‘Happy?’ Viv blinked. ‘I don’t know. Is anyone happy? Really happy, I mean? People pretend they are.’
‘I don’t know either,’ said Helen, after a moment. ‘Happiness is a fragile sort of thing these days. It’s as only there’s so much to go round.’
‘As if it’s on the ration.’
‘Yes exactly! And so you know, when you’ve got some, that it’s going to run out soon; and that keeps you from enjoying it, you’re too busy wondering how you’re going to feel when it’s all gone.’