They rediscovered each other via a reunion website and arrange to meet for
lunch in a wine bar.
Rachel arrived first, wearing camel Versace. She ordered a bottle of
chilled Chablis.
Clare arrived shortly afterwards, in grey Chanel. After the required
ritualised kisses she joined Rachel in a glass of Chablis.
Then Sam walked in, wearing a faded old Barbour anorak, blue jeans and
Wellington boots. She too shares the wine.
Rachel explained that after leaving school and graduating from Oxford in
Classics she met and married Timothy, with whom she has a beautiful
daughter. Timothy is a partner in one of London's leading law firms.
They live in a 4000 sq. ft house in North London, where Susanna, their
daughter, attends drama school. They have a second home in the hills
above Monte Carlo.
Clare graduated from King's College and became a Consultant Gynaecologist.
Her husband, Clive, is a leading A&E Consultant. They live in Dulwich
and have a second home in Florida.
Sam explained that she left school at 17 and ran off with her boyfriend,
Ben. They run a tropical bird park in Norfolk and grow their own
vegetables. Ben can stand four parrots side by side on his willy.
Half way down the third bottle of Chablis, several hours later, Rachel
blurted out the her husband isn't Tim, he's Tom and he's a clerk for
Islington Council. They live in a terraced house in Muswell Hill and keep
a caravan in France.
Clare, chastened and encouraged by her old friend's honesty, confessed
that she and Clive are nurses in King's College. They live in Herne Hill
and have a timeshare in Orlando.
Samantha said that the fourth parrot had to stand on one leg.
