Callie laughed. ‘There was Shane,’ she said, referencing a man she’d become close to in her thirties.
‘Shane Trent? What, Mr Trent from school? No way. I never knew that! Go, Mum, he was dead gorg.’ She pouted, her nose wrinkling. ‘Apart from the fact he was a maths teacher.’
‘Yeah well, no one’s perfect. We got quite close but, oh I don’t know… then I thought about how I’d introduce him to you, when would be the right time, what would happen if you got attached to him and our relationship didn’t pan out. Not to mention we work together. It would have been beyond awkward. Finally decided it was all too much hassle so stayed just friends.’
‘And then he married Miss Spinks from the science department,’ Frida said, dolefully, draining her wine in one gulp. ‘The whole of the sixth form was heartbroken.’ She pointed the glass at her mother. ‘Get you, though, going out with the school hottie.’
‘I didn’t go out with him as such.’ Callie couldn’t quite keep the wistfulness from her voice as she pictured Shane’s wedding day, a high summer celebration in a classic country hotel with Nadia Spinks looking breathtaking in white tulle and orange blossom. ‘It was a nice day, I seem to recall.’ She and Shane hadn’t progressed beyond a few drinks in the pub where they’d shared the stresses of the job, but she’d liked him.
‘Poor Mum.’
‘Poor Mum nothing,’ Callie replied robustly. ‘There’s more to life than having a man in it, you know!’
‘But this Johnny bloke, this Johnny Farthing?’
‘Johnny Starling.’
‘You like him?’
‘Yes. Yes, I do. He’s lovely.’
‘Sex on legs more like.’
Callie giggled. ‘If you say so.’
‘And you don’t work withhim,’ Frida pointed out.
‘This is true.’
‘Could be a holiday fling.’
‘Or just sex?’ Callie said innocently, knowing it would wind Frida up.
‘Muuuum! That’s gross.’ Frida put two fingers to her mouth. ‘Don’t make me vom.’
Callie laughed again. ‘We haven’t got beyond the kissing stage. We haven’t talked about what “this” is, if it’s anything. We’ve just enjoyed each other’s company.’
‘Drunk a lot of wine!’
‘Went to the theatre, entered a sandcastle competition, oh and I’ve met his family.’
‘You’ve what?’ Frida was aghast. ‘Not wasting much time.’
‘Only because they’re staying in town for a christening. I was invited to a barbeque. They’re a bit mad but great fun and I really like Johnny’s youngest sister.’
‘Gawd. How many’s he got?’
‘Four. And he has three rather alarming aunts.’
Frida laughed out loud. ‘Bit different to our set up then.’
‘Families come in all shapes and sizes,’ she reminded Frida, ‘including the found sort.’
‘Including the found sort,’ Frida parroted back the expected answer. ‘And, don’t get me wrong, I love having Donna and Graham and their kids around. It’s just–’
‘It’s just what, love?’
‘Oh nothing. So tell me all about this Johnny bloke, then. What does he do? Where does he come from? Has he got any money?’
