‘Evie,’ Debra tried again in the special patient voice she kept for coping with her wayward friend.

‘Skip it, Deb. I know what you’re going to say, and I’m afraid the answer’s no. One term I promised, because that’s all I can do. It’ll be over soon and then you won’t see me for dust.’

‘But the Head’s knocked out by the way you’ve clicked with the pupils. He really wants you to stay.’

‘Nope. I just filled in while the language teacher had her baby. She’s had him now, a bonny, bouncing boy, which means it’s time for me to go bouncing off into the sunset.’

‘But she doesn’t really want to return, and I have strict instructions to persuade you to stay on, full time.’

Evie’s response to this was to back away along the bench with an alarmed little cry, like somebody fending off an evil spirit.

‘What’s up with you?’ Debra demanded.

‘You said the fatal words,’ Evie accused her, wild-eyed.

‘What fatal words?’

‘Full time.’

‘Stop fooling around,’ Debra said, trying not to laugh.

Evie resumed her normal manner. ‘I never do anything full time, you know that. I need change and variety.’

‘But you said you like teaching.’

‘I do-in small doses.’

‘Yes, that’s the story of your life, isn’t it? Everything in small doses. A job here, a job there.’

Evie gave a grin that was wicked and delightful in equal measure.

‘You mean I’m immature, don’t you? At my age I ought to be ready to settle down to a nine-to-five job, one offspring and two-point-five husbands.’

‘I think you mean that the other way around.’

‘Do I? Well, whatever. The point is, you think I should be heading for a settled life, suitable for a woman approaching the big “three”. Well, nuts to it! I live the way I want. Why can’t people accept that?’

‘Because we’re all jealous,’ Debra admitted with a grin. ‘You’ve managed to stay free. No mortgage. No ties.’