‘That’s why they pay you the big bucks,’ I replied, cheerfully toasting her with my homemade margarita. ‘It can’t be helped, you’ll get back when you get back.’
‘About that.’
‘Go on.’
‘It could be quite a bit longer. I might not get back until next week.’
The left-hand corner of my mouth twitched uncontrollably.
‘That’s it, you’re coming up here,’ she ordered. ‘I’ll book the flights and order a car, you just pack your bags.’
‘No, really, it’s not a problem,’ I insisted even though I didn’t entirely believe myself as I said it. ‘You’re busy, I’m fine. Please don’t stress about me, I’m golden.’
Her eyebrows came together in one long furry caterpillar of doubt.
‘You’re sure? It’s no bother, Pheebs, I can have my assistant sort it all out. We’d get you your own room, you wouldn’t be an inconvenience.’
‘As warm and inviting as that sounds, I’m very sure.’ I flipped my phone around to remind my sister of the charms of her garden. ‘A private pool, my own hot tub, every streaming service under the sunanda personal trainer to take me out for pancakes? Not too shabby for Phoebe.’
When I turned the screen back around there was a ghost of a smile on Suzanne’s tired face. ‘So you’ve met Bel?’
‘Someone forgot to cancel their morning HIIT workout,’ I confirmed. ‘Aren’t you the same woman who told me cardio was a tool of the patriarchy? Since when do you have a trainer?’
‘Since our grandmother died of a major heart attack?’
The hollow rush of grief surprised me the way it always did whenever someone mentioned Gran unexpectedly. Three years gone and it felt like yesterday.
‘She was seventy-seven and we’ve both been checked out, it wasn’t anything hereditary,’ I said before filling my voice with forced cheer. ‘Anyway, you’ll be pleased to know Bel took me out for brunch and it was delightful.’
‘Really?’
‘Mostly,’ I replied. ‘She offered to take me to the beach tomorrow but I don’t know if I really want to go. I might cancel.’
‘Our beaches are hideous,’ she replied, wrinkling her nose with distaste. ‘If you’re that desperate to sit in the sand and stare at the sea, I can book you a flight to Hawaii and meet you there when I’m done.’
I stared at my sister through the screen of the iPad. ‘Just how much money do you make? Because it’s clearly too much.’
Her tell-tale diamond earrings sparkled under her hotel room lights as she laughed. ‘Haven’t you ever heard the saying never ask a man his salary or a woman her age?’
‘Thankfully, no, because it’s a stupid saying. Also, you’re my sister and I can ask you whatever I want.’ Even if you never give me a straight answer, I added silently.
‘Whatever, if you’ve already told Bel you’ll go, you’re going,’ she warned. ‘You can’t cancel on her. When I had the flu, she really looked after me, you’ve never seen so much green juice. I think she put an entire field of celery through my blender. You be nice to her.’
‘I’m being very nice,’ I sniffed. ‘When am I not nice?’
She waited for me to answer my own question but I refused to bite.
‘All I’m saying is, she doesn’t do sarcasm and she takes everything to heart, so tread carefully. The poor thing’s had a terrible year – did she tell you she was up for a part in the newStar Warsshow? Lost out in the final round when she clocked the director in the chops with her lightsaber.’
‘That might be the only thing she didn’t tell me. Did you know she played second ovary in a tampon commercial three years ago? It’s on YouTube, in case you’re interested,’ I replied, looking down at the open notebook beside me as my sister snorted with laughter. ‘Really, Suze, you don’t need to worry about me and you don’t need to worry about Bel. I will be nice. So nice, I’m going to help her seduce the love of her life.’
The snort of laughter turned into a deep, wary inhale.
‘Is that right?’
‘Yes,’ I confirmed. ‘She’s in love with your neighbour. Completely obsessed with him.’
Suzanne looked perplexed. ‘Are you talking about Ren? Around the corner?’
