Another quick search found an email from the equipment hire place, detailing the different sizes of stage they had and asking Sophie to confirm which she wanted. Had Sophie confirmed it? Allie went cold, and her fingers shook on the keyboard. She looked at the date of the email and the reason why Sophie hadn’t replied jumped out at her. It was the day after Sophie’s accident.
Allie blew a shaky breath, and a chill ran through her. She should have double checked—she’d read through Sophie’s emails, after all. What if now there wasn’t one available? Maybe though, Sophie, had followed up.
She picked up her mobile. She’d have to call Sophie and hope she wouldn’t think it was all going to hell in a handbasket. She pressed her number.
“Hey, big sis. How’s life in New South Wales’s gayest wedding town?”
“Gay. Friendly. Good food.”
“That’s good. The food part is especially important.”
“How are you doing?” Allie drew her knees up and curled into the back of the couch.
“Okay. I’ve got new pain meds, and they actually do dull the pain. And the rehab is finally starting to do something. I have more mobility in my foot now.”
A happy warmth spread through Allie’s chest. “That’s great news. Do you still have Silent Kev as your nurse?”
“Just in the evenings.”
“So who’s there in the day?” Allie frowned. “Surely the insurance company should have arranged someone?”
“They have. I’m now driven to a rehab place three days a week, and I spend the day there. It’s more intensive, plus great care, and I get to talk to other people like me.”
“You mean blue-haired, queer, sarcastic old cows?”
Sophie laughed. “I actually meant people in rehab with similar injuries. It’s been good—I can now see a way out of this. A way to get my life back.”
“That’s fantastic.” Guilt churned in Allie’s stomach. “I wish I was there with you, taking you to this magical place, doing more to help you.”
“You’re the best, Allie. No one else could do what you’re doing for me right now in Quandong. You’ll be back soon enough. We can catch up then.”
“Yeah.” A pang of longing knifed her gut. Oh to be sitting in Sophie’s yard with a glass of wine, and the comfort of talking to her twin and best friend.
“Soon, Allie. It won’t be long. I miss you too.”
She always knew. A wave of love swamped Allie so hard she couldn’t breathe.
“What about the other days?” Allie tucked her feet under the cushion. “Who’s with you then?”
There was a slight hesitation on the line, then Sophie said, “Bree’s been working from my place a couple of days a week. She’s been looking out for me.”
“Bree? Bree the bi—”
“Don’t say it. We’ve been talking. She was having a hard time when we split up. It doesn’t excuse her—and Bree knows that—but, well, we’re becoming friends again. And she’s being very good to me.”
Allie sucked her upper lip. There was an uplift at the end of Sophie’s words, as if hope was being reborn. Bree had broken her heart. Now, it seemed she thought Bree would mend it again.
“And don’t tell me to be careful,” Sophie said. “Please, Allie. I know what you’re thinking. But this time… Maybe… I can’t help being a bit hopeful. After all, she’s spending time with me now when I’m at my lowest.”
Allie expelled her breath in a long sigh. “I won’t say anything. Please…send her my best.”
“I will. Thanks, Allie.” A pause. “Now, did you call for a chat or do you need an event-planning consultation?”
“The latter. I wish I didn’t have to dump this on you, but I have a couple of problems.” Swiftly, she outlined the lack of portaloos and the reason, and the stage issue.
“I fucked up Tarryn’s email address, didn’t I?” Sophie said. “But I think we can fix this. I’ll call the original companies for both the stage and the portaloos and see if they can help at short notice. If they can’t, well there are a couple of others I can try, but it will mean arranging delivery from further away. I’ll have to wear the extra costs. Cross your fingers for me.”
“Do you want me to call them?”
