Eleanor’s heart began to race furiously in her chest. How had she managed to erase that completely from her mind? Every time she tried to think back, to recall any moment after Oliver walked away from her, all she was met with was a void.
‘I’m sorry,’ was all she could pathetically muster.
‘You don’t need to be.’ Freya leant over and planted a kiss on her cheek. ‘Now. Let’s blast out some Tina Turner before we have to deal with lunch. It always helps me feel better prepared.’ She flashed her a daring smile and reached for the volume button.
*
‘Darlings!My gorgeous little offspring, there you are at last!’ The bright pink front door opened to reveal the formidable Angela Levy. ‘Look at you both. How can I even be one tiny bit mad at you for being late when you look so delicious?’ She pulled them into a very tight hug.
Eleanor’s nose filled with the sweet scent of her mother’s perfume. Jasmine. The smell of her childhood. She couldjust about make out Freya’s groans as she was pulled closer into their mother’s firm embrace.
‘Mum, let us breathe!’ Freya wrangled herself free from the layers of turquoise chiffon that were starting to wrap themselves around them both.
‘I’m sorry, sweetie. I can’t help it if I miss you somuchthat I want to squeeze every ounce of juice from you both.’ She held Eleanor out in front of her and sighed. ‘Now, how is my eldest baby doing?’
‘I’m good, thanks.’ Eleanor forced her lips into a strange version of a smile. ‘Honestly.’
‘Hmmmm.’ Her mum’s heavily lined eyes narrowed suspiciously. ‘You still look a little worse for wear. Your skin is drier than your grandmother’s roast chicken, God rest her soul. And you’re still a bit too thin for my liking. Us Levy girls look better with a bit of meat on our bones. You can’t look like a sparrow when you’re built to be a swan.’ She hadn’t even paused for breath. ‘Let’s eat!’
Eleanor was pulled through to the kitchen, Freya sniggering behind her. As expected, there was enough food to feed at least ten people. In this household, nothing said love better than a twelve-course meal.
‘Sit sit sit, both of you.’ Their mother flapped wildly at them. ‘Tuck in, it’s all vegan and gluten free. Eat well, live well – that’s what they say, isn’t it?’ she sang.
‘Sure,’ Eleanor mumbled, obediently sitting and starting to spoon tiny portions of everything on to her plate. She knew this lunch was going to be a marathon, and to win the race one had to pace oneself carefully.
‘Now, Freya dear. Tell me about Samuel. How is he doing? When can I meet him? I’ve told all the girls at the shop about him. Rita was practically frothing at the mouth withjealousy. Neither of her girls are even being sniffed at, let alone currently dating an ex-rugby star!’ Their mother’s eyes sparkled, her entire body humming with excitement.
Freya rolled her eyes. ‘Mum, come on. I told you he played rugby for his university, that’s all. He’s not some professional athlete or anything.’ She groaned, playing despondently with a piece of spinach on her plate. ‘And he’s fine. Getting a bit boring, if I’m being honest.’
‘Oh.’ Angela’s face dropped immediately. ‘Well, don’t get rid of him just yet. I need to gloat a little more before I end up back in the same league as Rita.’
‘What league is that, then?’ Eleanor felt the anger spark inside her. ‘The league of women with two embarrassingly single daughters?’ She felt her teeth grind together.
‘Eleanor, please!’ her mother replied curtly. ‘Don’t be so ridiculous. That’s not what I meant at all.’ She smoothed down her silk scarf and took a large sip of her wine, expertly avoiding Eleanor’s eye the entire time. ‘Anger doesn’t look good on you, it never did.’
There was a heavy silence.
‘How’s the shop going, Mum?’ Freya tentatively asked, squeezing Eleanor’s hand under the table.
‘Fantastically, thank you for asking. As you know, they are putting me forward for Regional Manager. I still can’t believe it, but it’s true. We’re thriving, according to the numbers. Thriving!’
Eleanor couldn’t help but feel a little swell of pride for her mum. For all her misguided advice and eccentricities, she really was a force to be reckoned with.
‘I am loath to ask, but have you been to visit your dad lately?’ Her mum’s stare was all-knowing but her voice remained bright and breezy.
Eleanor looked guiltily at her sister, praying she was just as negligent.
‘Right, well could you try? You know he’ll appreciate it.’
‘But …’ Freya went to speak.
‘But nothing, Freya Isabelle. You’re his daughters. It’s the least you can do.’
The stony look on their mother’s face was enough to tell them that this wasn’t a fight worth picking.
‘Sorry,’ they both mumbled guiltily.
And then, just like that, Angela Levy broke into a dazzling smile once more.
