The Christmas Sisters

He gave a half smile. “Go. I’ll keep Bonnie company. And drive carefully.”

Posy picked her way down the icy steps that led from her hayloft, then sprinted to her car. Thoughts about Luke mingled with concern for her sister.

What was wrong with Beth?

Why was she home a week early?

She did the airport run in record time and spotted Beth immediately. She was standing alone outside the arrivals door, looking forlorn. There was no sign of Jason or the kids.

Posy couldn’t remember a time when Beth had come home on her own.

What was going on?

She swerved into a space and leaned on her horn. Beth carried on staring into space.

Posy sprang from the car and sprinted across to her, checking quickly for airport police. They took a dim view of people abandoning their vehicles.

“Hey, Beth!” She was only a few strides away from her sister when Beth finally noticed her.

“Posy! You came.”

Posy had never seen such relief in anyone’s face before. “Of course I came.” She glanced behind her sister. “Did they lose your bags? Where’s your luggage?”

“This is it.” Beth slung her medium-sized bag over her shoulder.

“But you always travel with at least two suitcases.”

“Don’t start. Can we go? I’m freezing.” She swayed slightly and Posy decided that questions could wait until later.

Her sister was obviously tired, and also right about the air temperature. An icy wind blew in front of the terminal building, discouraging people from lingering.

She ushered Beth to the car. The airport was busy and the driver in the car behind her was revving his engine and hovering, waiting for her to vacate her space. He leaned on his horn and she resisted the temptation to make a rude gesture. “And a Merry Christmas to you, too, Mr. Scrooge. A Merry Christmas to one and all.” It was supposed to be the season of goodwill, but mostly it seemed to be the season of impatience.

She slid back into the driver’s seat and waited while Beth settled in next to her.

Posy turned the heating up. “Your call was a surprise. We weren’t expecting you for another week.”

“Thanks for coming at short notice. Were you in the middle of something?”

“As it happens, I was in bed with a tall, dark, handsome man having the best sex of my life. But I forgive you.”

Beth laughed. “You’re so funny.”

What did it say about her life that her sister assumed she’d made a joke?

Was her life really so boring and predictable that it was impossible for her family to envisage her ever having an active sex life?

“Actually, I really was—”

“Feeding the chickens. I know. You don’t have to sex up your life for me. I happen to know there are no tall, dark, handsome strangers in Glensay.” Beth yawned. “I’m relieved you weren’t out on a rescue. I was worried you might be. You’re a great sister.”

“I know. I’m the best.” Maybe this wasn’t the right moment to mention Luke anyway. Posy wanted Beth to do the talking. “Everything okay?”

“Never better.” Beth giggled and tried in vain to fasten her seat belt.

Frowning, Posy took over. “Bethany McBride Butler, are you drunk?”

“No. It takes more than a few glasses of champagne to get me drunk.”