“Everything’s fine. Why didn’t you pick up your phone? I need to go in to the office this evening, so you need to collect Taylor from school.”
“I’m working, so I don’t have my phone on me. And I’m working the whole day,” Matilda explained. “Is anyone else around to grab her?”
“Your work is flexible, though, and you can normally pick herup.”
Matilda paused for a second, and although I couldn’t see her face, her shoulders were slightly slumped.
“I mean, it’s not flexible; training for the show has just started.”
Lauren stared at her sister, tilting her head imperiously, a silent demand lingering in the air. A twinge of annoyance sparked in my chest at how easily Lauren overlooked the fact that Matilda was so obviously busy.
Matilda caved. “Sure. I’ll grab her at four. What time will you collect her?”
Stepping off the ice to the left of where they stood, I took a seat where I’d left my skate guards.
“I’m not sure. Nine, maybe. I’ll let you know when I leave the office.”
“OK, sure.”
“She will probably have some homework to do, so can you make sure she does it, please, and help her if she needsit.”
“Yeah, of course,” Matilda answered, her fingernails tapping her upper thigh.
Lauren adjusted her bag to her other shoulder, unaware of or unbothered by her sister’s discomfort.
“Wait, did you say training had started? I thought that was next week,” Lauren asked, tone dripping with false sweetness.
“Yeah, training started today, actually.”
I looked up at the same time that Lauren looked over to where I sat. I didn’t care if she thought I was rude, so I didn’t bother acknowledging her with more than a glance. Casting me a long look, she crossed her arms in a futile attempt to push up her nonexistent cleavage.
“Introduce me, will you?” Lauren’s voice dropped an octave.
“Lauren…” Matilda warned in a low whisper.
“What? Don’t be rude,” she snapped.
“You know we’re not supposedto—”
“Stop being so uptight.”
Matilda took a step back but continued, “You know the rules. This is my job—”
I stood and walked toward them, growing tired of their squabbling. Lauren was wasting our time.
“I’m Luca, Matilda’s partner.” I didn’t offer a hand to Lauren.
Lauren’s smile widened and, in that moment, they could almost have passed for twins.
“Lauren.” She placed a hand on her chest. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. How are you finding—”
She was cut off by a shrill ring from her phone. She hesitated, her smile turning tight-lipped as she glanced down at the interruption. She sighed and clenched her teeth. “I’ve got to get this. I’ll speak to you later, Matilda.” She turned to leave before pausing at the double doors. “Can you make sure not to give Taylor anything too carby for dinner? I know you love your pasta and pizza.”
If Matilda was offended by the backhanded insult, she didn’t show it. “She’s eleven, Lauren” was her only response.
“A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips.” She looked Matilda up and down, then turned to appraise me. “I’ll see you at the press event in a few weeks.”
Yeah, fucking right. Even if I was attending, I wouldn’t be spending any time withyou.
