Beryl frowned. “And live where? I couldn’t afford it.”
“Live here. With me. I know this isn’t the biggest place, but we could manage.”
“You’d be sick of me in a week.”
Joyce frowned at her sister. “I would not, and you know it. We’ve been apart for years and all I’ve done is miss you. Now that you’re here, I don’t want you to leave.”
Beryl sat up. “You mean that?”
“Of course I do. I wouldn’t say it otherwise.”
“What would I do with all of my things?”
“Have a big boot sale. What of it do you really need? Anything truly sentimental, pack up and ship over here using the money you raise in the sale.”
“I suppose I could. I could donate some to the church’s rummage sale, too. They’re always looking to raise money for something or other. At the moment, it’s the roof.” She went quiet for a few seconds, like she was considering all there was to be done. “What would your boss think?”
“I don’t think he’d care one bit. In fact, I think, with the right persuading, he might want to bring you on as a nanny for Ruthie. Even if it was just a couple days a week. It would be a great help, I know that. There’s more work now with Kyle and Ruthie in the house. More cooking to do, definitely more cleaning, and a lot more laundry.”
“You’re younger than me, Joycie. I don’t know if I could do all that.”
“I’m not saying you’d have to do all of that. But, if you could look after Ruthie, maybe help me with some light cleaning and laundry, hers especially, that would be wonderful.”
“Have you talked to Mitch about this?”
“No. There wasn’t any point until I knew it was something that interested you. But I will. If you think you could do it.”
“She is a sweet child.” Beryl smiled and sipped her tea. “Do you really think Mitch would agree? He already pays you.”
“He does. But this wouldn’t be costing him that much more. Not with you sharing this house with me.”
“Oh, Joyce, I don’t know if I can bear to think about it. I love the idea, but what if he says no? My heart would be broken. I can’t.”
“Don’t be so dramatic.”
“I’m serious. I don’t want to dream about something and then have it not happen.”
“I’ll talk to him about it tomorrow.”
Beryl inhaled. “I won’t be able to sleep.”
Joyce chuckled. “You always were the theatrical one. What do you want for tea? We’ve been picking all day, nibbling and tasting. I was thinking about something simple like beans on toast.”
“Might be all right. I can help.”
Joyce slanted her eyes at her sister. “I don’t need help making toast and heating up a tin of beans. Just sit there and rest your old bones.”
“They’re notthatold.”
Joyce got up, waiting until she was facing the kitchen to roll her eyes. She got out the bread and a tin of beans.
“Do you think we’ll get famous?”
“From what?” Joyce asked. “Being on Lucas’s show? Hardly.”
“Might happen.” Beryl got up and went over to a small, decorative mirror on the wall near the telly. “I never had my hair and makeup done like that before. I look all right.”
“You had it done for Neville’s wedding.”
