Love Is a State of Mind: Nobody's Life is Perfect by Sarah Catherine Knights

travelling the world – studying yoga in India, going to Peru to see Machu Picchu, flying by helicopter across the Grand Canyon.  “You could do anything , Mum … it would be amazing … like a grown-up gap year.  You could just spend the lump sum … life’s too short to be sensible.”
    “It does sound fantastic, Holly, but the the reality is, I’d be on my own.  I haven’t travelled without your Dad for … ever.  Imagine me, wandering around the world … I don’t think I’ve got the confidence and anyway, I wouldn’t want to spend the whole lump sum on …”
    “But Mum, you might meet some gorgeous Indian guru or some Peruvian horseman …”
    “I don’t think so, somehow … you read about the stupid older women going out to the Caribbean and meeting young Jamaicans who are just after their money … I wouldn’t want that …”
    “You’re not that stupid, Mum …”
    “Oh, thanks … maybe I could do some travelling, though – I’ve wanted to go and see Jane in Adelaide ever since she went out there, but there’s never been the money … or the time.  At least then, I wouldn’t be completely on my own.”
    “Hey, well, there you are … that’s a really good idea.  If you gave up teaching, you could go out there for weeks, months even … you could escape the winter here and go out in the new year.  I think that’s a brill plan, Mum.  Resign now and take a long break away and come back with a renewed outlook.”
    “It does sound good.  Jane’s always going on at us to come out and I haven’t seen her for years.”
    “Well, then, what’s stopping you?”
    I look at her and we both laugh.  She has such an infectious enthusiasm for life and it’s rubbing off on me.  In my head, I can see a much younger version of me, floating across an Australian beach in a bikini, the waves catching the sun with glittering stars and some young bronzed life-saver dude, running towards me.  He’s got a surfboard tucked under his arm and one of those ridiculous life-saver hats on his head.
    “What’s stopping you?” Holly repeats, louder.  Reading my mind she says, “You might meet some old Aussie guy wearing one of those hats with corks dangling from it!”
    She brings me back to reality – my Aussie dude was like something out of ‘Endless Summer’, not some raddled sixty year old.
    “Why don’t you email Jane and ask her if it’s possible first and then go on from there.  I think you need something like this, Mum.  God, I’d be so jealous …”
    “Adam would have a fit – he’d accuse me of following him out there …”
    “Well, Australia’s big enough to miss him, Mum … but if he wanted to meet up, you could.  He won’t mind.  Don’t let that put you off.”
    We finish our main course and then share a sticky toffee pudding and ice cream.  There’s something really nice about one pudding and two spoons; David and I used to share puddings all the time.
    When it’s time to go, I give Holly the cash and she goes up to the bar to pay.  I notice a lot of chat again, with Jed, and I see them both get out their phones.  The modern way of swopping numbers – no paper required any more – just a quick call.  He bends down and kisses Holly’s cheek; I stand up and walk towards them.  She introduces me and I’m slightly mesmerised by his stunning, piercing blue eyes which twinkle at me.  I can see that Holly’s cheeks have a pink blush and I’m pretty sure it’s not the alcohol having that effect.
    “I’ll be in touch,” he says, as we walk towards the exit.
    “Okay,” she says, holding the door open for me, her eyes looking back to him.
    When the door closes and we’re walking home, I take her arm and say, “Jed’s rather nice.  What’s he do for a living?”  A typical mother comment, but it does tend to show you a little bit about the person.
    “He’s a barrister.”
    “Wow.  Impressive.”
    “He’s certainly got the gift of the gab … funny to