‘But you’re not now, are you?’ Bridie said. She wasn’t being mean. She was just stating a fact. ‘We’re both in the same boat. I’m a theatre actress.’
‘It’s not the same thing.’
‘Of course it isn’t,’ mumbled Bridie, annoyed by the put-down.
‘You know, if you really want to help …’
‘Yes?’ Bridie said eagerly. ‘Anything.’
‘You could pay off my mortgage. Then I wouldn’t have to worry.’ Kate laughed when she saw Bridie’s expression. ‘No pressure!’
Bridie watched her sister shaking her head. ‘You have no idea what it’s like to have the responsibility of a property, Bridie. We’d be better off in rented while we’re out of work, then at least we could claim housing benefit to help pay the rent. Still, you’ll never have to worry – I expect you’ll never own a property in your life.’
Bridie’s eyes drifted to her property along the promenade.
George walked up to Bridie. ‘Here.’
Bridie took the lead out of his hand. ‘Sorry, George.’
‘Can I come and visit you?’
Bridie smiled at her nephew, deciding not to correct him. She knew he really wanted to visit Barney.
‘Of course you can. Your mum knows where I am. Come any time, George. You can play with Barney in the yard.’
Kate grabbed George’s hand. ‘Come on.’
Bridie said to her back. ‘Kate, if you want me to ask Hannah about a job …’
‘No. Thank you.’
Bridie hadn’t expected otherwise. She watched Kate continue on her way with George casting backward glances at Barney.
Bridie picked up the puppy and waved his paw at George. ‘Kate, if you need to talk, you know where I am.’
Bridie didn’t get a backward glance from her sister. She wasn’t surprised. This was the last predicament her sister expected to find herself in.
Bridie was passing the theatre when she saw Layla outside. She stopped, surprised to find her still on the promenade. ‘I thought you were going to hang out with some friends?’
‘I am.’ Layla suddenly waved.
Bridie turned around and saw a tall, wiry boy waving back. Bridie turned back to Layla, and grinned. ‘Is that Charlie?’
Layla’s face coloured. ‘Yes.’
Bridie whispered, ‘He is cute.’
Layla smiled coyly. ‘I know. Some of my friends are jealous.’
‘I bet.’
Charlie walked up to Layla. ‘Hi,’ he said, smiling and then putting an arm around her shoulder. He gave her a kiss on the cheek, making Layla’s cheeks go rosy-red with embarrassment.
‘So,’ Charlie said, ‘why are we meeting here, outside the theatre?’
‘I wanted you to meet my auntie.’
‘Oh, okay. Hi, Layla’s auntie.’
