‘I very much did not do that,’ said Sofia, laughing. She looked at Carmen with uncharacteristic softness. ‘I think it’s having you here.’
‘What, not getting laid and packing the dishwasher wrong?’
‘Something along those lines,’ she said. ‘I think you’re good for me, Carmen.’
Carmen looked up, surprised.
‘Thanks,’ she mumbled, finding it hard to look Sofia in the eye. Then she paused. ‘I’m having a good time too.’
‘Even with me being a dishwasher fiend?’
‘Yes,’ said Carmen. ‘And the children aren’t brats. They’re wonderful.’
There was a very quiet noise from downstairs. The sisters looked at each other.
‘It couldn’t be,’ said Carmen, quicker off the mark.
‘What? What?’ said Sofia. But Carmen was already heading up to the big windows looking over the street. Sure enough, the cab had circled round and come back – and there was Skylar, her long blonde hair tipping down her back, dashing up and hopping in.
‘Come on – it’s funny,’ Sofia was saying.
‘I know,’ said Carmen. ‘But it’s just been so long. And I liked … ’
‘What?’ said Sofia.
‘No, it’s stupid.’
‘What?’
‘Well. I … I liked the idea. I mean, everyone is so sorted and well off and has nice houses and I’m completely stuck. It was … it was fun. The idea of it. Going to fancy places and being treated well.’
‘Being treated well by people who aren’t him.’
‘Yeah yeah yeah, I know, I know. It’s all right for you, sleeping upstairs.’
‘Do you want to sleep in the spare room?’
‘No, thank you,’ said Carmen carefully. ‘I already stained the downstairs sink with hair dye.’
Sofia heaved herself up with a sigh.
‘Need a hand?’
‘No, I’m okay, thanks.’
‘She’d better be back in the morning,’ said Carmen, slugging more water. ‘I’m not getting up for the kids.’
‘And I won’t be able to,’ agreed Sofia.
It was actually worse than that. Skylar was back by the time Carmen got up, feeding the children porridge and natural honey at the table and looking as fresh as a daisy.
‘Morning,’ she trilled. ‘Oh, Carmen, thank you so much for introducing me to your friend Blair! He’s just amazing.’
‘Carmen was kissing him!’ offered Phoebe.
‘I was not!’ said Carmen. ‘They are completely mistaken.’
‘Oh, it’s okay,’ said Skylar. ‘I know.’
She smiled beatifically.
‘He said he might stop back in Edinburgh on his way back from LA! He’s heading to Amsterdam and said he has to stop somewhere! Then he might take me with him.’
Carmen couldn’t help it. That stung. Not because of Blair, he was an idiot. But … but … It was a little more than sleeping in your sister’s basement and having a temp job.
‘Well, that’s nice,’ she said, trying to sound pleased for Skylar and not making a particularly good job of it. ‘Why is there never any blooming white bread in this house?’