Posted on Thursday, 4 December 2003

Lizzy pulled herself up from the chair and sighed heavily.

“Hullo”, said Bill, “How are you this fine morning”?

She glanced out of the window and noticed that she was still at work even though it was now ten in the morning on a Saturday. Lizzy cursed under her breath, “Tired and busy so if you will excuse me Bill I have to leave, I have to pick up Molly” Lizzy replied.

The elderly old man glanced at Lizzy and noticed that she appeared to have had a rough night, but he knew her well enough to know not to interfere. Bill pushed his bright white hair back into the hat it was already escaping from, and shuffled into the office corridors with his mop and bucket.

Lizzy glanced at her reflection in the mirror and decided that although her grey skirt suit was a little crumpled it would have to do, after all who was going to meet on the way to her ex-husband's house? She glanced harder at the mirror and was not content at its reflection. Her brown hair was escaping the French knot it was tied in; her makeup was a little smudged so she made up her face again. Her tights were slightly laddered so she removed them and sat down to think about where her life was going. Elizabeth Bennet was a successful PA who gave off the impression that she was single and had no worries behind her, such as children. After feeling a slight pang of guilt Lizzy remembered that she did indeed have a daughter, she stood up and studied her face one last time in the mirror, She glanced at the clock again and saw it was now 10:30, grabbed her things, and left the office block in search of her car.

Lizzy arrived at her ex-husbands house at 11, already an hour late. Smoothing out her skirt and patting her hair she knocked at the large wooden door in front of her.

“Liza, How marvelous to see you!” A shrill women’s voice exclaimed, “I thought you were never to come!”

Lizzy grimaced and bit back any snide comments that were about to escape. “Caroline, so sorry I am late. Where is Molly?” Lizzy asked politely, “Well”, thought Lizzy, “Might as well be nice to the woman”. Caroline was 23 and only just graduated from university; she had long blonde hair and perfectly manicured nails. Caroline was everything a girl of 23 should be, content with life, no major worries, and no children, and not forgetting the main fact, Caroline had Lizzy’s ex-husband, George. Lizzy on the other hand was 25, so felt a little bitter towards Caroline for her youth, also due to the fact that she did not have a child look after like Lizzy did when she was the same age.

A girl coming down the stairs caught the attention of the women, the girl had long auburn hair that reached her mid back, with striking blue eyes that seemed to look straight into you with every glance. “Mom!” the girl called, “You’re here” Molly ran into Lizzy’s arms and gave her a hug, “Why are you late?” Lizzy breathed in the scent of her daughter and remarked with distaste that she smelt of cheap perfume.

“I’m sorry, I had to er, pick you up a present” Lizzy lied quickly, “But you will only get it when you get home” Molly pouted, but as she was not a child who was prone to having temper tantrums she brightened up and went to collect her belongings.

The uncomfortable pause which was left after Molly went away was broken by Caroline, “George will be back soon, Liza. Do you want to talk to him?” Lizzy wondered what on earth would actually induce her to talk to her ex-husband, but she didn’t need to worry about what to answer as Caroline answered for her, “Yes, I’m sure you will. Oohh While I remember, Molly and I went out shopping yesterday and bought lots of nice clothes, she will be bringing them home. One piece was stunning, a lovely orange party dress, it suited Molly’s colouring perfectly.”

Lizzy grimaced at the mental pictures of her daughter dressed up in a garish orange ‘designer’ dress. “Why, er, thank you Caroline, that’s very, um, kind of you” Lizzy managed to say.

“Liza, how many times must I ask you to call me Caro? All my friends do!” Lizzy was spared of commenting because Molly walked through the door.

“Have you asked her Auntie Caroline?” The innocent question was asked, “I do want to go soo much, Can I go mom?"

Lizzy looked at Caroline for some clarification, the look was not lost on her who promptly responded “You see, Liza, George and I are having a little dinner party, only about 8 people are invited, and we, that is George and I are hoping you would go. At the same time as the party there would be childcare provided”

Lizzy looked at Molly, who fixed her mother with those puppy dog eyes which she knew her mom could not resist “I guess that would be, er, great.” After fixing the arrangements Lizzy and Molly left, each carrying a large bag full of orange and brown clothes.