Page 20 of The Sunrise Sisterhood

Clemency House was arranged over a whopping four storeys, set into a sharp slope and sandwiched between two streets. From the front, it was nothing remarkable: a pretty, if modest, residence comprising a ground and first floor. But at the rear, the view of the property was quite different. Terraced gardens, balconies, a Juliet balcony and, finally, tucked under the eaves and taking up the whole of the top floor was the master suite. It was a spectacular home and Liz had had to pinch herself to believe her good fortune on many an occasion.

It was far too big for one, of course, and she lived almost entirely on this floor where the kitchen was, but it was her family home, and full of happy memories. She couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.

She could take out a small mortgage, she supposed, to pay Mike off. But at sixty-two Liz would rather not be in debt to anyone if she could help it.

And besides, there was professional pride at stake. The Seaside Gourmet Girls had been a good little business. Mike’s money had gone towards investing in good-quality equipment, renting a lock-up to store it in and buying a van which Liz still had. They’d never considered that Mike would want to be repaid.

Jen’s theory had been that it was guilt money. She had supported Mike throughout their marriage while he was building his business and not earning a bean. Since the divorce, Mike had gone on to make heaps of money. As far as Jen was concerned, Mike investing in The Seaside Gourmet Girls was his way of making amends.

But Jen had been wrong.

‘Sorry,’ Skye whispered from the doorway, phone in one hand and diary in the other. ‘It’s another enquiry and I can’t answer her questions. Can we do a dinner party for six and can we cater for vegans?’

‘Yes and yes,’ Liz confirmed. ‘There are sample menus on the website.’ She pulled a face, remembering how out of date they were. ‘Actually, ignore them, say that prices start at twenty-five pounds per person.’

Skye repeated the information to the customer and waited, crossing her fingers, while whoever was on the other end of the phone presumably weighed up the cost. This was the bit Liz didn’t like. It was all she could do not to jump in and drop the price. Jen had been great at it. She’d hold her nerve, add in some little detail that would have the customer eating out of her hand and paying a large deposit then and there.

Skye ended the call, looking deflated. ‘I thought that was going to be my first booking, but the woman said she’ll think about it.’

‘You did well,’ said Liz. ‘And if the price puts them off, then so be it; if we can’t make a profit, it’s not worth taking on the job.’

‘A vegan dinner party.’ Skye whistled, as she took a seat next to her. ‘If it wasn’t for cheese, I could go vegan.’

Liz chuckled. ‘If it wasn’t for alcohol, I could go teetotal. Not going to happen, is it?’

They looked at each other and laughed and Liz felt a flush of happiness. This house had been so quiet and joyless for so long. Maybe that was about to change. She hoped so.

A movement down on the narrow street far below caught her eye. She stood and leaned against the glass balcony for a better view. ‘That’s Clare’s car! They’re here!’

Liz waved just as Clare noticed them and waved back and Liz’s heart lifted. Looking at Clare was like looking at a young Jen. The women were so similar: flashy-eyed and fiercely self-sufficient, although motherhood had smoothed off the rough edges from both of them.

‘Let’s run down and help her unload,’ said Liz, heading for the steps.

Skye hung back. ‘Should I wait here, let you say hello by yourself?’

Liz appreciated the gesture but shook her head. ‘Let’s both go. She’ll be dying to introduce you to your niece.’

‘Half-niece,’ Skye said under her breath, sounding unconvinced.

Liz reached the bottom of the steps as her eldest god-daughter climbed out of her car and stretched.

‘Hello, darling!’ Liz wrapped her arms around the young woman who she loved as much as if she’d given birth to her herself. ‘Welcome back! It is so lovely to see you.’

‘You too.’ Clare returned Liz’s hug and they held each other tight for a moment, before Clare peeled away and opened the rear door. ‘I’ve missed you, Liz. I’ve been telling Ivy all about the lovely things we’re going to do, just the three of us. Bored her rigid, as you can see.’

Liz leaned round Clare to see little Ivy sleeping soundly; her heart squeezed. ‘The little angel, she has grown so much.’

Jen would have whipped her granddaughter out of that car seat and cuddled her immediately. Liz’d just have to love Ivy enough for both of them.

Clare grinned proudly. ‘I know. And that’s just since Easter. I have to warn you, she’s very vocal these days.’

Liz laughed. ‘I can’t imagine where she gets that from.’

‘Oi!’ Clare pretended to look insulted as she looped her handbag over her shoulder. ‘Her grandmother, obviously. Although I was looking at a photo of her and—’

She stopped mid-sentence and stared, as Skye came into view, hanging back on the bottom step.

‘Hey, Clare!’ said Skye, giving her half-sister a shy wave.