SHE SAYS

‘One day I’ll travel light, but not in this lifetime. He thinks I’m the best person in forever.’

She brings the last of her bags into the hall. The van is waiting in the street.

‘Watch your step with him, Mum.’

‘I think he really likes me! Like, me-me, I mean.’

‘I’m pleased for you-you. Really.’

‘He’s invited me to do some travelling with him later this month. LA, San Fran. A few conferences and a bit of a jolly. I think it’ll be good for me, and I’d like to get to know him better. Would … that be okay? Would you mind?’

‘Why would I mind?’

‘It’s over Christmas.’

I look at her. ‘S’fine.’

She says, meaningfully: ‘Thank you. He’s a bit younger than me, but it’s not like that,’ she says.

‘How much younger?’

‘Ten years. But I don’t feel sixty. Truth is, I feel twenty-five. I’ve felt twenty-five since I was twenty-five – it’s like my personality was set then when I had my calling and I’ve never changed. And it’s not like anyone’s pulling the wool over anyone’s eyes. We’ve got all that out of the way. He has his children. I have you. There are no secrets.’

‘Does he have an ex-partner?’

‘His wife died four years ago. I’m going to try and put them in touch.’

‘Like hell you are.’

‘I’ll do my best.’

‘Love does not advance by weddings; love advances by funerals.’

She shakes her head.

‘He organises these big spiritual sessions. Gatherings, really. Five people doing reiki on you at once.’

‘What, gang reiki?’

‘Jennifer. Apparently, people hook up to do group meditations online and when there’s enough people in a city the vibes are so strong that the crime rate falls.’

‘So he’s a superhero.’

‘He’s a man who knows what he wants.’

‘You mean he’s rich.’

‘He’s found his niche.’

‘You mean he’s rich.’

‘It’s better to be with a … companion. Retirement terrifies me. Old age terrifies me. Not death, never death, but being old and poor … It’s an optimistic sort of pragmatism I’m employing here. I’m looking for companionship first and foremost. And if it means subverting from the inside, so be it.’

She comes close and I think she’s about to hug me when she says: ‘How do you feel about the photos?’

‘The ones Art took? I’m sort of detached from it all. How do you feel about them?’

‘They’re black and white. Very tasteful.’

‘Yes, that would be the main word I’d use to describe the whole thing. Tasteful.’

She laughs and then her face is serious. ‘I’ve been thinking, you could freeze your eggs. We could raise a child together.’

‘You’re getting ridiculous now.’