Page 43 of The Sunshine Sisters: Aurora

‘Can I get you a green tea while you work?’

‘No, thanks. Just had one.’ He flicked an amused look at Skye. ‘Also, I’d be worried I might end up wearing it.’

He disappeared into the kitchen.

I grinned at Skye, who – after her flight-or-fight trauma – was sagging back against the wall, seemingly speechless for once in her life. ‘Honestly, not everyone is out to get you, you know.’

She pursed her lips. ‘Thatmanwas making fun of me. And I’ve never in my life heard of alabourerdrinkinggreen tea. Who thehelldoes he think he is?’

Chin in the air, she paused by the mirror to examine her reflection, then she stalked into the spare room.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

I’d been keeping Blossom up to date with the goings-on in the flat, with Skye here, and feeling terrible that my older sister was refusing point blank to see anyone else but me.

I knew it made Blossom sad that she and Skye didn’t have the closeness that I had with her – but as I kept on reminding her, Skye had been like a second mum to me when I was younger, so the continued closeness was only natural. We didn’t always like each other, Skye and I, but I hoped we’d never lose the bond that had developed between us – until I was seven and everything changed...

Finally, though, after some persuasion, I got Skye to agree to inviting Blossom over for dinner.

I wanted Ada there as well but Skye put her foot down very firmly on that score and I knew she wouldn’t budge. Skye and Ada had always clashed. I’d hoped the passage of time would bring them closer. But as the years went by, Skye’s apparent bitterness and Ada’s subsequent frostiness only seemed to be getting worse, not better.

But at least Blossom was allowed to come over – and when she arrived, my younger sister was full of delight at seeing Skye again, although I could tell she was also a little anxious at how the evening would pan out.

Skye currently had a bee in her bonnet about Blossom being out of work. I’d explained that she’d just finished working on a big project down in Devon and was now back in Surrey and in the process of setting up her own gardening company. But of course that hadn’t impressed my elder sister at all. She was convinced it was all pie in the sky.

‘Where is she getting the funding from to set up a business?’ she’d demanded. ‘It costs money to do that, you know.’

‘She’s applied for a grant and Ada’s helping her.’

‘Ah! Of course she is. So Ada’s bankrolling her, which means Blossom will never get a chance to learn how to stand on her own two feet.’

I’d sighed. In a way, Skye was right. But couldn’t she give Blossom the benefit of the doubt? This gardening business idea was a risk but it could turn out to be really successful. It drove me mad that Skye could never just relax andsupporther little sister’s endeavours. Instead of always having to express her doubts.

I’d always suspected that jealousy lay at the root of Skye’s behaviour towards Blossom. She was always nit-picking and testing her youngest sister – in a way she never did with me – and finding her wanting in terms of drive and motivation and common sense. Long ago, I’d accepted that Ada had a special fondness for Blossom, her youngest, but it seemed that Skye never had – and of course it didn’t help that Ada and Skye were actually quite alike in many ways. They were both highly intelligent, strong and determined, refusing to let anyone sway them from a path they believed was right for them.

The meal started off quite well.

Blossom was really animated, telling us all about her plans for the gardening business, and I found myself getting excited for her. Even Skye seemed to be nodding her approval, although she seemed to think the fact Blossom hadn’t come up with a name yet for the business was a worry.

‘You need abrand,’ she said. ‘And the name you decide on will be crucial to the success of that brand. Surely you’ve had some thoughts by now?’

Blossom, looking a little red and flustered, threw out a few suggestions, but each one was instantly rejected by her sister.

‘Actually, I quite likeRootsas a name,’ I said, glaring at Skye.

‘Too common,’ was the verdict with a brisk shake of the head. ‘There must be loads of gardening companies with that name. No, you need something original.’

‘Such as?’ queried Blossom cheerfully. I could tell she was getting upset by Skye’s intensive questioning, although she was trying hard not to show it.

Skye shrugged, exasperated. ‘Well,Idon’t know. It’s notmybusiness. You need to get your thinking cap on, Blossom, and come up with an original idea. All by yourself.’

Her unspoken accusation hung in the air:Instead of expecting others, especially Ada, to do the work for you.

My heart sank, looking at Blossom’s crestfallen expression. Her chin wobbled a little as she turned away and stacked some empty plates together. I could see her thinking she would never be good enough in her sister’s eyes, and I wanted to shout at Skye to please just shut up and be nice.

But instead, I just said, ‘I expect you’ll come up with a brilliant name when you put your mind to it, love. Now, anyone for pudding? I’ve made a chocolate cheesecake. Skye, can you come and help me serve it up?’

Skye had been drinking the wine at a steady rate – consuming at least twice as much as Blossom and me – and she stumbled a little as she got up from the table to follow me. I sighed, a feeling of dread inside. It wasn’t a good sign. Skye could be painfully direct when she was sober, but with a tongue loosened by alcohol, who knew what trouble we were in for? I didn’t want Blossom upset. I hated seeing her sadness when she knew she’d ‘failed again’ in Skye’s eyes...

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