Growing up, Harper was my baby sister, prize pain in my arse, like the twins. But in recent years, the gap has closed.
Harper is silent. “I miss you too. How’s Mum?”
“Haven’t you spoken to her?”
“Yes, just before you,” she laughs. “But what she tells me, and what’s the truth, are two different things.”
“She’s doing okay. We all miss you, little rebel.”
“I miss you too, I really do.” Harper pauses. “But Kat. I think this is going to be good for me. Teach me to stand on my own two feet. Here, I’m Brooke Feldmann, a small-town nobody. For the first time ever, I can be whoever I want to be. I’m not constantly worrying about letting anyone else down, of never measuring up.” She sighs. “I’ve never truly known who I am, only what I was expected to be. I’ve spent most of my adult life rebelling,especially after Dad...” She pauses. “I know it’s probably difficult for you to understand.”
I wipe a tear as it tracks its way down my cheek. Goosebumps rising on my arms.
It’s like hearing my inner thoughts all those years ago.
“No, I get it,” I say, forcing my voice to remain steady.
Probably better than most.
“Harps, you have never let us down. This is not your fault, but I get wanting to find yourself. Being a Frazer… We’re all hard on ourselves.” I exhale. “It seems to go with the name, it’s why we stick together, look out for each other.”
It is, after all, what Elijah and Caleb have just tried to do for me.
“Kat, are you okay?” Harper asks suddenly. “You spend all your time worrying about us. What about you?”
“You know me,” I say, chuckling, although the sound is flat.
“You need a break,” she says. “After everything you’ve been through.”
“I wish I could,” I admit. “But work?—”
My eyes catch an incoming message.
Maldives Report - potential issues.
“Hold that thought,” I say, suddenly. “I may check out our new acquisition in the Maldives.”
I make a split-second decision.
“Really?” Harper laughs. “Not quite the break I had in mind, but a working holiday… that’s a start. Make sure you send me plenty of photos. It sounded amazing when you were telling me about it before. Wish I could come with you.”
We both fall silent. “I do too. Next time, rebel.” I say, closing my eyes.
“I’ll hold you to that.”
I smile because, knowing Harper, she will.
“I love you, sis, but I really need to go. As I said, I’m working for a grumpy old fart. He really needs to lighten up.”
“Well, if he’s working with you, I’m sure he will. Love you, little sis.”
“Love you, big sis.”
We disconnect, but the hollow feeling in my chest remains. If Leonard Crawley wasn’t dead, I’d murder him myself for what he’s done to Harper. But I can’t.
“Michael,” I say, picking up my mainline.
“What can I do for you?”
