Julia's Rose

When Richard and Julia moved cities it was a joint decision. Richard's job was the driving force – move and you get promoted now, stay put and you may get promoted in a couple of years.

"It's a no brainer," was Julia's immediate, supportive response.

So they moved away from family and friends and the city that had been home to both of them throughout their childhoods and to which they'd both returned after University. Julia, a nurse, was able to find immediate employment herself in the local hospital near their new home, they found a more than comfortable new house in a very up-market area, way in excess of anything they would have been able to afford back home and all looked good.

They soon settled into their new routine, made some new friends among their neighbours and appeared to be very happy. Six months in, however, Richard sensed that all was not quite as well as it seemed.

"What's up?" he asked over dinner one evening.

"What do you mean? Nothing's 'up', as you put it," replied Julia.

"Yes," he insisted, "something is. I can tell that there's something niggling at you. Won't you share it with me? We've never had secrets."

After a little more coaxing, and over the rest of the wine bottle, Julia told him that while she was 100% behind there move and that she was thoroughly enjoying their lifestyle and everything that went with it, there was one thing missing. She missed going out from time to time with her girlfriends.

"That's easily fixed," said Richard. "Take a weekend. Go back and have a really good time for a couple of days and enjoy yourself."

Julia was delighted at the suggestion and agreed that she would do just that, but she added that what she really, really missed was being able to pick the phone up to any one of her friends at the end of a tough day at work and just go out there and then for an impromptu night out.

"Just a drink and a chat," she added, "nothing more. But I don't really know people round here well enough yet, and I just miss being able to do that. No big deal, but since you asked, that's 'what's up'. OK"