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Anna took a sharp intake of breath, stunned. “Surely not.”

“I’m serious. I loved my time here so much. It was all downhill after I left.”

“That can’t be true.”

Hayley stared at her beer, confirming it to be the case.

Anna let Hayley’s words sink in. To think the last time Hayley was happiest was her time in Scotland was incredibly sad.

“Get good grades. Get into a good college. Graduate well.” Hayley looked up. “Get a coveted job in the city. Get promoted quickly. Dominate your field. Move into a leadership position. Make money. Work. Work. Work. Blah. Blah. Blah. I did it all and where did it get me? Burnt out and so miserable that all I lived for was the fantasy of quitting. I reached the top, as they say, and it wasn’t all that. All I did was work, so I had very little time or energy left to enjoy other things. I had to pretend to be this corporate robot, which was just the worst. We mould ourselves into these corporate structures. It’d be funny if it weren’t such a waste of human talent. It’s crazy, when you think about it.”

“You achieved a lot, though. You always said you wanted to get to the top and you did. You achieved your goals. That’s got to count for something, right?” Anna sipped her whisky, still in awe of her successful friend even if she was questioning her previous life choices.

“Did I? Who really cares about investment banking? Making money for rich people starts to wear off pretty quickly. At least it did for me.”

“You learned a lot?”

“I did learn a lot. I enjoyed my MBA. I have experience that I can take with me to my next venture.”

Quitting and changing careers was a bold step. But then, Hayley was nothing if not bold. “I think you will be very successful at whatever you do next, and hopefully much happier.”

A huge smile broke out on Hayley’s face. “Thanks. That’s kind. I think the key thing is knowing when to quit something that isn’t setting your soul on fire. It’s knowing when you’re moving in the wrong direction and need to course-correct.”

“And knowing when to come back to Scotland and spend time with your long-lost friend?” Anna smiled, feeling lighter now and like she wanted to open up more given how candid Hayley had been. They always did just put everything out there when they talked, albeit except for one crucial subject on Anna’s part. It felt weird not to be so honest, now. Plus, Anna saw the bigger picture. There was more to each of their lives than what they shared ten years ago, even if it was one of the most life-changing things that had ever happened to Anna. She had moved on.

“Yeah. Exactly. I need to live a little before I go on to whatever I’m going to do next. Scotland seemed like the best place to do that since I loved it here so much at college. I just want to travel around and have new experiences. Finally see it properly, you know.” Hayley shrugged. “Run a bit wild.”

“Knowing you, it will most definitely be wild.”

Hayley laughed. “Not as wild as you might think, Anna. But yes, I do want to have some fun.”

“And prioritise joy and pleasure? I think you wrote that in one of your emails.”

Hayley laughed. “Did I? That sounds about right.”

“I think it’s amazing you’re giving that to yourself.”

“Thanks.” Hayley held her eyes for a few seconds, then picked up her whisky and finished it.

Anna did the same, feeling slightly tipsy now. She wasn’t expecting them to come straight to the pub before dinner. She didn’t normally veer from her routine like this. “Are you ready to go? I have dinner ready to be warmed up in the oven, but I can’t promise my house will be as warm as it is in here for about thirty minutes.”

“I’m ready.”

They passed by the fish and chip shop on the way back and Hayley got excited about having a fish supper again. They agreed to go there soon. Anna’s street was quiet. She was at the end of a row of terraced cottages. It was early April but still felt like winter at this time of night. Anna held open her door for Hayley to enter, self-conscious about having Hayley in her space. “My little house. I should warn you, it’s very small.”

Hayley stepped inside. “It’s delightful. I love that this is where you live.”

There wasn’t much space in the hall for the two of them. Anna took off Hayley’s backpack and they got rid of coats, shoes and bags by the front door. They bumped into one another. “Sorry,” Anna said, stepping out of the way.

“No, it’s my fault. I’m all arms and legs here.”

“I’ll give you the grand tour.”

“Exciting!”

Anna led them the short distance into the open-plan kitchen and living room, then back across the short hall to her bedroom and then pushed open the door to the bathroom. “It’s small but I’m happy here. It’s got a bath and a woodburning stove and a little garden. My neighbours are really good. I’m very lucky.”

“It’s so nice. So cosy! I love it. It feels so homey.”