“There are plenty of those around here.”
“And I’m looking forward to seeing Becky.” He glanced at her and smiled. “It has been a while.”
He was looking forward to seeing her twin.
That was good, wasn’t it? It was good that the two of them got on well. It would have been awkward if a sibling didn’t like your partner, even more so when that sibling was a twin and her closest friend.
“I’m looking forward to seeing her properly too. It feels like ages since we had a proper chat. But I suppose a new job is always tough and time-consuming.”
“Yes, although it shouldn’t be for Becky. She’s a genius. Tobe honest I was surprised she chose that particular company. She would have been snapped up by any number of places. It seemed like a strange choice.”
“Maybe they paid more.”
“That wouldn’t be it. Becky doesn’t care that much about money. She’s more interested in intellectual challenge.”
She swallowed. “You know my sister as well as I do.”
“Well, I’ve known her for a long time. More than five years.”
“Yes.” She kept her attention fixed on the road and told herself not to overthink things. “So if it’s not a better job, why did she move?”
“That’s what I don’t understand. You move jobs for one of three reasons. One, you’ve been fired or there are no prospects where you are—that’s not Becky. Two, someone makes you an offer you can’t refuse, but that’s not Becky either. Three, you want a bigger challenge.”
“Well, there you go. It’s obviously number three on your list.”
“But that job really wouldn’t challenge Becky. She could do it in her sleep.”
It was like being back at school again.Your sister is a genius.
“Well, she must have had a reason for leaving, and no doubt she’ll tell you about it.”
“Yeah, it will be good to catch up. Everyone at the party was saying how much they missed her. We were disappointed that she didn’t join us.”
“You invited Becky?” Why didn’t she know that? “But she didn’t go?”
“No, she said she was busy.”
Rosie was gripping the wheel so tightly her hands had started to hurt. “You didn’t mention that you’d invited her.”
“I didn’t think of it. I assumed she might have mentioned it as you’re in touch all the time.”
“Not all the time. Not since she started the job.” The road conditions were worsening and Rosie slowed her pace. “I’ve seen her a lot less since we were married.”
He shifted in his seat, his long legs cramped by luggage and limited space. “She’s probably been giving us time to ourselves. She’s thoughtful like that.”
Every time he opened his mouth, he seemed to be praising her sister, which would have been nice had it not been for the fact that he didn’t seem to be similarly impressed by Rosie.
All she needed was for him to sayyou’re nothing like your sister.
“It sounds as if you miss her.”
“Yes. She’s good fun. And brilliant, obviously.”
“Obviously.” Rosie stared straight ahead, her creative mind spinning scenarios that hadn’t occurred to her before.
Fun. Brilliant. Friends for years.
She was so distracted by her own thoughts she almost missed the final turn, but at the last moment she registered where she was and turned the wheel sharply.
