going to be a good day.