Tanya sat at her computer, but her eyes weren’t on the screen—they were fixed on the window. The last warm days of September were slipping away, and yet her thoughts weren’t on the weather. Instead, she was thinking about what to do with her unexpected bonus.
“Anton needs new trainers. The boy’s growing like a weed, and his old ones are practically falling apart. And he’ll need a new jacket soon, but by spring, he’ll have outgrown it anyway. Maybe I should save the money for a holiday—finally take him to the seaside next summer…” But just then, Emma walked into the office, cutting off her train of thought.
“What do you think? Look at this—I bought a new coat! Suits me, doesn’t it? Cost a fortune, but it’s worth every penny.” She spread her arms wide, showing off the new purchase. “Well?”
“New boots too? Suede?” asked Claire, Tanya’s office neighbour. “One walk in the rain on these pavements, and they’ll be ruined.”
*Maybe I should buy a new coat too? I’ve been wearing the same one for four years. But Mum… Mum won’t understand. She’ll have a right go at me. I’m nearly forty, and I’m still scared of what she’ll say. Haven’t I earned the right to treat myself just once? It’s not like it’ll hurt the family budget. I worked for this money. I can spend it how I want. Emma’s only four years younger than me, but she seems a decade freer. Then again, she doesn’t have a ten-year-old son or a strict mum who still treats her like a silly little girl.*
Meanwhile, the girls were bickering.
“Oh, stop it. You’re just jealous. I’ll wear wellies in the rain. You lot are so dull. I’m off to show the girls in accounts,” Emma huffed before flouncing towards the door.
“Emma, wait,” Tanya called after her. “Where did you get it?”
“Fancy it, do you?” Emma turned back, grinning. “Here.” She pulled a loyalty card from her pocket. “Address is on there, and you’ll get a decent discount.”
“Oh, I was just asking,” Tanya stammered, her eyes glued to the card.
“Come off it, you only live once. Right, I’m off to show the others,” Emma said, breezing out of the office—leaving the card on the desk.
“What’s on your mind, Tans?” Claire peeked over her monitor.
“I could do with a new coat. Got my bonus—maybe it’s time?”
Claire shrugged.
“Expensive and impractical. Emma’s boyfriend drives her to work. You’d be squeezing onto the Tube at rush hour in yours. And your mum… Oh, Tanya, she’ll rip into you *and* the coat.”
They both burst out laughing.
“Easy for you to say, you’ve got a husband. You buy new clothes every season. I’ve spent my whole life scrimping—first saving for the flat, then food, and Anton’s growing like a weed, never enough money for him. If there’s anything left, I try to squeeze something out for myself. I’m chuffed if I can grab something on sale,” Tanya sighed.
“Oi, overthinking again? Then don’t. Just go to the shop after work,” sensible Claire advised. “Though, no offence, you dress like a middle-aged mum. Emma’s a flirt, but men fall for her like flies. *You’re* gorgeous. And you’ve a heart of gold. Put some effort in, and you’d have them lining up. First impressions matter. Men are shallow. And ignore your mum. Treat yourself.” Claire winked and ducked back behind her screen.
***
Tanya married late. With a strict mum—a former maths teacher—it was a miracle she married at all. All her life, she’d been terrified of disappointing her, the perennial straight-A student.
Not that her mum didn’t have reasons. She’d raised Tanya alone. Before she was five, her parents split—her dad drank too much. Money was always tight, life was hard. Child support? More like empty promises. Five years later, he vanished completely. Her mum tried finding him—he *was* a person, after all—but he might as well have never existed. Maybe he wasn’t even alive. Gone, along with any hope of support.
Tanya graduated top of her class, worked hard, but her love life floundered. Men liked *her*—just not her mum. Too handsome? Bound to stray. Divorced and homeless? Just after the flat.
Her friends were on second marriages, kids in school, while Tanya hadn’t had a proper relationship. Finally, she met someone her mum *tolerated*. Not approved—just didn’t interfere. *Time’s running out. Do you want to die an old maid? I’d like grandkids before I retire.*
After the wedding, Tanya moved in with her husband and got pregnant almost immediately. Then the problems started. Little Anton hardly slept, her husband grew irritable, started staying out late. One day, he came home and said he’d had enough—he’d met someone else.
Tanya took Anton and moved back in with her mum. At first, she hoped he’d come to his senses—but he wouldn’t even answer her calls.
“I *knew* this would happen. You never could read people. Too trusting—easy to fool,” her mum ranted while Tanya stayed silent. What could she say? Arguing only led to shouting, and Anton didn’t need that.
Her mum adored her grandson and eventually calmed down. But Tanya couldn’t so much as sneeze without her approval. Conflict-averse, she tiptoed around arguments. When Anton turned two, he started nursery, and Tanya went back to work.
But he kept getting sick. Her mum retired and looked after him. Between her wage and her mum’s pension, they scraped by—still saving bit by bit for a seaside trip, fresh fruit, sunshine. Anton was bright, affectionate. For him, Tanya could endure anything.
***
Outside the boutique’s glass doors, racks of clothes visible inside, her courage faltered. She hovered, uncertain. If she left now, she’d never come back. Tanya took a deep breath and pulled the door open. A delicate chime rang overhead.
Before she could look around, a young woman approached.
“Good afternoon! We’ve just got in our autumn collection, and last season’s stock is on sale. What are you after—coats, jackets, blazers?” The assistant smiled warmly, as if Tanya’s nervousness and high-street outfit didn’t faze her.
“A coat. I need a coat.” Tanya forced a smile, trying to hide her nerves.
“Size twelve? Come this way.” The assistant led her deeper into the shop. “You’re lucky—with legs like yours, you shouldn’t hide them under anything too long.” She rifled through hangers before selecting one. “Try this first, just to check the fit.”
Tanya hated it. It hung like a sack. She already regretted coming.
“Not right? Try this.” The assistant handed her a pale, almost cream-coloured coat.
Tanya slipped it on—and froze. It hugged her perfectly, ending just below the knees. She straightened, chin lifting without thought.
“Stunning. Wait here.” The assistant vanished, returning with a soft pink scarf, draping it artfully around Tanya’s neck.
“It’s like it was made for you. Only one in stock—been waiting for the right person. Plenty admired it, but it didn’t suit them. You’re so slim. It’s *perfect* on you.”
Tanya saw it too. Then she checked the price tag—and her heart sank.
“Don’t worry. Pure wool, easy to clean. Since it’s the last one, and not a common size, I’ll give you a proper discount. One sec.”
Tanya nearly took it off to leave. Too expensive, too light. But then the assistant returned with a shoebox.
“Try these ankle boots. We’ve got all sizes.”
Flustered but too polite to refuse, Tanya tried them on. They fit like they were custom-made—the heels oddly comfortable. Proper quality, not the cheap stuff she usually bought. Staring at the mirror, she barely recognised herself.
“So? Taking them?”
“Yes,” she blurted, afraid she’d hesitate.
The bonus barely covered it—she even dipped into her wages. *Mum’s going to kill me.*
“Keep them on. I’ll bag your old things.” The assistant beamed.
“New winter collection arrives next month—do come back.”
All the way home, Tanya rehearsed excuses. Too self-conscious for the Tube, she walked, certain everyone was staring. Only at her doorstep did she realise she still had no plan.
Before she could enter, her mum appeared in the hall.
“Where have you—” She broke offThe next winter, with her mother’s grudging approval, they all went on that long-awaited seaside holiday—and Tanya wore the coat every single day, rain or shine, just because she could.
