You dart about the world like a spring lamb
Well make magic happen, Charlotte, just you wait and see. Rebecca threw her arms wide, perched on the windowsill of their university halls. Youll be consulting, Ill be marketingbam! Our own firm, mark my words. Weve got everything ahead of us!
Charlotte looked up from her revision notes and laughed, flicking her long, heavy braid over her shoulder.
Becca, finals are next week and youre already building an empire.
So what, cant a girl dream now and then? Rebecca hopped off the sill, landing on the sagging mattress beside her. Seriously, Charlie. Were not like those hens from our course, stuck in their routines. Were clever, and well break through. I know it.
Charlotte put her pen aside and studied her friendmessy, faded t-shirt, but eyes sparkling with fire. And inexplicably, in that moment, she believed her absolutely.
Well break through, Becca. We will. She murmured.
Ten years swept past in a single breath…
…Charlotte clawed her way through those years. She interned at a global firm, sacrificed sleep for reports, studied business English at dawn and Mandarin at weekends. She attended forums, built new connections, and pushed herself to the top, scraping elbows and bruising knees but never stopping. By thirty, Charlotte wore tailored suits of Italian wool, flew out to Tokyo for negotiations, and couldnt recall the last time exhaustion brought her to tearsthere simply wasnt time.
…Rebecca met Michael in their third year. He was a car mechanic, carried the scent of petrol, and looked at her as though she was the only woman on earth. In her fourth year, Rebecca became pregnant; in her fifth, she dropped out. The marketing agency vanished somewhere between her daughters first tooth and the arrival of a second child. Her new empire was a three-bedroom flat in the suburbs, where she orchestrated pots, tantrums, and the perpetually leaky tap.
They still met up occasionally, but less and less often.
Charlotte brought back gifts from business tripsa silk scarf from Milan, a set of rare mountain teas from Yunnan. She would pull out photos, show Kyotos temples, and recount tense talks with Japanese partners.
They dont say things outright, imagine! All hints and undertones. I spent three months learning etiquette just so I wouldnt make a fool of myself at the first meeting.
Rebecca would nod, turn the tea bag in her hands, and say nothing. Then, shed sigh heavily.
Lucky you. Michaels always at work, Sophies brought yet another bug home, we never have enough money…
Charlotte didnt know what to say. A wall seemed to have built itself between themdifferent lives, different languages, different scentsher perfume, costing two hundred pounds, versus Rebeccas baby powder.
…For Rebeccas birthday, Charlotte arrived straight from the airport. Navy suit, heels, hair styled hours ago in the business lounge. She slipped easily into the crowd, laughing, discussing her new project, catching admiring glances from the men and respectful ones from the women.
Rebecca sat tucked away in the corner…
Her dress was old, from Michaels work party three years ago. Hair pulled into a simple ponytailno time for the hairdryer, not with Sophies morning meltdown. She watched Charlotte shine at the centre of the room, everyone listening open-mouthed, and inside her something dark and sticky began to rise.
It wasnt envy.
It was worse…
Charlotte slipped into the kitchen for some water and froze in the doorway. Rebecca stood by the window, clutching her glass of wine, staring through the darkness.
Rebecca, why are you hiding here by yourself? Charlotte moved closer, gently touched Rebeccas shoulder. Come on, Nadias bringing out the cake.
Rebecca shrugged her off, her shoulder tense.
Go. Theyre waiting for you.
Charlotte frowned but didnt back away. She poured water, took a sip, then ventured quietly,
Ive been meaning to ask… I know you miss work. Theres an opening at my companya junior role, but with room to grow. I can have a word with HR, youd get an internship, and then
Rebecca slammed her glass onto the worktop; wine splashed out in a red pool.
An internship? She turned, and Charlotte stepped back at the look on her face. For me? An internship?
Rebecca, I just wanted to help
Help? Rebecca burst out laughing, but the sound was shrill and bitter. Do you hear yourself? The great Charlotte Bennett stooping to offer charity to her pathetic little mate. Thanks for your generosity!
Youre getting it wrong, Charlotte tried to keep calm, I can see youre unhappy and want more. Im just showing you a path forward.
Did I ask you? Youve changed, Charlie. Used to be normal, now Youre proud, haughty even. You look down on everyone with your Tokyos and posh suits.
Thats not fair.
Not fair? Rebeccas voice rose and someone peeped in from the living room before retreating. Is it fair that you parade your perfect life everywhere? Every day on Instagramits you in a plane, you at a conference, your smoothie for five hundred pounds! Do you think thats fun to watch?
Charlotte was winded, caught off guard.
Im sharing happiness, Rebecca. Thats natural.
Happiness? Rebecca scoffed. Youre just showing off! Telling everyone how brilliant you are, leaving us as failures. Normal women in their thirties have a husband and kids. But you? You dart around the world like a spring lamb, not a husband, not a child. Empty blossom!
That phrase struck Charlotte deep, right at her most vulnerable core.
I worked hard, Charlotte fought the tremor in her voice, I slogged away at night while you watched soaps. I learned languages while you cooked stews. That was my choice, and I have a right to it.
Oh, spare me! You trampled over people, thats what. Think I dont know how you elbowed Marianne out at work? Selfish! Always putting yourself first!
Charlotte fell silent, staring at her former friendquivering lips, red splotches on her cheeks, years of pent-up bitterness finally spilling over.
And suddenly, it was all so clear. Nauseatingly clear.
You dont hate me, Rebecca, Charlotte said quietly. You hate yourself. For not risking it. For giving up. Its easier to imagine Im the villain than admit you were frightened.
Rebecca grew pale.
Get out!
Im gone. Charlotte set her glass on the counter and walked to the door. Goodbye, Rebecca. Enjoy your cosy domestic kingdom.
She grabbed her bag from the hook and pushed open the door. Cold English rain lashed her face but she didnt flinch, striding into the grey curtain.
Heels tapping against slick pavement, her expensive suit soaked and sticking to her back; mascara surely streaked down her cheekswho cared now? Charlotte headed for the tube station, and with each step, breathing grew easier.
It was oddshe expected pain. Expected grief for fifteen years of friendship, the girl with fiery eyes on a chilly windowsill, those shared ambitions and dreams. But instead, only relief settled in, dull and faintly shameful.
Their friendship hadnt died today. It faded year by year, conversation by conversation. Each time Charlotte shared a joy, met with pursed lips. Every time she explained her plans and Rebecca rolled her eyes. Every time she tried to pull Rebecca out of her rut, only to be dragged down herself.
Charlotte descended into the Underground, and sat on an empty bench, ignoring the wet trails she left behind. She pulled out a compact, glanced at her reflectionmascara smears, wild hair, red eyes. She smiled, shut the compact, and put it away.
Tomorrow, shed rise at six, style her hair, slip into another suit, and head to work. Because life doesnt stop for the envy of others
A month later, Charlotte was called into the managing directors office. She entered, prepared for anythinga new project, criticism, another negotiation marathon. But Mr. James quietly handed her a folder, and Charlotte glanced at the top page.
Appointment as Regional Director for Asia.
Annual contract in Singapore.
Youve earned it, Charlotte Bennett, James leaned back in his chair. The board voted unanimously. You fly out in three weeksenough time to prepare?
Charlotte looked up from the documents and nodded.
Enough time.
She exited the office, clutching the folder, and allowed herself a few seconds in the empty corridor. Outside, the November sun set, streaking the sky with gold and crimson. Somewhere in the suburbs, Rebecca was almost certainly preparing dinner, complaining to Michael about the unfairness of life.
But Charlotte was packing her bags for Singapore.
And never, not once for a single moment, did she regret the path she chose. As they sayeveryone learns their own way.
