Page 60 of The Sunrise Sisterhood

Pam laid a hand on Clare’s knee. ‘Let it out, sweet pea. Let it all out.’

‘She died in this hospital after being in a car crash.’

‘Shit,’ murmured Skye. ‘I had no idea. If I’d known, I’d—’

Pam silenced her with a wise smile. ‘You did the best thing for Clare, don’t worry.’

‘Her car was ancient,’ Clare sobbed. ‘If she’d had an airbag, maybe she’d have survived. A lorry hit her on a narrow lane in the dark. The driver said one of her lights wasn’t working and he clipped the front. That was enough to write it off. She had to be cut from the car, but they couldn’t save her. And I didn’t know.’

Pam handed her a tissue and she swiped it roughly at her face.

‘I was out enjoying myself while my mum lay dying. I came to the hospital as soon as I could.’ Clare closed her eyes. She could still hear the sound of her shoes squeaking on the linoleum floor, the smell of disinfectant. People striding down long corridors, everywhere so bright and busy even though it wasn’t even light outside. ‘My godmother, Liz, was here, waiting for me, but Mum had already gone by the time I arrived. I never got to say goodbye. And Ivy never got to say hello.’

‘Oh, Clare.’ Skye’s eyes glistened with tears.

Ivy gazed at hersolemnly and Clare felt a pang of guilt. She had never cried in front of her before. She’d made a point of it, wanting her daughter’s life to be filled with smiles and laughter. But she was so sad, and so tired of being strong.

‘Well,’ said Pam, when Clare’s tears had finally halted. ‘It sounds like that has been waiting to come out for a while.’

‘Will the baby remember this, do you think?’ Clare asked.

Pam opened a drawer in her desk and pulled out a bag of chocolate buttons. ‘Is she allowed one?’

Clare nodded and then smiled as Ivy’s face was immediately wreathed in smiles.

‘Ivy will be fine. But you’ll have to take it easy for the next few weeks and to do that, you are going to need help,’ the nurse told her. ‘Is the little one’s dad around?’

Clare’s chest tightened as she pictured the moment she and Adam had clapped eyes on each other in that kitchen earlier.

‘I’m single,’ she said gruffly.

‘Let me take Ivy.’ Skye leaned forward and plucked Ivy from Pam’s lap, covering her cheek with kisses.

‘That’s a start.’ Pam carefully took hold of Clare’s good hand. ‘Now, who’s going to look after you?’

Clare looked down at her hand in Pam’s and instantly she was transported right back to her childhood. To the days when her hand would be tucked into her mum’s. Never rely on anyone for anything, Clare. That’s the best advice I can give you.

‘That would be me,’ Clare replied determinedly. ‘I can look after myself.’

Chapter Sixteen

Liz

Sixty-two years old and being driven home from a party like a disgraced teenager. Liz could have wept with embarrassment; instead, she let out a groan.

‘Do you feel OK?’ asked Marta, her eyes focused on the road. It had started to rain again, and her car windscreen kept steaming up.

‘Anyone who gets really drunk at work could never say they’re OK.’ Liz attempted a weak smile. ‘But thank you for asking.’

She turned her gaze to the dark green hedgerows, dripping with water. This was going to go down in history as one of the most humiliating days in her life.

Despite the drama caused by The Seaside Gourmet Girls, the party had continued once Skye and Clare had driven off. Everyone had appeared to be in high spirits and as soon as the storm had passed overhead, they had tumbled out into the garden again. Liz had been vaguely aware of Angel talking seriously with her brother, but Marta had sat her down with a cup of strong coffee while Noah and his girlfriend cleaned up the mess in the kitchen.

Two coffees later, Liz had been in the middle of sending Skye a text to ask how Clare was when Marta offered her a lift home. Her head felt like someone had taken an axe to it and her stomach was swirling ominously and she’d accepted gratefully. Now, she clung to the door handle and concentrated on not being sick.

‘Want to talk about it?’ Marta asked.

She shrugged. ‘There’s nothing to say. I often have a drink when I’m cooking. Today, I just had more than one.’