The Grass is Greener Read Online Free Page A

her ear, immediately regretting taking the call.
    It wasn’t work. It was her mother, which was actually even worse.
    â€˜Good afternoon, Bronwyn. Can you talk?’
    â€˜I’m kinda in the middle of lunch.’
    â€˜Excellent. How did your meeting go this morning?’
    Bronwyn bit her lip, thinking about the dog proposal. ‘Not that great actually.’
    â€˜Oh good. I also have some wonderful news.’
    â€˜Okay.’ Bronwyn blinked, not knowing whether to be relieved or insulted that her mother didn’t actually care about her answers. ‘What is it?’
    â€˜My colleague Francis Aldermon had a heart attack last week.’
    Bronwyn gasped. ‘Mum, that’s terrible. Is he all right?’
    â€˜Absolutely fine,’ Bianca returned airily. ‘But the mishap did give me a chance to visit him in hospital and talk to him in a less formal setting.’
    Only her mother would find a hospital visit an opportunity to network.
    â€˜I was able to direct the conversation in your direction …’
    You mean, away from the fact that he almost died.
    â€˜â€¦ and he said he would be very pleased to sponsor you to the bar.’
    Bronwyn choked. ‘But I’ve had no thoughts about going to the bar. I’m fine where I am.’
    Or should I say, less miserable.
    â€˜Nonsense. There’s no need to play coy with me, Bronwyn. I’m your mother. I know how stressed you must be getting about your situation.’
    â€˜I have a situation?’
    â€˜Well, we both know that Simon Bantam is not going to promote you for another year, Bronwyn. I went to uni with the man, he’s a stickler for the trenches. He’ll keep you there as long as he can, particularly because you’re such a good little worker. Why not move across to the bar where all the movers and the shakers are? Including,’ she gave a slight titter, ‘myself.’
    â€˜I don’t know, Mum.’
    Her mother–daughter relationship with Bianca Hanks was not good at the best of times. She couldn’t imagine working near her as well. Best not to tempt fate.
    â€˜I’m happy where I am.’
    â€˜Happiness, Bronwyn, is a commodity you know nothing about.’
    Okay, you caught me.
    â€˜When I was your age,’ her mother continued, ‘I thought I was happy too. That’s why I married your father. Look what that got me.’
    A child neither of you wanted?
    â€˜A very expensive divorce,’ her mother rattled off.
    Bronwyn’s brow wrinkled. She knew that to speak her mind here would be a mistake. ‘Mum, can I talk about this with you later?’
    â€˜All right,’ said Bianca briskly, ‘we can park that opportunity for a minute and talk about the family firm.’
    Bronwyn opened her mouth and then shut it again. ‘Huh?’
    â€˜Hanks and Eddings. Your Uncle Cyril is always looking for good junior lawyers and I hear he’s short at the moment. It might be a good opportunity to take your rightful place.’
    â€˜Mum, I haven’t worked at the family firm for a reason.’
    â€˜Yes, yes, to avoid the stigma of nepotism,’ her mother offered valiantly, like a trainer throwing fish to a seal. ‘To prove yourself on your own terms.’
    Actually, that wasn’t the reason.
    â€˜Well, you are an Eddings. And if you’re not going to the bar, then I think it’s time you explored your birthright.’
    As though I was ever allowed not to.
    â€˜Then you can really spread your wings and soar.’
    Or cut my tail feathers and crash.
    â€˜Why don’t I call your uncle and get an interview time for you next week?’
    â€˜Mum, don’t –’
    â€˜It’s no trouble.’
    â€˜Mum!’ Bronwyn cried, almost with relief, ‘I have to go. I have another call coming through.’
    She actually wasn’t lying about that. Before her mother could reply she hung up on her,