The Bankruptcy*276
14/06/11
16:49
Page 51
‘No it wasn’t that much,’ answered Rick. ‘I got a bonus and the ring was on offer, down from £800 to £600.’ I thought of what I’d spend 600 quid on, definitely a holiday, no question about it. ‘Anyway, there was a reason for splashing out,’ continued Rick. ‘We also got engaged last week.’ And he turned to Abby and kissed her passionately in front of myself and Austen, before we could offer our congratulations. After Abby had recounted the details of Rick’s bended-knee moment, we moved onto coffees. ‘When are you going to meet a nice girl? I heard you’re single again?’ asked Abby, looking at me. ‘Oh, I’m alright as I am, I’m happy to enjoy my freedom until the right one comes along,’ I said, trying to quash the line of enquiry. A more candid, but probably inappropriate answer given the occasion, would’ve been ‘somebody who’s up for a good time’, or ‘someone who’s not afflicted with the British rush to do everything by the time you hit 30’. No wonder so many people get to middle age, panic and end up making a mess of things trying to recapture their lost youth. Maybe it’s a consequence of my upbringing, but I’ve a theory that the high number of people who experience mid-life crises can be blamed on this premature obsession with maturity. Tuesday 12 February, 2002 10.30 a.m. Office. Goddammit! An untimely letter from the Student Loans Company. My higher salary means I’m no longer entitled to deferment. I’d completely forgotten about them. Seven grand’s worth of distant memories coming home to roost 51