‘No, I’m not seeing anyone, if that’s what you’re asking.’

Louise huffed. ‘You say that like it’s a bad thing! Sweetheart, you're almost thirty and—’

‘Almost thirty? Mam, I’m already thirty-two.’

‘—and time is ticking. I just want you to understand that the options for middle-aged women, especially in this day and age, are sparse and cruel.’

Tara snorted. ‘Wow. OK, thanks for letting me know, I’ll be sure to lower my expectations to zero andoh dear, my phone's about to die. Talk to you later.’

She hung up and vaped again before tossing her phone onto the bed. How Tara’s mother could possibly think that her words were remotely helpful or encouraging was beyond her. Tara wanted to tell her that she’d never had any trouble finding quality male company, but it just wasn’t the be-all-and-end-all. Opening up her phone again, she began typing on WhatsApp.

Hey you! How was Dublin? My flight gets in an hour after yours. Can’t wait to see you xx

In an ideal world she would introduce her boyfriends to her mum but, realistically, that was never going to happen, especially not with this one. Maybe he wasn’t the most thrilling man she’d ever met, but he was the only stable thing she had in her life and she wasn’t letting anything or anyone ruin that.