Class Act

She and Maggie might have taken different paths in life, but Val was determined to feel nothing but proud of the choices she’d made

What do you think?’ I said, turning to Rosie, who was sitting on the bed stroking Nutmeg, my ginger cat.

My daughter gave me a cursory glance. ‘Very nice, Mum.’

I wasn’t so sure. I’d worn the black trousers and sparkly, gold blouse on several special occasions, and I couldn’t help feeling that something new for the school reunion would be a real treat.

‘Do you fancy coming into town on Saturday?’ I asked, changing back into my jeans and jumper. ‘That dress I told you about might be reduced.’

I’d seen the midnight-blue, lace number in the department store the previous week and had balked at the price, but maybe, with the sales starting…

Rosie gave a little grimace. ‘Actually, I was going to ask a favor for Saturday. I’ve been offered a double shift, and Jason’s got a rewiring job booked, so… Would you be able to have the boys?’

My daughter was the manager of a supermarket and, as much as I loved having the five-year-old twins, it had been ages since Rosie and I had been into town together. But, knowing she’d only asked because she had no other choice, I masked my disappointment with a smile, and we arranged a time for her to drop off the boys.

On Saturday, while Ollie and Arlo lay on the floor playing with Lego, I sat on the sofa with my laptop, all set to accept the Facebook invitation to the Grant Street Grammar reunion. Scrolling down the page, I saw several names I recognized, but only one that made me catch my breath.

It’d been years since I’d thought about Maggie Lester, even though we’d been good friends at school and in the same top set for everything.

‘The pain had faded, but I knew it would never vanish completely’ good friends at school and in the same top set for everything.