I pull a face. ‘Her date is tonight, but every time I’ve texted her to check she’s okay she rings back then cuts me short.’ I’ve thought about this a lot. ‘Mum choosing to go out with the most controversial man in St Aidan has forced us onto the outside. This all came from her and I feel excluded.’
Sophie sighs. ‘She’s always more open with you than me, but if she’s shuttingyouout, it’s worrying.’
I’m nodding in agreement as I hand round the loaded cups. ‘I’m just glad we’ve got each other for this.’ I can’t remember ever feelingtrulygrateful for having Sophie before, but I do now. ‘In the meantime, see which ice cream goes best with the apple crumble – vanilla, or toffee?’
Plum is peering into the next batch of cups as she dips in her spoon. ‘You’re getting adventurous! What else have you brought?’
I smile because I’ve had such fun doing these. ‘Swiss roll, pink custard and rainbow sprinkles, an orange Eton mess with raspberries and mandarins, rainbow macaron pieces with vanilla ice and squirty cream, and a treacle tart special.’
Plum pops a cube of tart into her mouth, and nods as she chews it. ‘Where did you buy that? The pastry is amazing.’
I try not to smile too much at the compliment. ‘It’s one I made earlier.’ I laugh. ‘It makes more sense to bake for myself rather than buying things in. I’m actually enjoying it too.’ It’s a huge surprise to me to find myself pouring over recipe blogs, and even more of a shock that I’m producing anything edible.
Clemmie’s grinning at me. ‘You’re certainly raising your game here!’
‘It’s all down to David Byron. I was so angry at the way he stole the crowd at our event, but I’m not grumbling about the result.’
‘Good for you!’ Sophie gives a cough and looks at Plum. ‘And while we’re talking about David, have there been any developments with Rye?’
Since her bikini we’ve stopped pretending we hadn’t noticed how much she likes him.
Plum pulls on her ponytail. ‘There are plenty of sparks but that’s it – I’d get more attention if I were a kitten trapped in a tree.’ She lets out a sigh. ‘Tell me something to take my mind off it.’
My other news is why I’m pushing ahead with so much enthusiasm. ‘I had an enquiry from a hen party group, I got back to them with ideas and they’ve booked for five weeks’ time!’
Clemmie and Plum both shout ‘yay’ and give me high fives, but Sophie’s face falls. ‘I suppose Milla will be helping you with that?’
I’m treading very carefully here. ‘I told her I’d need to chat to you before I decided.’
‘Thank you for that.’ Sophie closes her eyes for a second. ‘She still wants to cut her hair like yours.’
I smile as I think of how different the dark-haired Milla is. ‘She was forceful as a blonde, but as a brunette she’s something else.’
Sophie sighs. ‘Don’t I know it! As far as Milla’s concerned, the sun shines out of your bum.’
Clemmie laughs. ‘I can think of worse role models.’
Sophie shakes her head. ‘It’s so infuriating because all she does with me is criticise.’
Since I’ve seen more of Milla and her friends, I’m all over the adolescent problem articles. ‘To become independent, they have to separate themselves from their family, and with a daughter, the mum takes the brunt.’
Sophie’s mouth puckers. ‘I’d seen it with other kids, but somehow I assumed Milla would be different. With it just being the two of us when she was small, we’ve always been like best friends.’ She puts down her spoon and slumps back in her chair. ‘I’m just so sad that I’ve lost her.’ She gives a loud sniff and rubs her eye with her knuckle.
‘Sophie! Are you crying?’ There’s no need for her to reply, the shining tracks on her cheeks are enough of an answer.
I can’t remember when I last saw her in tears – probably when I coloured in her favourite Barbie’s eyes with indelible Sharpie when she was ten. She’s always been so tough and busy striving, it’s a shock to see her breaking. But there’s something so vulnerable about her that before I realise it I’m on my feet and my arms are wrapped around her.
Sophie gives a sob. ‘I’ve worked so hard to be successful, but Milla’s what has always made me proudest. Her turning against me makes me feel a complete failure.’
I’m patting her on the back like a child. ‘It shows what a strong character she is. It’s a sign she’s taking after you.’
She sniffs again. ‘That could be it.’ She dabs her eyes with the tissue Plum hands her, and then scrutinises it. ‘Mascara that’s a hundred per cent tear-proof. At least I gotthatright.’
As I go back to my seat Plum pushes the ice cream towards her. ‘Try the vanilla with macaron, that’ll cheer you up too.’
Sophie gives a final sniff as she loads ice cream on top of the pastel-coloured biscuit fragments and swirls a mega helping of squirty cream on top. ‘It’s strangely satisfying having pudding out of cups.’
Clemmie nods. ‘It’s a small helping with a big volume, but you can still eat three or four!’
