Page 10 of One Golden Summer
Saffron shot her sister, who loved to ruffle feathers, a silent plea for Ginger to strike a normal chord.
Ginger moved her head to the left so Kirsty couldn’t witness Ginger sticking her tongue out at Saffron the curmudgeon and then launched into her news. “Kirsty is trying to convince me to throw a divorce party. She owns a wine shop, but is branching out into party planning. Isn’t that grand?”
“A what party?” Saffron had trouble speaking, given she never considered Ginger would want something like that.
“Divorce party.”
Saffron swallowed. “I thought you said everything had been as amicable as possible between you and Dave.”
“It has been, aside from him saying he didn’t see us together in our golden years, and he wanted to be free to find the right one. That still stings.” Ginger patted her heart.
“I’m sure it does, but remember, the party isn’t about him.” Kirsty met Ginger’s eyes, flashing her a confident smile. “The party is about you proclaiming no matter what, you’ll be fine and it gives you the opportunity to embrace your independence with open arms.”
“I like the sound of that. Not an end, but a rebirth.” Saffron turned to her sister. “I think it’s a great idea.”
“You don’t think it’s petty?” Ginger craned her neck, taking note of Saffron’s drink. “You hate whipped cream.” Her crinkled nose relaxed, and she grinned. “Did you panic again?”
Saffron shoved the drink over to her sister. “You know me so well.”
“It’s amazing how simple things trip you up.”
“I’m not used to getting my own drinks.” Saffron shrugged, knowing how bad that sounded. “Now, about this party. I want to pay for it.”
“I can’t let—”
“Don’t argue.” Saffron shook a finger in the air. “The guilt of missing your wedding has been eating away at me. No TV show is worth more than you.”
“Turns out you made the wisest decision, because the marriage didn’t stick, but your career hasn’t let up.” Ginger slapped her hands together, her right one zooming off into space to demonstrate.
Saffron placed a hand on her sister’s. “Let me help by paying for the party. No expense spared. Please. It’ll mean the world to me.”
“I don’t know, Saff. I’m not the type to make a big to-do out of things.” Ginger tugged on her earlobe, dropping her eyes to avoid Saffron’s pleading expression.
“Let’s turn over a new leaf together.” She lowered her head to gaze into Ginger’s eyes. “Don’t say no.”
“Fine, but I don’t want anything super posh. I mean it.”
“You can have whatever you want.”
Ginger finally took a sip of the drink. “It tastes like cinnamon ice cream goodness. Yum.” She turned to Kirsty. “You should get one.”
“Where are my manners?” Saffron rose. “Would you like one, Kristy? You two did order, right? It’s taking ages.”
The brunette’s face crumpled. “It’s Kirsty.”
“Oh, right, soz.” Now why had Saffron slipped into flippant millennial speak for sorry when she only did that over text? As if getting the woman’s name wrong didn’t matter at all, when in truth, unease strangled Saffron’s vocal cords.
Kirsty bristled even more. “I’m fine with a simple coffee.”
“You need one of these. Usually, I’m like you and prefer something plainer, but this is like drinking dessert.” Ginger smacked her lips.
Kirsty gazed longingly at the drink, finally nodding in agreement.
Pleased to see the brilliant smile back in place, Saffron headed for the counter. While changing the orders, she glimpsed out of the corner of her eye, Kirsty rising with a phone to her ear, meandering to the other side of the store, her fingers running over the top of some magazines.
After paying, Saffron returned to her seat and nudged her sister’s foot with her own under the table. “How are you doing, really?”
“Remarkably well despite a few wobbles here and there.” Ginger stretched her arms overhead. “Coming here was the best decision I’ve made. This place is freeing. The hustle and bustle of London made me feel trapped, and I constantly bumped into friends who knew us as a couple or kept wandering by the places we spent time together.”
