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“What a lovely idea. To Mum!” Gloria clinked her glass against Kate’s.

“Were you and your mum close?”

Gloria winced at the question. “No, we hated each other most of our lives.”

“Oh, sorry.”

“Don’t be. Hate’s probably too strong a word. We didn’t understand each other. I resented her, and I suspect she was jealous of me. She never did much with her own life and I think my success shone a light on that.”

“She must have been proud of you though, I mean, CEO? That’s not something women achieve every day.”

“It was down to hard work. The thing is, Mum was much cleverer than me. She was the first in her family to go to university. Everyone had high expectations of her.”

“So what happened?”

“I did. She got pregnant in the first term, the father scarpered and I, according to her, ruined her life.”

“I’m sure she didn’t really think that.”

“Oh, she did, believe me. Trouble is, I don’t think she’d have been any happier if I’d gone down the marriage and kids route. I don’t think anything would’ve pleased her. She did love me, in her own way. That’s what today was about.”

“Really?”

“Yes, she left instructions for me to scatter her ashes in the only place we went on holiday. A place we went to one happy summer when I was little and no threat to her insecurities. We were happy then.”

“God, that must have been so hard for you.”

“I thought it would be, but actually, it was great to be reminded of happy times. I played my part in the relationship too. As soon as I could, I left home, hardly ever visited, created a new life for myself that didn’t involve her. It’s no wonder things were broken beyond repair by the time she needed me to look after her. Anyway, enough about me. Do you get on with your mum?”

“My mum died a few years back.”

“Oh I’m so sorry. She must have been pretty young?”

“Yeah, early forties. Years of alcoholism finally took their toll. She wasn’t a bad mum, she just had her demons. I grew up knowing I was loved, even if it was in a chaotic, confusing kind of way. I still miss her, ten years on. It’s like I’ve been standing still all that time.”

“Well, moving to Cornwall’s certainly not standing still. It’s funny, you know, I’m not sure you ever grow out of needing your mum, whatever they’re like.”

Kate and Gloria sat in silence, pondering their pasts. “My mum was eighty when she died. That feels young these days, doesn’t it? I remember when sixty seemed ancient, now it’s the new forty apparently, at least I hope so as I turn sixty this year.”

“Sixty? I would have said you were forty at the oldest.”

“Ah, that’s kind. I think it’s not having kids that keeps you looking young. Plenty of sleep is the key. Hasn’t stopped me going grey, though.”

“Are you married?”

“Oh no, I never fancied it. I’ve had a few long-term partners, but I don’t want to be tied down, you know?”

Kate didn’t know. All she wanted was to be tied down, a couple of kids getting under her feet. She’d take all the good bits from her mum and not repeat any of the mistakes. “I’ve always wanted a big family. I’m not sure it will happen now.”

“How old are you?”

“Thirty.”

“But that’s so young! You’ve got plenty of child-bearing years ahead of you.”

“Not if I can’t hold on to or find the right man.”

“You don’t need a man to have kids these days.”

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