1.......

Life begins at 40, or so we are constantly told. (Usually by people who are either in their twenties, with a romantic view of middle age, or in their seventies, with a sentimental memory of 'how it was'.)

For Marta though, with less than a month left of her thirties, it felt as though life had flatlined. There was no indication of a blossoming, a regeneration, or any of the wonders she had imagined her fourth decade might bring.

She had a flat in the city, but not enough money to do all the things that she wanted with it.

She had a job in catering, but no real prospects of advancement.

She had a few good friends, but was too tired to keep up with them the way she used to.

39 years old, dissatisfied, and looking for life to begin, Marta knew that her forties weren't going to change her. She would have to change them......