Ellie was staring at Abby, mouth agape. ‘You voluntarily gave your leave back to the company so you could work even longer?’
‘It was a good deal.’
‘Didn’t you ever feel as if...’
‘What?’
‘You were missing out?’
‘On holidays?’
‘Onlife!’ exclaimed Ellie. ‘All those places to explore and people to meet. All those adventures you’ve never had.’
Abby bristled. ‘I did OK, thanks. Not everyone can say they’ve retired in their thirties.’
‘No, they can’t,’ murmured Ellie. ‘So, what made you want to?’
Abby was silent for a moment. ‘It was always about feeling safe. I never felt Mum had my back in the way she had yours. I wanted to set myself up for life, then I could go and enjoy it.’
‘And are you?’
‘What?’
‘You know. Enjoying it.’
‘Course!’
‘That didn’t sound very convincing.’
‘It’s just getting used to another lifestyle, that’s all. There’s lots of time to fill.’
‘Whereas before you had no time. Did you ever go out? You know, an evening’s entertainment?’
‘Course I did!’
‘You’d allow yourself to spend money on drinks?’
Abby rolled her eyes. ‘It’s very simple. You stick to a budget.’
‘Hmm,’ said Ellie. ‘Let me paint you a picture. You’re in a bar, having a great time with your friends. You’ve all done equal rounds, right, fair and square? As I can’t imagine that not happening. It’s only nine o’clock and the budget is spent. It’s your round again. You don’t want to go home. What do you do?’
‘I’d drink water.’
‘Oh my God.’
‘It was the only way.’
A group of white horses waded through the water up ahead, their tails flicking. The girls watched as the straggler suddenly ran to catch up with the rest, its coat catching in the sunlight.
‘They remind me of the horses in Andalucía,’ said Ellie. ‘So elegant.’
‘The dancing ones?’
‘Yes.’
‘When did you go there?’
Ellie pondered. ‘Can’t remember. It might have been twenty sixteen, after I learned to sail around the Greek islands. No, it was twenty seventeen. The same year I saw the Northern Lights in Lapland.’
