Free Miss Murder by Jenny Cosgrove

 
                 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
                                Anna's life never looked like it could fall apart like other people's lives did.
     
    She and Jake, her boyfriend of ten years, lived the perfect DINK lifestyle. Dual income, no kids. Free to use their money as they pleased and live an easy life. They looked like the typical hipster couple. Anna was blonde, long and lithe. She had the build of a gazelle and was one of the best cross country runners during her high school years. Jake had tattoos on both arms and managed a department at Peet's coffee. Making a combined income of over six-figures, they could save. They were considering using their savings to roam the world, then working another ten years and buying a house. Which would sort of make up for Anna's dreary job at the dairy plant. It wasn't anything glamorous, no dairy plant work could realistically be considered glamorous. And it wasn't interesting or exciting either, just the office work that kept the plant in order. Accounts, moving books, telling people when they were too early or late... The only true highlight was her friend, Tina.
     
    And today Tina was late, as usual.
     
    “It's like you don't take your work seriously.” Anna sighed. “You're late by a whole hour today. I should be giving you a form to fill in.”
     
    “But you won't, cause I'm cute.” Tina pulled an exaggerated pout before collapsing into her chair and putting on the kettle. A petite young woman at five-two, she looked up to Anna in more ways than one. Her big brown eyes and ivory skin got her plenty of suitors in the office, even some of the married men couldn't help but ask her out. “Coffee?”
     
    Anna nodded. “Sure, let's have a refill.”
     
    “Can't stay mad at me?” Tina laughed as she reached for her favorite flavor, pumpkin, in the cupboard. She scooped out the brownish-orange powder and poured it into two cups of hot water.
     
    “Not when you're making coffee... Besides, it's not like anyone saw you.”
     
    “ Thank you. ” Tina muttered in a sing-song voice, stirring the brew.
     
    “I wish I could sound as alert and happy as you.”
     
    “Just sleep an extra four or five hours, it'll be fine,” Tina laughed.
     
    “If only I had the time...”
     
    Tina shrugged and handed Anna the hot cup. “It's not like you don't make enough money, why not have a break?”
     
    Anna shook her head. “Nah, Jake and I almost have enough for our round the world year. It's taken a bit, but we'll make it.”
     
    Tina shook her head. “Ten years of savings to blow in a year.” She blew at the steam over her coffee then took a sip. “Mmmmm. I am the best and my coffee is the best.”
     
    Anna laughed, it wasn't like little home grown Tina would get it. “Well, we had the plan, save for ten years, travel the world. Save another ten years, get a house. Save another ten years, retire.”
     
    Tina nodded. “I guess it gets easier as your salaries go up. But it'll be wrecked when you have kids. My sister has three and they're eating her out of house and home.”
     
    Anna scowled. “No kids, no way.” Not for her, at least. She wanted to live a freer, happier life than that.
     
    “You say that now ,” Tina said, testing the heat of the coffee again, “but most folks I know are changing their minds already. The baby bug can still get you.”
     
    Anna shook her head and smiled. “Not me. I'll get a dog.” She laughed a bit and they both settled in for work. No, she wouldn't ever want kids. She was twenty six now, she'd be thirty six when they had a house and forty six when they retired. No time in there to change nappies and run around after babies. Although... “I suppose we might need to spend some money on marriage.” Anna added almost wistfully.
     
    “Marriage?” Tina looked up over her computer.