Page 97 of Good Sisters

Sophie asked if she had time to iron her dress. I stared at her.

‘Okay, that’s a no. I’ll have the quickest shower ever and meet you downstairs in ten minutes.’

‘Fine.’

‘Can you order me a skinny cappuccino?’

‘I’ll order you a cappuccino. They don’t do skinny milk here.’

‘Then I’ll have an Americano with hot milk on the side and a plain yogurt if they have it. If not, maybe just some fruit but only berries and maybe some muesli.’

I couldn’t listen to Sophie’s irritating breakfast order. Ignoring her I left the room as she said, ‘Actually, an egg-white omelette would be good.’

I sat opposite Julie, having my third coffee of the morning.

‘I’m very proud of you, Louise. Mum would be too. This was such a selfless act. You could have told Clara that Marco was dead. But you took the hard road and did the right thing for her. You’re amazing.’

‘Thanks. I just hope it’s not a huge mistake.’

‘Mum would love it here. She loved Italy and this village would be right up her street. “Authentic Italy,” she’d say.’ Julie laughed.

‘That’s what Dad said. Apparently they came to Italy years ago. It’s mad, I never imagined I’d miss Mum as much as I do,’ I admitted.

‘That’s because you got so close to her in the last few years.’

‘True. I’m so glad I had Clara. She was the glue between me and Mum.’

‘I think Clara brought us all closer. I loved working at the Clara Devlin Foundation with Dad and Gavin, and doing fundraisers, with Sophie and Mum pitching in. It was an amazing time.’

I smiled. ‘It was, but we were right to let it be subsumed into Supporting Autism Ireland. All the same, it was hard to let it go.’

‘I know, but you’re right. It was the best thing to do. Itgrew so fast we couldn’t handle it on our own. I have really fond memories of that time. Sophie and Jack getting back together, Dad and Gavin getting along, you and Colin … Do you ever miss him?’

I put my coffee down. ‘In the beginning I did, more than I’d care to admit, but after about six months the hole he left filled with work and Clara. I’m glad we’re still friends, though.’

‘What about Marco? Any sparks when you saw him last night?’

I rolled my eyes. ‘None. He is so completely the opposite of my type.’

‘To be fair, he’s more attractive in the flesh and seems lovely.’

‘We’ll see how lovely he is when I show him the contracts.’

Dad and Sophie walked in, Sophie looking fresh and rosy.

‘How the hell do you look so good?’ Julie asked.

‘Make-up.’

Will you do mine, please?’

‘We don’t have time for that, Julie.’

‘Did you order my breakfast?’ Sophie asked.

‘No, Sophie, it’s not the Hilton. I ordered you coffee and there is bread if you want a quick slice.’

‘I don’t eat carbs,’ she muttered, as she drank her coffee.

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