“Someone got out of bed on the wrong side. Don’t you remember Duddly? I pestered Gran for months about getting a kitten. You didn’t want anything to do with a pet. Then, after he came to live with us, you wouldn’t leave him alone.”
Becky yanked her lace tight. “I was ten years old. It’s not the same.”
“Of course, it is. Duddly was never any bother. He didn’t even pee on the floor.”
“That’s because he was potty trained before we got him.”
“Well, then. Choose a cat that already knows how to stay clean.”
Mary skidded to a stop in front of Molly. “I showed Becky the pictures of the kittens.”
“How did it go?”
“I don’t know, but Becky read all about them.”
Molly launched into her super-bendy stretching routine she always did before a run. “I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.”
Becky clicked Mary’s bicycle helmet into place and then glared at her sister. “We’d best be heading out before you inspire Mary to adopt an elephant.”
“I’m not that bad,” Molly said with a chuckle. “Although I can see the advantages. Especially when you don’t want to talk about the most obvious issues we’d be dealing with.”
“That could be any number of things.”
“Including Sean,” Molly said cheekily. “I’m looking forward to the full story once Mary is playing at the park.”
Becky picked up the house keys. “You might be waiting a lot longer than that.”
After a sprint toward the playground,Becky placed her hands on her knees and sucked in an enormous lungful of air.
Molly collapsed onto the seat beside her. “I need to do more exercise.”
“I’ll be on the swing,” Mary said as she leaped off her bicycle and unclipped her helmet.
Becky nodded and caught the helmet as it flew through the air. “We’ll be here.” She looked at her sister and sighed. “We’re getting old.”
“Some days I’d be inclined to believe you, but not today.” Molly lifted her arms above her head and started stretching. “It’s been a rotten week, what with Edith wanting to take Mary away, then flying across the country to spend time with our baby girl. At least Adam is doing all he can to limit Edith’s contact with Mary.”
“It shouldn’t have to be that way. She’s Mary’s grandma and she deserves a place in her life, but not the way she would like.”
“Don’t feel guilty. She doesn’t deserve it. Where is Edith now?”
“Hopefully, on her way home.” Becky sat on the wooden seat. “I want it to be over. I want Mary to know her place in our lives and for Edith to abide by Jamie and Sophia’s wishes.”
“She probably thinks they were pressured into appointing you as Mary’s guardian.”
“I don’t know why. It was the last thing I expected.”
Pushing herself upright, Molly placed her left leg on the seat and stretched her hamstrings. “If we’re to be discussing the unexpected, how are the wedding plans going?”
“Almost finished. Matthew is taking his brothers for their suit fittings soon. Apart from decorating the barn, we’re finished.” She looked across the playground at Mary. She was happily swinging high in the air, her pale gold hair spread out behind her like a glowing halo. Just thinking about Mary not being here brought tears to her eyes.
Molly stopped stretching and leaned over to Becky, wrapping both arms around her. “It won’t come to that.”
“We don’t know what will happen.”
“Thinking the worst doesn’t help anyone. Tell me about the pretend engagement party. Is everyone able to come?”
Taking a deep breath, Becky pushed her sad thoughts to one side. “So far, most of the people Matthew and Ashley invited are coming. It will be a wonderful day.”
