Caroline shook her head and waved a dismissive hand. ‘Don’t be ridiculous, you can’t possibly fly off to Scotland now, not after you’ve just been fired.’

‘Not fired … put off,’ Elle corrected.

‘It’s out of the question.’

‘I’ve already bought the ticket.’

Her mother stared at her again.

Elle suddenly wished she had waited until her dad was home before breaking the news. At least when he was there they had a referee to step in. ‘Mum, I promised her. It’s what she wanted. You were there at the reading.’

‘It’s not something that has to be done right now.’

‘It kinda is,’ she said dryly. ‘It’s what Gran wants … I mean, wanted.’

‘So, you’re going to fly off to Scotland, with no job and no way to support yourself?’ her mother said, still staring at her as though she’d just announced she was going on Married at First Sight to pretend-TV-marry a complete stranger on national television. ‘The money your gran left you isn’t supposed to be thrown away on some … holiday. Malcolm has invested his, and I seriously recommend you do the same, before it’s all gone.’

Of course he had. ‘I don’t plan on touching that money. I’ve got some savings, and Gran’s envelope paid for the ticket and accommodation. It’s all taken care of.’

‘You know, you were actually beginning to act responsibly, but I see that didn’t last very long,’ her mother said, leaning back and crossing her arms. Her blonde shoulder-length hair was cut in a no-nonsense bob that swung elegantly around her face, somehow managing to convey her disappointment and irritation in one graceful movement.

‘Seriously?’ Elle said, staring at her mother. ‘I was beginning to act responsibly?’ Usually she could wear her mother’s criticisms, but this hurt. ‘Since when did you ever think I was acting responsibly? And if so, why the hell haven’t I heard you say that? I mean, you’re so quick to point out where I’m doing everything wrong, why is this the first time that I’ve heard you say I might have been doing something right for a change?’

‘That’s not what I meant,’ her mother said stiffly.

‘I know I’m a disappointment to you and Dad. I’ve tried to be what you want, and it made me miserable. I’m sorry I’m not academic like everyone else in this family, but I can’t help that.’

‘You didn’t give it a chance.’

‘I gave it two years, Mum.’

‘No,’ she pointed out firmly, ‘you gave up after two years. You don’t see things through. You start everything and then give up if it’s too hard. You have to learn to push yourself.’

‘It was too hard. I didn’t understand it. I only applied for university to keep you happy.’