London, 4th May 2018

Dear Ella,

Forgive this quick note, and I know it might be too late – have you booked anywhere for Sister Francesca's retirement function on 21st July yet? I know you said in your Easter card that you and Susie were looking at getting somewhere nearby for the night, and I'm sorry I never got back to you one way or the other about joining you. However, if it's not too late to change your plans, I may have an option which will save you money (and be nice in itself).

In some ways this feels a bit strange, and I'm still coming to terms with it myself, but I heard yesterday that I've been offered a job at St Benedicta's (teaching some French and German, and helping with the music), which comes with a little cottage in the grounds – would you like to come and stay with me? I'm moving in about a fortnight before the day itself, so it might not be as homely as it could be, but there'll be enough room for all three of us and it'll be a nice opportunity to catch up – and it would only be a short walk back after the formalities, rather than having to arrange a designated driver or taxi.

I don't have a contact for Susie, but I know you're in touch – do you want to consider it between you and let me know? I'm here until 24th June, then spending a week or two at my parents' before taking the cottage.

I hope everything's fine with work and so on. It'll be strange to be back at the old place again after ten years, but I'm quite looking forward to seeing you both and catching up properly.

Best wishes,

Bea

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Leicester, 11th May 2018

Hi Bea,

Thanks for the card the other day. Congratulations on the job! I assume you're not having to become a nun to join the staff...

Thanks also for the offer of a bed for the night after Sister Francesca's do. Susie and I hadn't got further than looking at a few possibilities, and neither of us have been organised enough to actually book somewhere. So, good offer, thank you! Susie says thanks and congrats, too.

If you're sure it won't be too much having us both so soon after moving in, we'd both love to come and stay with you. It'll be so nice to see you again after so long, and even if we all have to sit on crates it'll be a load more fun than some chintzy old lady's B-and-B.

I'll make sure I bring a bottle or two of something exciting so we can have a house-warming at the same time. I'm sure Susie would normally (she's always liked a glass, as you know) but she's said to warn you that she's pregnant (four months already!) so will be strictly on the fruit juice.

Lovely as it is to get actual post that isn't bills or admin (and you always manage to find such pretty cards!), do you have email? It might be easier as we get nearer the time, in case anything changes at the last minute. Mine's below, along with my mobile number. Do you want Susie's too?

Hope all's well with you too? Have you finished your course now (I want to say, Royal College of Organists??)? What are you up to, work-wise? I see you're still in London, anyway. For my part, things are OK here although busy with the end of the playing season coming up and I can't believe I'm almost at the end of the first year of this PhD already! My supervisor is relaxed about it, though, and making positive noises about what I've done so far. I'm hoping to catch up and get moving on some research over the summer, after the season comes to an end.

Take care,

Ella x

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To: raphaela_neville90

From: beatrice.sullivan1990

Subject: Less pretty but more practical

Date: 15/05/2018

Hello, Ella,

Thanks for the letter – it'll be so nice to see you both, and I wouldn't offer if I thought it wouldn't be practical. Frankly, it'll be nice to have some old familiar faces around as well, at least for a day or so. I promise we'll have something more comfortable than crates to sit on! I have to go up there in half-term week for some preliminary things, and will have a chance to look at the cottage then, but I'm sure it'll be fine. It sounds like it's the one old Sister Mary-Martha used to live in, down by the tennis courts, if you remember that?

I'm glad you've settled in at Loughborough, and are still busy with the playing (and coaching?) in Leicester. Do you still work for the council, too? You'll have to explain what it is you're actually looking at for the PhD in more detail when we meet and I can ask cloth-headed questions.

The MMus was at the Royal College of Music, but that finished last year. The organists thing was a fair guess, though: I am still playing as much as I can, and am thinking about working towards becoming a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists (the equivalent of being chartered as an accountant but less exciting) – but it's a long and demanding process and I don't feel quite ready yet. As for work, I'm supply teaching (languages) in a few schools locally, around freelancing with the music as much as possible. Strange as it will be, being back at St Ben's, it'll be nice to have a steady (and reasonable) income. Going back as a member of staff makes me feel old, though. (And no, I don't have to become a nun, thank heavens. Hence getting the cottage, rather than accommodation in the convent or school block.)

Susie's email might be useful, thanks. Her news is a surprise, but how lovely for her. I didn't know she was married. Is she properly qualified yet? I know it takes ages to become a doctor, but that's probably just as well if they're going to be looking after the rest of us for a living. It seems we're all racing each other to be the last to get a proper job – although perhaps I've just lost that race, thinking about it.

Take care, and see you quite soon.

Best wishes,

Bea

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To: Beatrice Sullivan

From: Ella Neville

Subject: RE: Less pretty but more practical

Date: 16/05/2018

Hi Bea

I do remember that old cottage! Old Double-M was always very kind with a pot of tea and a plate of biscuits to us sportier types. You know she was quite the sportswoman in her day? Used to play tennis pretty well back in the eighteenth century, or whenever it was when she was young! She was a bit of a character when you got to know her. I expect she's passed on now, though, rest her soul.

Susie still isn't married, even though it's the same bloke she's been with since something like their second year, but we mustn't let on to the Sisters when we're there in July. She'll be at least six months gone by then, so there'll be no hiding it, but she's said they absolutely must not know that she's what they'd call 'living in sin'. Her email is below.

Send a pic or two of the cottage when you go, if you can? Just for old times' sake. Good that you don't have to become a nun to teach there – all the perks and none of the ugly habits. (Hah! I've missed making that joke.)

Take care,

Ella x

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To: Ella Neville

From: Beatrice Sullivan

Subject: RE: RE: Less pretty but more practical

Date: 16/05/2018

Ella, even though I for one have been single for as long as I can remember, I have no doubt the Sisters could still find a way in which we're all living in sin, however clean our 'habits'...

See you soon,

Bea

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To: Beatrice Sullivan

From: Ella Neville

Subject: RE: RE: RE: Less pretty but more practical

Date 16/05/2018

Ain't that the truth, Bea!! There's several things about school I miss (you, and Susie, for a good start), but the crushing guilt is definitely not up there on the list!!

That said, like you, my life has been frustratingly blameless for a while in that respect. Isn't it funny that it's Susie who's in the stable long-term relationship, when she was the most casual of the three of us back then?

Ella xx

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To: Ella Neville

From: Beatrice Sullivan

Subject: Logistics

Date: 27/06/2018

Hello, Ella,

I hope you're well. Sorry I haven't emailed recently – I've really enjoyed these little messages back and forth the last few months, and I'm so glad we're back in touch. I'm sorry for the long ranty email the other week about relationships – I'd been taken out for farewell drinks by a couple of friends, and unusually had had the best part of a bottle of wine; no excuse, I know, but the wine was certainly doing at least half the talking.

The last week or two in London was quite hectic. I'd been meaning to email, though, because I've realised I've missed you (both) more than I ever realised, and have been very neglectful of your friendship. I'm so sorry. Thank you for making such an effort over the years with Christmas cards.

Anyway, being back at home for a few days feels like a little hiatus of calm before it all gets busy again, so I'm sorry if I go a bit quiet after I move up there on 3rd.

Susie emailed the other day, and said something about picking you up from the station. I didn't realise you were thinking of coming by train – are you sure? If your work/study schedule allows, and you haven't already bought your ticket, would you like to come on the Friday and stay till the Monday? You'd be really very welcome. You know how awful the train service from Flittingham is on Sundays, and the Saturday will be a terribly early start for you if you don't come the night before.

The reason I ask is not entirely selfless. Sister F has asked if I would give a short recital in the morning of the big day – they had the organ overhauled last year (and it is a joy to play now, I had a quick go when I was up there at half-term); she said it'd be a good opportunity to show it off. It's very flattering of course, but I'm quite unreasonably nervous about it (she only asked me last week) and I'm practising like mad on the one here in dad's church, trying to put a programme together. Anyway, I'm rambling; what it means is that I probably won't be around on Saturday morning when you and Susie were planning to arrive, I'm afraid. The recital is scheduled for 11, and I'll probably go up an hour or two before for a last-minute warm-up.

Susie can't apparently get away until the day itself, and needs to go back on Sunday sometime – shift commitments at her current placement, I understand. (But, as you know, she's not that far away – an hour's drive at the very most.) I've said I'll leave the key to the cottage under a flowerpot by the front door, so she can let herself in and freshen up and change before the reception and buffet. If you're committed to a particular train, or indeed arrangements with Susie, the same applies to you, of course. Make yourselves at home, and I'll see you at the reception at 12.15.

The selfish element of my mucking about with your plans is purely that, if you were able to come the night before, your company would distract me from worrying about the recital. And while I wouldn't expect it of you, and have no right to ask, if you were to come along to the actual performance, I know that having at least one friendly set of ears in the audience would be something of a comfort. However, please don't feel obliged: if you don't want to, you can be around to let Susie in when she arrives. As for your travel, I can pick you up from, and drop you back to, the station at any point over the whole weekend, as I believe my duties as an actual staff member don't start until September so I'll be pretty free.

I feel terrible putting that down in an email, so please don't feel any obligation. It'll be nice to see you however and whenever you arrive.

All the best,

Bea x

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To: Beatrice Sullivan

From Ella Neville

Subject: RE: Logistics

Date: 27/06/2018

Bea, my God, but you have a real knack for getting in touch just at the crucial last minute.

As it happens, I was going to book my train tickets later today. Have had another look just now and it turns out that coming on Friday afternoon and leaving on Monday works out quite a bit cheaper than the original plan (and saves Susie going out of her way on the Sunday to get me to a mainline station). So, if you're really sure, I will exploit your kind offer. The best bet, if I can bunk off work, gets into Flittingham Heath station at 18.34 on the Friday and leaves again on Monday at 14.16. Are you sure that's OK? If so, I'll take a long weekend's leave.

Don't worry about the ranty email, it was very witty and coherent for someone who was pissed. I enjoyed it. I'll have to get you drunk again and we can bitch about singledom together. Also, you silly girl, I'd love to come and hear your recital. How lovely that Sr F wants you to play for her on the big day. She was always very supportive of you and your music, and I've no doubt she's really pleased to have got you back at the place on the staff. Maybe she's showing off the new member of staff as much as the new organ...

Anyway, I'm sure you'll be brill, and have no need to feel so nervous.

It'll be so good to see you again. We have so much to catch up on, and now a bit of time to do so in.

Take care,

Ella xx