“Yeah. Daisy.”
“So admirable,” she murmured. “Honestly, I’ve been close to selling these two on eBay.”
As if. Mimi never thought she’d have children, and she’s an amazing mum, no matter what she says.
“How are you finding that?” she asked carefully. “You’re always so good with Gus, Belle, and Milo,” she was quick to add. “I’m sure you’ve taken it all in your stride.”
“Daisy is lovely.” What else was there to say? That I could tell she’d suffered trauma, that I recognize it in her? That she’s sweet and lovely, and I just want to hug her so hard and promise she’ll be okay? All true. Every word of it—I make sure of it because I feel like I can now. Like it is my place—like I’m here to stay.
“Congratulations, by the way. I just wanted you to know I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks, Mimi. That means a lot. What about Whit? What’s he had to say?”
“Oh, you know how Whit is.”
Which probably meant she had to pull rank and stop him from flying back to insist I sort my shit out once he heard about the wedding.
“He just wants you to be happy. He just worries, you know.”
Yeah. I know a thing or two about worrying.
“I, for one, can’t wait to meet the man who’s caught my sister-in-law’s very astute eye.I’m just sorry we have to bring the kids this time, but they’re desperate to see their aunt Lally.”
“I’ve missed the little snot machines.”
“Invite us for dinner sometime soon, though? I’m kinda jonesing for adult conversation. I’d even go for a wine hangover.”
“Rebel.”
“Oh, Lavender,” she answered on a sigh, “you know I was born to be mild.”
I didn’t doubt the kids wanted to see me, and Mimi couldn’t wait to meet Raif, but I also knew her presence would offer a lighthearted buffer between her husband and mine, should there be the need.
“Lavender?” Whit’s glasschinksagainst the table’s Calacatta marble top, and I snap back to the kitchen nook and the present moment.
“Sorry. I was miles away. A sabbatical, you said? That must be why things have been a bit quiet.”
“Funny,” he mutters.
“Isn’t sabbatical just another word for a holiday? The photos Polly loaded to the family WhatsApp sight certainly made it look that way, lounging on sunny beaches and wearing silly hats in theme parks.”
“I’ve also been working. Calling into the bank’s international offices and stuff.”
“And the checking the gallery’s accounting system,” I quickly add, “so don’t pretend you’re surprised to find we’re doing well. Every time you log in, I get a notification. And you have logged in. Plenty.”
My brother has the good grace to look embarrassed, though chooses not to address that as he mutters, “A sabbatical is not a holiday.”
“Potato, potahto.”
“They’re both the same thing,” he says, fighting a smile.
“So.” Shoving my tablet pen in my bun, I reach for my glass and lean back, mirroring his posture. “The purpose of this visit is… what?”
Whit’s eyes flick down. “Why are you drinking water?”
“I know, terrible, right? Especially when you consider what fish do in it.”
“Lavender,” he warns.
