‘But?’
‘But everything feels out of my control. It’s my work and I’ve still got free rein on what I decide to photograph, but sometimes I feel a bit like a puppet on a string. It’s really not how I expected it to be.’ Anna sighed. ‘Oh for goodness’ sake! I’ve got what I’ve always dreamed of and yet still I’m complaining. How self-centred is that?’
Daisy laughed and gave her a hug. ‘We’re a right pair, aren’t we?’
‘We are. But we’ve been friends for a long time and I hope that won’t change.’ She reached out and squeezed her friend’shand. ‘I know it looks like my life has changed, but I’ll always be here for you.’
‘Thanks,’ Daisy said, but she looked away.
‘Daise? Is something wrong?’
Daisy sighed. ‘I suppose it’s confession time. When Tom and I broke up, I didn’t contact you because I was jealous.’
‘Jealous?’
‘Yes. You seemed to be living the perfect life, with your new boyfriend and job and living a life of luxury.’
‘It’s not that luxurious,’ Anna muttered, although she couldn’t deny that living most of the time with Daniel was more luxurious than what she was used to. ‘And I do have to work hard. But, yes, I’m finally doing the thing I’ve always wanted to do.’
‘And you have the perfect boyfriend.’
‘I wouldn’t say that. He is special, yes, but our relationship isn’t without its complications.’
‘Which are?’
‘I’ll tell you about them another time. I want to talk about you.’
‘Okay, well, there I was in a crappy job, still living at home, and there was no comparison. But I had Tom and I was in love and we were talking about finding somewhere we could rent so that we could live together. As much as I love Mum, I’m thirty and want my own place, my own life and most of all I want to start a family.’
‘I know, that’s what you’ve always wanted.’
Daisy shook her head sadly. ‘No chance of that happening any time soon now, though.’
‘No, I suppose not. But maybe Tom wasn’t the right man for you. Maybe you needed to split up so that you can find the right one, the one who does want to commit and have babies. You never know what’s around the corner.’
‘Yes, that’s very true. But for the moment I’m stuck with the single life, a crappy job and living with Mum. Oh, there I go again! Tell me about these complications. Cheer me up by telling me you don’t have the perfect life after all.’
Anna laughed. If anyone else had said that, she would’ve thought they were being nasty, but not Daisy.
‘Remember when I told you that Daniel was thinking of setting up a photography school in Manchester?’
‘And I said it would be difficult having a long-distance relationship.’
‘And I pooh-poohed that.’
Daisy laughed. ‘Yes, I do remember your optimism.’
‘Well, as ever, my dear and trusted friend, you were right. Oh, I do get to go up there to work on my exhibition, but we’re apart much more than we’re together, especially at the moment. And Ben’s only nine, so it’s going to be a long-term thing and I’m really not sure how we can make it work.’
‘Can you trust him?’
‘I think so.’
‘You don’t sound so sure.’
‘He’s nothing like Mark, but his ex-wife lives up there and she’s already made a play for him. He turned her down flat, but he didn’t tell me until I told him I knew. He says he doesn’t want to be with her, that it would never work and it’s me he loves, but I don’t trust her. I don’t think she’ll stop until she gets what she wants. Besides, there’s Ben and the thought of being a full-time father. That might be too much for him. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see how it all works out.’
‘Like you said,’ Daisy added. ‘You never know what’s around the corner.’
