Page 123 of The Sunrise Sisterhood

‘I meant what I said,’ Skye replied. ‘Now, a question for you, Dad. How old am I?’

Mike looked at Liz for help. ‘Er …’

Liz shook her head in dismay; he was on his own in this.

‘And Clare? When’s Ivy’s birthday? Hmm? Thought as much.’ Skye set a plate in front of him with a thump.

He brushed off the moment with a laugh. ‘A bit of memory lapse, chaps. Must up my cod liver oil tablets.’ But the colour had drained from his face, and he was suddenly very intent on attacking his lobster with the crackers.

‘Ew.’ Harriet winced, an asparagus spear hovering by her lips as she watched him ripping into the lobster.

A man in a straw boater leaned forward. ‘Gay. How interesting. Can I ask you where you go to buy intimate items?’

‘I beg your pardon!’ exclaimed Liz. She looked at Mike for him to intervene, but he was too busy slurping the juice out of a lobster claw. ‘You don’t need to answer that, Skye.’

Skye blinked at him uncertainly. ‘Like underwear?’

‘Well, underwear and more intimate items for the bedroom.’

Liz inhaled sharply as Skye picked up a water glass and threw the contents over him. ‘Pervert.’

Harriet gasped and Mike made a gargling noise as if someone had winded him.

Liz ushered Skye back inside as everyone else started talking at once.

‘I shouldn’t have done that.’ Skye was shaking.

‘He’ll dry,’ said Liz.

Mike was on his feet, saying something to pacify the group. Someone laughed and the others joined in. Whatever he’d said seemed to have worked.

‘I can’t believe I just said that out loud,’ Skye groaned, covering her face with her hands. ‘About having a new relationship.’

‘Is it true?’ Liz asked, still with her arm tightly around her god-daughter.

She nodded miserably. ‘And bang goes my chance of ever making my dad proud.’

‘Forget your dad for a minute,’ Liz chided, kissing her cheek. ‘You’ve just done an exceptionally brave thing and I’m proud of you.’

‘Really?’ She looked sceptical.

Liz nodded. ‘Would this be Marta you’re talking about?’

Skye smiled bashfully. ‘I think I’ve known I had feelings for her beyond friendship since I met her. But today … today confirmed it.’

‘And she feels the same?’

‘She didn’t come out and say it, but I think so. But then Jesse turned up and caught me with her. I had to run off in the middle of our breakfast. Once Jesse has gone, I’ll call her. So we can talk properly.’

‘I’m really happy for you.’

Skye heaved a sigh of relief. ‘That means a lot to me, thank you.’

‘Are you going to tell Frankie?’ Liz asked.

‘Eventually.’ Skye pulled a face. ‘But not yet. Knowing her, she’ll plaster it on social media, start going to Pride marches and make it all about her and how accepting she is. I need to get used to this myself first.’

Liz smiled to herself; that was exactly what Frankie would do.