Babsie gave her a smile.
"Yeah, I'll buy that. What's his problem anyway?"
"I don't know! He obviously has no faith in my ability to make a good life for myself. I should have left a long time ago."
"I think he just hates things to be out of his control."
"Yeah, well, he had better get used to it. I'm not his little girl any more. And I haven't been for a long time."
"Of course not."
Mary eyed Babsie warily.
"Are you patronising me?"
"Does it look like I'm patronising you?"
"Yes."
"Well, I'm not. I totally agree. The guy keeps calling me Barbara for goodness sake. Some people are very rude."
Mary couldn't help but smile.
"Why do you hate being called Barbara so much?"
"I dunno. I think it has something to do with people calling me a barbie doll during primary school."
"And you didn't even have blonde hair."
"Yeah. I know. Work that one out."
There was a kinda of quiet for a moment.
"So, what are ya studying at the moment anyway?"
Mary blushed a little.
"Don't laugh."
"Like that is it?"
"Well… economics. I'm studying to become an economist."
"An economist." Babsie repeated. "Somehow… somehow I can't picture you doing that."
"Yeah, well, all I can say is don't tell Dad. I haven't told him. I'm not going to tell him. I got a bad enough reaction when I told him I was going to Uni."
Babsie grinned.
"My lip are sealed."
"Good."