Page 66 of Best Mistake Ever
‘Yeah,’ is all Jem says.
There’s a strange tension in the air now, but I can’t quite put my finger on why.
‘What’s going on with you two?’ I ask, looking between them both.
‘Nothing,’ Jem says, getting up from his chair. ‘I’m going to head home. I have things to arrange,’ he says, squeezing my shoulder as he passes me and walks past Dee, who’s hovering by the door.
Neither of them say another word to the other.
As soon as he’s gone and we hear the sound of the door clicking back into place, Dee gives me a tight smile.
‘Okay. I’m going to go and see Jonah and sort this mess out.’
For a second, I wonder whether I’ve heard her correctly.
‘What?’
‘I’m going over there now to explain the whole thing to him and tell him he’s an idiot to walk away from you.’ She swivels on the spot and starts to walk towards the door.
After a stunned second, I hurry after her.
‘Wait, Dee. Don’t go. He’s not going to change his mind.’
‘You don’t know that. And anyway, it’s me he’s really angry with. If I deflect his annoyance from you towards me, maybe he’ll have the good grace to see what’s really at stake here and come to his senses. I suspect he already knows he’s made a mistake, because he’s not stupid. He’s hurt and he’s put up a protective wall around himself and he just needs someone to make a chink in it and let in the light – point out the obvious. That he’d be crazy to give you up.’
‘But—’
‘I’m going to look after you for a change. You’ve been such a good sister to me and I’ve taken advantage of that too many times. You give so much to other people, especially your family, and it’s not fair that you don’t get to have what you deserve. It’s time you started putting yourself first and you should tell Dad tosod off if he doesn’t agree with the way you want to live your life. He’s too bloody controlling, always has been. Let’s be real here: we’re never going to live up to his expectations so why even try? That way madness lies. Jem will be totally fine too. You should doyoufor once.’ She puts her hands on my shoulders and looks me directly in the eye. ‘You’re not my mother and I don’t need you to be – not that I don’t appreciate everything you’ve done for me – but it’s time I sorted my own life out now. And I’m going to help you sort yours in any way I can.’
‘What are you?—?’
‘Wait here. I’m going to fix this,’ she says. And before I can say another word, she’s out of the door and getting into her car, then pulling quickly away from the kerb with a screech of tyres.
I stare after her, my mouth hanging open, wondering what the hell’s got into my sister.
18
JONAH
I’m in my office, totally failing to look at anything work related, or to pick up the phone to my dad and tell him I’ve decided to quit the hospitality business, when I hear the sound of a car driving fast up the driveway, then coming to a screeching halt in the car park.
Going to the window, I look out to see Bea’s car has just pulled into a parking space at an untidy angle.
So maybe it’s not Bea.
Maybe it’s Dee?
My stomach flips at the thought of seeing either of them right now, but especially Bea. I’d told myself not to think about her any more – not that I seemed to be able to remotely manage that because everything I look at here reminds me of her – and the last thing I need is her, or her evil twin, turning up and wrecking my head again.
The car door swings open and a woman with a blonde bob gets out.
It could still be either of them.
Until she starts to walk towards the staff entrance to the hotel and I know in an instant which sister it is.
Dee.
As I watch her stride purposefully closer to me, I find myself amused by the realisation that I can tell the two of them apart instantly, despite them being identical.
