I laugh.

‘Listen, there are so many routes into teaching and you volunteering would even count towards work experience for your application too.’

‘I’m just not sure if I could handle going back to university, not at my age.’

‘You can do what I did and work as an unqualified teacher in a school while training part-time on a course. You learn just as much on the job as you do from the lectures and assignments. It’s a great combination. Have a look into it, and any help you need with applications, I’m your girl.’

‘I think I’d be a while away from that stage, but I might think about it.’

‘Do, Edie, because we all know how short life is. Do you know that Lola’s mum was only thirty-three?’

‘Wow, so young,’ I say, and it hits me that she was two years younger than me. My mum was only forty-two and it’s been starting to weigh on my mind that it’s not going to be long until I reach that age.

‘So young, but a wake-up call for the rest of us.’ Claudia locks the store cupboard and I slip on my cardigan, ready to head home. ‘Listen, if you wanted to chat more about the teaching stuff, I’m always around to meet for coffee. My boyfriend and I only moved here at Christmas and the summer can be so long when he’s at work all day. Perhaps if you were free one day for lunch or for coffee or—’

‘I’d love to meet for coffee or lunch. My office manager is always telling me that I need to get away from my desk more.’

‘Great, well, you’ve got my number. Send me a text.’

‘OK, I will do.’ I’m about to say my goodbyes and head out the door when I stop and turn back to her. ‘How do you feel about frisbee?’

‘Frisbee?’ Her forehead wrinkles.

‘Uh-huh. I’m getting some friends together to play a five-a-side game. Some of my work colleagues and friends are coming … It might be a good way for you to meet some people in the area.’

I go on to explain about our midnight frisbee plans and she starts to smile more and more. I can’t help but smile too because of the journey the past emails are taking me on and the friends that I’m making on the way.