“How’s work going for you?”
Leila waved a hand around. “Same old. I’ve got a new assistant—she’s really good. Makes my life a lot easier. I even got away at 5.45p.m. the other day.”
“Whoa, girl. You’ll be gunning for the leaving-on-time record at this rate.”
“Let’s not get too carried away.”
The chit-chat continued until, with an exclamation, Leila checked the time and stood, gathering purse and phone and stuffing them in her bag. “I have to fly. Don’t be a stranger, okay?” She kissed Allie on both cheeks and fled out the door, the ends of her hijab fluttering behind her.
Allie pushed aside her barely touched salad. She may be an unemployed accountant, but it was still better than being an employed one at Kirkland&Partners. Maybe she’d even forge a new career as an event planner.
* * *
“Your personal food delivery is here.” Allie closed Sophie’s front door, stuck her head into the bedroom to say hi, then continued to the kitchen to set the takeaway containers on the counter. She returned to the bedroom.
Sophie clicked off the TV and straightened herself in bed. “I hope it’s sushi. Please tell me it’s sushi.”
“It’s sushi.” Allie lowered herself to lie on the bed and hug her twin. “And yes, I included seared salmon nigiri.”
“Best sister ever.”
“I’ve definitely earned that title—I also bought your favourite wine.”
“Ohh.” Sophie closed her eyes. “I’ve died and gone to heaven. Well, apart from the whole fucked leg and nerve pain thing.”
“Shall I open the wine?” Allie carefully rose from the bed.
“How about you help me to the living area? Then we can sit at the window and stare out at the yard while we drink our wine, just like normal people.”
“We are normal people. Well, I am.” Allie stuck her tongue out at Sophie.
“Says the person who wears odd socks and dates men. Weirdo.”
“It saves time. Both the men and the socks. I’m never stuck looking for long.”
Sophie laughed. “Except you haven’t dated anyone since Liam, what, four months ago?”
Allie blew air out her mouth. “I’ve been busy. And broke. And the only men I’ve met lately still live at home, and their mothers do their laundry. I don’t match my own socks, let along anyone else’s.” She positioned the wheelchair at the side of the bed and waited while Sophie manoeuvred into it.
Once in the living area, she parked Sophie so she could look out the window and poured two glasses of wine.
“Cheers.” She tapped her glass against Sophie’s.
“This is a treat.” Sophie took a sip. “First wine I’ve had in most of two weeks.”
“The sushi should be good too. I went to the new place on Stanley Street.”
“It’ll be wonderful. Anything that’s not lying in bed watching TV is heaven these days. At least I have visitors.” Sophie stared into her glass. “Bree came this morning.”
“Oh?” Allie set down her glass carefully. “Was that unexpected? The last time you mentioned her, ‘fucking bitch’ was in the same sentence.”
“She heard about the accident. She came to see if I needed anything. We had a pleasant chat. She loaned me her e-reader and went out to get milk.”
A five-alarm warning went off in Allie’s head. “Are we talking about the same Bree? Bree, your ex who cheated on you, then moved out while you were at work and sent you a text to let you know?”
“We are.” Sophie’s lips curved up. “But the Bree who came around this morning was the kind, friendly Bree from the old days, before the corporate ladder pulled her up and she had no time for me anymore. Before she cheated with her boss.”
Allie compressed her lips. Hopefully, the ‘nice chat’ with Bree had included an apology.
