Quarter Past Two on a Wednesday Afternoon Read Online Free Page A

It’s all a bit early to start planning, and Cliff says I shouldn’t tempt fate, in case something goes wrong.’ Bethan held up both hands to show crossed fingers. ‘Anyway. By godparent, I mean as in supporter. Special auntie. Pagan parent, if you’d rather.’
    ‘In that case … but do you really think I’m, you know, reliable enough?’
    ‘You are now.’ Bethan gave her a teasing look. ‘I might not have thought so once.’
    ‘Then – thank you. I’d love to. I was hoping to be honorary auntie, anyway.’
    ‘Brilliant! Thanks so much!’ Bethan gave her a hug, then took out her mobile to text Cliff the news. The waiter brought their pasta dishes and salad; putting her phone away, Bethan asked, ‘How about you? How’s work? How’s Martin?’ She began to eat hungrily.
    Anna shrugged. ‘Everything’s fine, thanks.’
    ‘What about you two? Do you think you’ll, you know, have children?’
    ‘You sound like my mum,’ said Anna, unfairly, as her mother had never given such a hint.
    ‘Still! You’re thirty-three. Biological clock ticking.’
    It always jolted Anna to remember that she had reached such an age; surely she ought to feel adult by now, responsible, in control of her life.
    ‘Martin’s already got the boys,’ she said.
    ‘Yes, but you?’
    ‘Haven’t really thought.’
    Bethan made a puh face. ‘You expect me to believe that? You’ve never so much as thought about having a baby?’
    ‘I don’t want to be pushed into anything, that’s all.’
    ‘Who’s pushing?’
    ‘No one. Just – you know – people’s expectations.’ Anna filled Bethan’s glass with mineral water. ‘Yours, now,’ she added lightly. ‘Like it’s the obvious next thing to do.’
    Bethan shrugged. ‘Only asking. What about the job? How’s that working out?’
    ‘Fine, thanks. Keeps me off the streets.’
    ‘You don’t sound keen. You’re not chucking it in, are you?’
    ‘It’s only a trial period. I’m not sure I want to stay there for ever. I quite like the work. I like houses, property. I like matching people to homes, or dreaming about what I’d do if I had the money. It’s just – just I don’t like feeling tied down.’
    ‘But why think of it like that?’ said Bethan. ‘You’ve got a lovely man, a nice flat, and now you can have a good job as well. All this flitting from one thing to another – wouldn’t it be more rewarding to stick at something?’
    ‘Beth! You’re definitely turning into my mum.’
    Bethan sagged into her seat in an attitude of surrender. ‘It’s only common sense. What’s the problem? No one’s asking you to sign up for life, are they? You haven’t found a vocation, that’s your problem.’
    ‘But how many people do?’ Anna said. ‘What’s yours – massaging the egos of pushy authors?’
    Bethan giggled. ‘I won’t mind taking a break, that’s for sure. Anyway. How was your weekend?’
    Anna told her about the decorating, Martin’s visit to Ruth, his late return.
    ‘Hmm.’ Bethan lowered her eyebrows. ‘You’re not thinking they’re—?’
    ‘No! Definitely not.’
    ‘It’s just that you mentioned it. I asked about your weekend and that’s what you chose to tell me.’
    ‘It’s not what you’re imagining,’ said Anna. ‘I like Ruth. She and I could easily be friends.’
    Bethan gave her a comically sceptical look.
    ‘Why not?’ Anna countered. ‘If it wasn’t for Martin in the way.’
    ‘Yeah, right. You’d be soulmates.’
    The waiter came for their plates; Bethan turned down coffee, but Anna looked at her watch, and ordered an Americano.
    ‘Martin’s the one I feel sorry for,’ Bethan said. ‘He’s afraid you’ll start comparing notes.’
    ‘Typical man, that’d be. Assuming we’d have nothing else to talk about.’
    ‘She did seem nice,’ said Bethan; she had met Ruth recently at Martin’s fortieth birthday party.
    ‘Sister substitute, obviously. Is that what you’re thinking?’
    ‘Yes. I wasn’t going