Page 130 of The Sunrise Sisterhood

Skye’s lips twitched. ‘No one would ever accuse you of being dishonest.’

Except Adam, Clare thought wincing, although in a few hours from now she hoped she’d have smoothed over that bump in the road too.

‘Are we done?’ Mike looked at his watch.

‘No,’ said Liz firmly. ‘You can pay my bill before you go. There’s a supplement for vegans, a hire charge for sun hats and a premium for signing non-disclosure agreements.’

He sighed irritably. ‘I suppose I asked for that.’

‘You and I are done, Dad,’ said Skye in a level voice. ‘I’m done trying to impress you and I’m done with your indifference. I’m going to be staying in Salcombe, you’ll be happy to learn. Not in a high-flying career, but doing something I love; but don’t worry, I’ll be staying out of your way.’

‘Skye,’ Mike began wearily, holding his hands out in a placatory manner. ‘I think—’

‘I’ll stop you there, Dad, because I don’t care what you think.’

‘Are you OK?’ Clare asked Skye as they left the room, leaving Liz to squeeze more money out of Mike.

‘“Let go of what no longer serves you,”’ she said, throwing a glance over her shoulder. ‘Something Marta says in yoga meditation. So I’m letting go of trying to please him. He’s going to have to work very hard to get in my good books.’

‘Mine too. And I’m going to give up trying to get him interested in Ivy too. He doesn’t deserve her.’

As they set off up the stairs to relieve Jesse of babysitting duties, there was a ring at the doorbell.

‘I’ll get it,’ Jesse yelled.

‘It’ll be a shame to see him go,’ Clare teased. ‘Easy on the eye, babysitter, butler … there’s no end to his talents.’

‘Shush,’ Skye whispered. ‘Don’t give him any ideas.’

By the time they’d reached the top of stairs leading to the front door, Jesse, with Ivy on his hip, had opened it to reveal Adam waiting on the other side.

‘Adam!’ Clare exclaimed in panic. ‘Hello!’

He was over an hour early. She hadn’t done her hair or changed her clothes and the mascara she’d applied this morning was probably all over her face after the last emotional hour. She’d so wanted to impress him, rekindle the feelings they’d had that first night. Fat chance of that now.

‘Someone’s keen,’ Skye murmured in her ear before slipping away into the living room.

Clare pushed herself into the gap next to Jesse, careful as always not to hit her arm against the doorway. She smiled at Adam, but he didn’t smile back. Instead, he was struggling to drag his eyes from Jesse and Ivy.

‘I know, sorry, I’m early. But I can see it was a mistake.’ He took a step back from her.

‘It’s fine,’ Clare said, flustered. ‘Come in and wait while I—’

‘You’re Ivy’s father, I take it?’ Adam said to Jesse, talking over her. ‘None of my business. I’ll go. I’ll leave. Sorry to have disturbed you.’

Adrenaline pulsed through her. This was not how it was supposed to be. She couldn’t blurt out the truth, not here, not in front of Jesse. Adam deserved more than that, so much more.

Jesse gave a bark of laughter. ‘Very funny, good joke. I love it.’

‘What’s funny?’ Adam shook his head. ‘Sorry, I don’t get it.’

Jesse grinned and he held Ivy in his outstretched arms, nodding at Adam to take her. ‘Here you are, Ivy, go to Daddy.’

Fear burned like acid in Clare’s stomach, rising through her, burning her throat, stinging her face. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. It felt like one of those dreams where you were screaming and screaming in terror but couldn’t make a sound.

Ivy babbled delightedly at the sight of Adam and divebombed directly at him, forcing him to take her from Jesse.

‘There you go.’ Jesse clapped him on the shoulder and retreated out of sight.