Page 82 - Bridget Jones's Diary - by Helen FIELDING

Eventually got to bed at midnight, v. confused, but was woken three times in the

night by phone calls from Dad.

'When someone loves you it's like having a blanket all round your heart,' he
said, 'and then when it's taken away . . . ' and he burst into tears. He was
speaking from the granny flat at the bottom of the Alconburys' garden, where

he's staying, as he says hopefully, 'Just till things are sorted out.'

I suddenly realize everything has shifted and now I am looking after my
parents instead of them looking after me, which seems unnatural and wrong.
Surely I am not that old?

Monday 6 March

8st 12 (v.v.g. - have realized secret of dieting is not weighing oneself).

Can officially confirm that the way to a man s heart these days is not through

beauty, food, sex, or alluringness of character, but merely the ability to seem not
very interested in him.

Took no notice of Daniel whatsoever all day at work and pretended to be busy

(try not to laugh). Message Pending kept flashing but I just kept sighing and
tossing my hair about as if I were a very glamorous, important person under a
great deal of pressure. By the end of the day I realized, like a school chemistry
lab miracle (phosphorus, litmus test or similar), it was working. He kept staring
at me and giving me meaningful glances. Eventually, when Perpetua was out, be