‘I’m so middle class, it’s embarrassing,’ I said to mum. ‘I really need to learn to spend less than I earn; not more.’ My mum lent me some money to get me through January. Acceptable if you’re a student; less so if you’re in your mid-30s with few responsibilities.
‘Oh you’re not middle class, darling,’ mum responded. ‘You’re positively jet set.’ I laughed.
‘Oh no, I blame the modern world – having friends living in far-flung locations and inviting me to visit or travel with them,’ I said. Monique has just asked if I fancy walking the Camino de Santiago in summer 2017 (we have at least two trips in the offing this year already); another friend sent me a 40th birthday invite with more than a year’s notice, which was rather confusing.
‘I really need to start putting some money aside for my nephew,’ I continued, just as the line broke up. ‘Oh that’s sweet of you, darling,’ mum responded.
‘No, I SHOULD,’ I clarified.
Another friend has a birthday this week. She’s booked a very good but pricy restaurant. ‘Do you mind if I don’t join?’ I asked. ‘I’m still broke after the trip to Oman.’
‘You have to come. I’ll pay for you,’ she replied without hesitation. Of course I’m going and won’t let her pay for me.
‘Some of my friends have expensive taste,’ I added, during my Skype call with mum. ‘Five-star hotels, expensive restaurants…’ My mum was full of sympathy and kindly omitted the truth; that we are the sum of the company we keep.
