This is still perplexing me. ‘She’d been quiet for a while before that. Then, when Sophie and I tried to ask her about when we were kids, she lost the plot and rushed off and since then she’s been even more elusive.’ I give a sniff. ‘If this is how she’s going to be, we’ll have to see what the other mermaids’ mums remember about our childhood.’
Plum frowns. ‘We were at the other end of town from you, but I’ll definitely ask. Don’t get your hopes up though because my mum has always been vague on details.’ Plum’s parents still live in the same Victorian house that seemed so cavernous when we were kids. The row of fishermen’s cottages where we lived were like dolls’ houses in comparison.
Clemmie’s holding Bud on her knee. ‘As we were in the same rowmy mum might know more, but she’s on an extended bird-watching tour in Puerto Rico. We can certainly ask when she gets back.’
Plum smiles. ‘So how’s the romance going?’
My heart skips a beat and it’s only when Clemmie jumps in that I realise she’s talking about Mum’s not mine.
‘It’s a wise move for you and Sophie to step back and give them space.’
Plum nods. ‘However much you love your mum you’d be very lucky to love whoever she chooses as her new partner. And the same goes for Rye with David.’
There’s a cough in the doorway. ‘Am I too late to join in with this?’
We turn round to see Rye in faded jeans and a T-shirt, running his fingers through his already perfect hair.
Plum’s practically purring. ‘Rye had a spare half-hour, so he’s come to see some pictures of sculptures on my laptop.’
It’s not lost on us; she could have just as easily taken her laptop to his office, and as he’s here as himself, not a fireman or a hotel manager, this is as close to a date as Plum’s got yet.
Clemmie smiles. ‘We were saying that grown-up kids rarely take to their parents’ new squeezes.’
I grin at him. ‘It’s reassuring to know we’re normal.’
Plum smiles at me. ‘I take it the other romance in the family is all a storm in the St Aidan grapevine teacup?’
Shit!‘You’re absolutely right.’
Clemmie jiggles Bud on her knee. ‘Whatever the word on the street, our Floss is still determined to stay free as a bird.’
Interventions like this are why I wanted her with me. ‘I’m St Aidan’s eternally single albatross, destined to fly but never to land.’ I give Shadow a nudge with my foot. ‘We’ve promised to be soulmates for ever, haven’t we, Shadow?’
Plum sits back in her chair. ‘Talking of which, you know Dillon’s here later this month?’
I knew this was coming, just not this soon. ‘He said he’d be over but not when.’
Plum purses her lips. ‘He wanted it to be a surprise, but with so much going on, I thought I’d better warn you.’
I appreciate that she has, and it’s only fair to explain to Rye. ‘Dillon is Plum’s brother. He and I used to be together.’
He nods slowly and his eyes narrow. ‘I know who Dillon is.’
Plum reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. ‘Don’t play it down, Floss, you two were an institution.’
I look straight at Rye. ‘We’re still good friends.’
Plum’s looking at me searchingly. ‘We all love that you still care enough to chat most days.’
We barely message anymore, but I’d rather not correct her. And however much this is making me wince, I’d rather it was out in the open than hidden.
Clemmie’s eyebrow goes up. ‘As if we mermaids would have it any other way!’
I seize my chance to move this on. ‘You must have heard aboutthe mermaids,Rye?’
He grins. ‘St Aidan local knowledge is my specialist subject. Would you like me to tell you their names?’
We’re all working out how to say we might be okay without the full list when the silence is broken by what sounds like a cross between a tidal wave hitting the shore and an elephant’s trumpet.
