Page 3 of The Sunrise Sisterhood

Liz felt her eyes begin to burn.

‘I’m well,’ she said, nodding as much to convince herself as Viv. ‘Getting there, you know.’

‘Excellent news!’ the other woman beamed at her. ‘I can’t tell you how many clients are desperate for your services. Just say the word and I’ll get those bookings flowing again.’

‘I don’t think so,’ Liz stammered. ‘But thank you.’

She wished Viv would go away and leave her in peace. She felt bad enough as it was about her lack of motivation without Viv flaunting her energy and drive in front of her.

Viv studied her for a moment as if she was about to pass comment, but her phone buzzed inside her bag, distracting her. ‘Listen, I’d better dash. I’m meeting a new client. But let’s catch up soon, yes? I’ll be in touch.’

‘Sure.’ Liz sank back onto her chair, already planning to fob her off when she called.

As soon as Viv was out of sight, a waiter appeared. Liz did a double take; it was none other than Viv’s handsome son, Noah.

‘Hey, Liz, sorry about the delay coming to take your order,’ he said with a grin. ‘I wanted to make sure the coast was clear, if you know what I mean. What can I get you to drink?’

‘A glass of sparkling water please.’ She smiled at him. ‘I take it you’re referring to your mum?’

She’d known Noah since he was a little boy obsessed with dangling his crabbing line over the quay with bacon as bait. Now he was all grown up, with beach-tangled hair and a suntanned face.

He laughed. ‘Got it in one. She takes every opportunity to comment on me waiting tables, when I could be suited and booted and earning more money working for her.’

‘And you’re not interested?’ She could see why Viv would want him; he’d be a great asset.

Noah wrinkled his nose. ‘I’m proud of what she’s done, but I want to go my own way, start my own business one day. Like she did, and you.’

Liz looked down at her hands; she hadn’t done it on her own though, unlike Viv.

‘Haven’t seen you in here in for a while,’ Noah continued. ‘Special occasion?’

‘Sort of.’ She glanced away before meeting his eye again, buying herself a moment to take control of her voice. ‘It would have been my friend Jen’s birthday today.’

The second birthday since her death. Time had both flown and dragged, if that was possible. Liz had read the books, listened to the podcasts, heard the platitudes; she knew time was supposedly a great healer. But the pain of losing Jen seemed as sharp now as it had on the day she’d died.

Noah’s face fell. ‘Ah, I’m sorry, I didn’t know. I’ll go and get you that water.’

‘Actually,’ Liz blurted out with a sudden change of heart. ‘Make it a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc instead.’

He smiled with sympathy while he tapped her order into a handheld device. ‘Sounds like it’s a glass-of-wine kinda day.’

‘Definitely,’ she agreed.

Liz had started the morning with a brief phone call to Clare, Jen’s daughter, who, as usual, was racing to get the baby fed and dressed and out of the door for work and nursery. They’d only spoken for a minute or so, but it was long enough for Liz to let her know she was thinking about her on what she knew would be a tough day, and for her to connect with someone who had loved Jen too.

Her plan had been to catch the ferry and walk to the Gara Rock hotel, Jen’s favourite place, to toast her best friend with a glass of champagne. But Jen’s ex-husband, Mike, had phoned this morning and invited her for an impromptu lunch. It had been so thoughtful of him and she’d accepted without hesitation.

‘Hey, did Mum tell you she’s dating again?’ Noah said, collecting the wine list from the table.

Liz raised her eyebrows in surprise. Viv must only have been divorced a matter of months after kicking her husband out for cheating on her last year.

‘Good for her. Anyone special?’ The sun was getting stronger, and she shaded her eyes as she looked up at Noah.

He grinned. ‘She’s got a few on the go. I don’t think she’s too fussed about getting tied down again. She’s got a better social life than me, these days. Now I’m working full time here, I hardly get to see my girlfriend.’

‘Who’s the lucky girl?’

‘Jade. Manager of the coffee shop the other end of Fore Street?’