‘It’s not a …’ Elle let out a frustrated huff. ‘What do you mean? Why would I be worried about that?’

‘Oh, come on, Elle. Let’s face it, your mum hasn’t approved of pretty much anything in your life lately. Your job, your career choices, your friends,’ she stressed. Although her parents had always been polite to Lilly, they had never approved of her life choices. ‘Have you told them about selling your sketches?’ Lilly asked, but it sounded more like a challenge.

When Elle didn’t answer, she heard Lilly make a knowing little sound under her breath and let out a frustrated sigh of her own.

‘Why not?’ Lilly asked.

‘I called but they weren’t home,’ Elle replied defensively.

‘I’m willing to bet you wouldn’t have mentioned the sketches even if they had been.’

Oh, it’s easy to be smug, Elle thought irritably.

‘Elle,’ Lilly sighed, ‘if you don’t even believe in your talent, how do you expect your parents to? You’ve always played it down.’

‘No, I haven’t.’

‘Yes. You have. And I know why.’ She softened her tone as she continued. ‘Your mum’s never been backward in coming forward when it comes to her definition of what makes a career and what doesn’t, but if you think art is where your heart is, then you need to stop putting yourself down all the time. You are an artist. It’s time to take it seriously, because if you don’t, then no one else will.’

Trust Lilly to say it like it was.

‘I’m sorry, Elle, but you need to hear this and it’s no wonder you’ve avoided having a serious relationship. Unless the guy’s a doctor or a lawyer, I hate to say it, but he’s pretty much screwed if he’s after your mother’s approval.’

Well, at least he had that going for him, she supposed, before quickly shrugging off the thought. It didn’t matter if her mother approved of Stuart—there was nothing serious about their relationship that needed approval.

‘I say if you’ve found someone you really like, you should enjoy it for as long as you can.’

‘Well, that’s kind of the problem, isn’t it? Time. I don’t really have much of it.’

‘You’ve got your UK passport,’ she reminded her, ‘So, use it. Find a job and stay for a while. See where it goes.’

Maybe this was why Elle had felt a need to call her best friend—to have someone she trusted tell her she was doing the right thing. ‘I’ve been thinking about that,’ she said.

‘Good. Do it.’

‘Well, I’m glad you won’t miss me or anything,’ Elle said dryly.