Page 63 of The Half Sister

Jess’s phone rings and she pulls it out of her bag. ‘Excuse me,’ she says, taking a couple of steps away before answering it.

‘Hi,’ she says. There’s a pause as she listens to the caller at the other end. ‘Do you even need to ask?’ she says. ‘You know I’d love to.’

As she turns around, Lauren can see her eyes sparkling and wonders who she’s talking to.

‘Okay,’ she goes on. ‘I’ll meet you there.’

‘You look happy,’ says Lauren when she ends the call. ‘Good news?’

Jess nods enthusiastically.

Lauren smiles. ‘It’s none of my business, but is there a guy on the scene?’

‘There’s someone at work,’ says Jess, coyly. ‘I don’t know what’s going to come of it but...’

‘You really like him,’ says Lauren, finishing the sentence for her.

Jess nods. ‘Yes, but it’s complicated. He’s my boss so there’s a lot that can go wrong.’

‘As long as he looks after you and treats you right, then he gets my vote.’

‘He’s just asked me to meet him in Birmingham.’

‘What, now?’ exclaims Lauren.

Jess nods. ‘It’s a work thing, but it looks like it’s going to be an over-nighter.’

Lauren raises her eyebrows. ‘Will this be the first time you’ve done an over-nighter together?’ She puts the pertinent phrase in speech marks with her fingers.

Jess smiles. ‘Yes!’

Butterflies flutter in Lauren’s stomach on Jess’s behalf as she remembers the intensity of emotions that she once felt for Justin.Stillfeels for Justin, so it seems.

‘I’m so excited for you,’ she can’t help herself from saying.

‘Oh my God, I feel sick. This isn’t how it was meant to be. I’m not prepared. I haven’t got my make-up bag, a change of clothes, or even a toothbrush.’

‘Come on, quick,’ says Lauren, slipping her arm through Jess’s and steering her back down the hill. ‘There’s a couple of shops right opposite the station; if we hurry we can get you a few essentials.’

‘I’m really sorry to leave you here like this,’ says Jess. ‘Will you be all right?’

‘Of course. I’m more worried about getting you what you need.’

They run around the Sainsbury’s Local as if they’re taking part inSupermarket Sweep. Lauren tosses soap, deodorant and toothpaste into Jess’s basket whilstshedeliberates over what hair product will give her naturally straight hair a ‘voluminous lift’.

‘Yes or no,’ asks Lauren, holding up a packet of condoms.

‘Oh my God,’ says Jess, her cheeks colouring. ‘I can’t believe you’re asking.’

‘I’ll take that as a yes,’ says Lauren, throwing them in before Jess has a chance to change her mind. ‘Better to be safe than sorry.’

Lauren feels like she’s stuck in some weird cosmos where two worlds collide. She wants to keep Jess out of harm’s way, like any mother would, but like a best friend, she also wants her to have a good time.Isn’t that in-between state called being a sister?she wonders, the irony not lost on her.

‘You’re as prepared as you’re ever going to be,’ says Lauren, smiling as she hands over the carrier bag laden with toiletries for every eventuality.

‘Thanks a million,’ says Jess, pulling Lauren in for a hug. ‘I owe you one.’

‘Enjoy yourself,’ says Lauren.

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