Page 7 of The Sunrise Sisterhood

Nilla was Mike’s third wife. Each one younger than the last. The man was a walking cliché.

‘Nothing of the sort.’ There was a sudden flush to Mike’s face, and he took a long sip from his glass before answering. ‘Nilla’s in Copenhagen spending some time with her mother, who hasn’t been too well. That’s why I thought of you. I’m sure you could help Skye to winkle out what she wants to do next with her life.’

Liz gave a snort. ‘I’m not even sure what I want to do with my own life.’

Mike laid a hand on her arm, his fingers cool on her warm skin. She felt a trickle of sweat run down her back. Thank goodness she’d decided against her silky dress, it would have been clinging to her skin by now.

‘Then maybe you’ll be good for each other. And you’ve just admitted that you can’t run the business alone; Skye would fit the bill nicely.’

Liz was nonplussed. ‘So you want me to give her a job as well as some life coaching? But she’s living with you in Exeter, that’s an awful commute in summer, as you well know.’

Mike gave an awkward laugh. ‘I was hoping that as you’ve got goodness knows how many spare rooms in that huge house of yours she could live with you. It would be company for you you’d be doing me a great favour. I’m so busy right now and I can’t give her the attention she needs.’

‘Attention?’ Liz scoffed. ‘She’s not a child, she’s almost thirty. Anyway, it’s just not practical for Skye to live and work with me. Firstly, I’ll be honest, I can’t afford it. There’s not enough profit in the business to pay someone a regular wage.’

‘Hmm.’ Mike chewed the inside of his cheek, frowning. ‘OK. I’ll pay Skye’s wages. But it must be just between you and me. She’s very proud and wouldn’t accept the job if she knew I was funding it.’

‘I thought you said you had cash-flow problems?’ she reminded him.

He waved a hand. ‘I’ll pay her out of my business. Creative accounting. Leave it to me.’

Liz pulled a piece of bread off the slice on her plate, playing for time. He really seemed keen on this. And it would be lovely to reconnect with Skye. It had been years since they’d spent any decent length of time together. But there was one big spanner in the works.

‘Clare and Ivy are coming to stay with me tomorrow, I’m sure I told you that. Clare has been looking forward to it for weeks and I’m not sure how she’ll take it if I spring it on her that Skye will be there too.’

The two half-sisters weren’t close. Inevitably, when Skye had arrived on the scene, five-year-old Clare had resented the new baby who had replaced her in her father’s affections; this had set the tone for their relationship.

‘I hadn’t forgotten at all. This is a perfect opportunity for them to get to know each other properly. Spending time with you, someone who loves them both, on neutral territory, will help them to bond.’ He sat back and folded his arms, pleased with himself. ‘Trust me, Liz. I’m right about this.’

Liz nodded thoughtfully. If Jen had still been alive, the territory would have been far from neutral. But now …? ‘I’m not sure Clare will see it that way.’

‘I’ll give Clare a ring about it, leave that with me,’ Mike assured her. ‘I think you’re underestimating her; Clare will be grateful for another pair of hands with the baby.’

‘Hmm,’ said Liz, mulling it over. Clare was, at her core, a kind and loving woman; maybe without Jen, Clare might find it easier to let her half-sister in without fear of being disloyal to her mum. Perhaps Mike was right, perhaps this could be the making of them. Both women might benefit from having a sister in their lives. ‘It would be nice to see them get on,’ she admitted.

‘It sounds like The Seaside Gourmet Girls might be welcoming in a new generation of the family?’ Mike looked at her hopefully. ‘Come on, Liz, what do you say?’

She bit her lip. Could she throw herself back into the business again?

‘Think of the money,’ he urged. ‘You’d be able to pay me back before I could say solicitor’s letter.’

‘You wouldn’t!’ she gasped. ‘Would you?’

He grinned and then patted her hand. ‘Only joking. I’m sure it won’t come to that.’

Liz wasn’t daft, and she wasn’t fooled by that smile. Mike Marriott had a ruthless streak running through him a mile wide. If he wanted the money back, he’d make sure he got it. It didn’t look like she had much choice.

‘I’ll take Skye on for six weeks,’ Liz found herself saying before she could change her mind. ‘Just until the end of August. I’ll repay the loan I didn’t realise I even had and then I’ll decide whether to close the business or not.’

‘That’s fantastic,’ said Mike. He grabbed her hand and pressed an exuberant kiss to it. ‘You’re doing the right thing.’

‘Let’s hope so,’ she muttered, wondering how on earth she’d just got herself talked into upending her entire summer.

‘Shall I tell Skye the good news, or will you?’ he asked.

‘I will,’ Liz replied firmly. ‘It needs to come from me. Give me a couple of hours to get my head around it and I’ll phone her later.’

She’d have to clear a bedroom for her and conjure up some work if the need for a member of staff was to have any chance of looking genuine. Her first port of call would be Viv. At least she’d be happy to hear The Seaside Gourmet Girls were back in business. Hopefully, she’d help her get some orders on the books.