Page 67 of A Wedding in Tuscany

‘Yes, but when I got in touch with Nikole about my idea?you remember my friend, the jewellery designer …?’ She nods. ‘Well, she thought it was brilliant?she loves pearls, says they’re classic and beautiful. And you are classic and beautiful …’

‘Aww, thank you.’

‘You are. A bit of an idiot sometimes …’

‘Hey!’

‘I’m just repeating what you said.’

‘I really am sorry I made you feel bad.’

‘It’s all right. I just …’

‘No, I …’ Her words trail off and we exchange a look that says everything words can’t. Sisters?bound together by far deeper and longer lasting bonds than a misconception or misunderstanding can taint.

‘Oh!’ she says abruptly. ‘I just had a thought.’

‘Clearly.’

She ignores my sarcasm. ‘The pearls?they can be your something borrowed. They’d be perfect with your new dress and they’re mine now, so technically I can lend them to you.’

‘I love it. Thank you.’ She smiles. ‘One last thing, though.’

‘Mmm?’

‘Even when you are Mum’s age, you’ll be a youthful sixty-something because you’re you. I mean, look at Helen Mirren?she’s in her mid-seventies and she’s brilliant and bolshie and sexy as hell. You’ll be just like her.’

‘I don’t know about th?’

‘Sarah, I’m serious. A string of pearls shouldn’t make you lose sight of yourself, your real self. The Adventure Chick, Sarah. The one with the gorgeous boyfriend who jets about the world and climbs mountains and … and whatever else you do.’

‘I haven’t exactly climbed a mount?’

‘Doesn’t matter,’ I say, cutting her off again. ‘You know what I mean. Just remember that no gift, no matter how you perceive it, should make you feel lesser than you are. All right?’

Sarah is quiet for a moment, finally uttering, ‘Okay.’

‘“Okay” is not good enough. Promise me.’

‘I’ll try.’

‘There is no try. Only do.’ She grins at me.

‘Do the voice.’

‘I’m not doing the voice.’

‘Please.’

‘Nope.’

‘Come on.’

‘There is no try. Only do,’ I say in my (godawful) Yoda voice.

‘Bahahaha.’ Sarah is properly laughing now and I join in.

‘What are you two talking about over there?’ Mum calls out.

‘Penises,’ says Sarah, not missing a beat. Mum purses her lips?she’s not impressed. ‘Sorry, Mum, have you had your fill of penises today as well?’

At that, we all start laughing?me, Jae, Lou, Lindsey, even Mum. I hope when Sarah thinks back on her fortieth in years to come that this will be one of the memories that comes to mind.

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