CHAPTER THIRTY TWO
"We bloody deserve this," said Jennifer as they sat down in the beer garden. "Cheers."
They clinked glasses.
With work talk being a no no, the conversation inevitably fell to personal relationships.
"How's Barbara now?" asked Jennifer. "After the... you know."
"It's much better now, thanks."
"And how's your wife?"
"She's fine," said White, "still teaching."
"John, I assume you're still abstaining from all relationships?"
"Once divorced, twice shy."
"And how is my god-daughter?"
"She's fine," said Hannah. "She's six now."
"Six!"
"Yes, you owe her two Christmas and one birthday present."
"So she's in school now?"
"Yes, that's been an eye opener - it's changed a lot since my day."
"So has Eric gone back to work?"
"He's doing something part time to fit in with school hours."
"I suppose she's twice as tall as when I last saw her?"
"About that, yes."
"Does she still think you're a superhero?"
"No. I've managed to get her to answer the question 'what does mummy do?' with 'she's a civil servant'."
"Very wise," said John, "you don't want to be shopped by your own daughter."
The next morning Hannah and Jennifer were wandering around a book shop.
"What sort of level is she at now, reading wise?"
"She's pretty advanced. I know all parents say that but she's reading M.R. James at the moment."
"Wow. Okay, I can get her some proper books then. How about 'Alice In Wonderland'? I read that in junior school and loved it."
"She doesn't have that, I'm sure she'd like it."
"I'll get her both, if I can find them in this maze."
"Be thankful we found an actual bookshop."
"I've really missed this," said Jennifer, "living a normal life, pottering around, going shopping. I've been thinking about leaving."
"Really?"
"It's been building for a while. I keep volunteering for overtime, taking the job home with me. I think I've become quite a shallow person. When I was undercover I had a lot of time to myself. I read, I studied, I walked and cycled a lot. I often wished my life was like that, without the job part."
"I couldn't cope without having something to go home to."
"Maybe it's just the creeping approach of middle age or hormones or something. I still don't want kids but I think I now want a normal life, whatever the fuck that is. But how could I do a normal job after doing this for so long? And how can I leave? I still believe what we do matters. Sorry, ignore me, I just need a week off and a good sleep."
"Look, there's Alice."
"What? Oh I see what you mean," said Jennifer, taking two books from the shelf. "Is there anything else I can get her? That isn't a doll or a teddy bear."
"She gets through trainers like there's no tomorrow, she could always use another pair."
"Okay, then I definitely need some wine to complete my day off."
"It's like Crufts," observed Jennifer as they waited outside the school gates.
"Keep your voice down," hissed Hannah, "I have to pass futile conversation with these women on a sporadic basis for the next five years."
"What is that one wearing on her head? It looks like a felt yacht."
"Don't catch her eye whatever you do, you'll get a five minute lecture on racial purity."
"Oh, that explains the hat, she's clinically insane."
"It's a long story."
A girl waved at them from the playground.
"Is that her?" said Jennifer.
"Yes, six and a bit is very different to four and a half."
"I could make a crude joke about that, but since we're outside a kids playground..."
"Hello, mummy. Hello Auntie Jenny, how are you?"
"I'm alright, how are you, Chloe?"
"I'm six now."
"So I hear."
"Have you finished your assignment, with the 'civil service'?" said Chloe, giving her a knowing wink.
Jennifer couldn't help laughing.
"Yes, I thrashed those paper clips to within an inch of their life."
"Are you coming home for tea?"
Jennifer looked at Hannah.
"Am I? I was... nothing important."
"Come on," pleaded Chloe, "I want to show you my new laptop."
"Okay, I give in," said Jennifer.
The Memory Man: T14 Book 1 Page 32