‘Are you sure it’s all right, though?’ Sophie asked. ‘The training itself isn’t that expensive but I’ll probably have to work evenings and weekends and I doubt I’ll earn my fortune.’

‘Nothing ventured, nothing gained,’ Alan said. ‘I think you should go for it.’

Alan’s reaction had spurred her on and the next person she’d been desperate to tell was Angie. She waited in anticipation now for her reaction.

‘Well! That’s quite a change of career,’ Angie finally said.

‘I know, but I’ve been thinking about it non-stop since Greece and I’m really excited about it. I’m going to look for training courses this week and take it from there.’

‘What about your writing?’

Sophie felt like a teenager again, trying to persuade her parents that she was making the right decision. Was it her or was Angie sounding disapproving? ‘I fell out of love with that a long time ago,’ she said. ‘There’s no point in trying to flog a dead horse. It’s time for a new challenge, a new career start. I know it’s not going to win me a Pulitzer Prize, Ange, but I’m really excited about it, okay?’

Why was she getting defensive? What was it about Angie that made her feel like she had to impress her?

But then Angie turned to her and beamed. ‘I think it’s wonderful,’ she said. ‘If you need any practise, you can always borrow Freddy. He’s a really nervous swimmer and he’s not enjoying the group lessons at all.’

‘I’d love that,’ Sophie said, relaxing again. ‘Any time, you just let me know. Anyway, everything okay your end? I haven’t even heard about the rest of your holiday.’

‘It was lovely thanks, not as fun as our glorious week in the villa but we had a nice time.’

‘Did Indie cheer up in the end?’

Angie winced at the memory. ‘In the end.’

‘I take it it’s all off with the boyfriend?’

‘Oh yes, there’s a new one on the scene now.’

‘Young love, eh?’

‘Indeed.’

They walked to school side by side, watching the children nattering away happily, thrilled to be in each other’s company again and Sophie had an idea. ‘I was thinking, Ange,’ she said, ‘we’ve never been out, just the two of us. How about we get dressed up and hit the town on Friday evening, you and me? We can celebrate our new school year’s resolutions!’

‘That sounds lovely.’

‘Fabulous, shall I book somewhere hip and cool where we’ll feel terribly old?’

‘Perfect.’

When she got home, Sophie turned the radio on and started researching Friday night dinner options, settling on a restaurant in Kings Cross that had good reviews but wasn’t new or trendy enough to be full. Booking a table for 8pm she sent Angie a quick text to confirm the details and smiled with satisfaction. This was exactly what they needed, a girls’ night. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been out in town – it would be just the ticket. She imagined her and Angie drinking cocktails and having a giggle, and she felt a frisson of anticipation. She couldn’t wait.