The Christmas Sisters

“All of a sudden. Probably psychological.”

And that, Posy thought, was all she was going to get.

Not wanting to push her luck, she changed the subject. “I’ve been planning Mom’s dinner tomorrow night. You know how desperately she wants Christmas to be perfect, and so far it hasn’t been because she’s been ill. I feel so bad for her.”

“Yeah, me, too.” Looking distracted, Hannah grabbed the hair dryer.

“I thought you, Beth and I should make a massive effort to make Christmas extra special for her, starting with the dinner tomorrow.”

“What would that involve? I’m not plucking a turkey, and I have no i

dea how to knit.”

“I was thinking more about us working hard to get along well. No bickering. We agree with each other. We’re kind to each other. We listen and pay attention. Be perfect sisters.” It sounded hard even to her and she was the one suggesting it. It didn’t surprise her that Hannah looked amused.

“Sounds like the most stressful dinner we will have had in a long time, but sure. I’m on board. You’ll need to tell Beth to leave her phone upstairs, because if that woman calls her, you can bet your life she’ll be answering. She can’t help herself. And if she answers, you’ll yell and that will be the end of sisterly harmony.”

“You yell, too.”

“Because that woman is a monster and I can’t bear to hear her bullying Beth.”

Posy stared at her. “You think that, too?”

“Of course. It’s a fact.”

Posy sighed. “She’s going to be a tough boss.”

“I’m a tough boss,” Hannah said, “although I’d also argue that I’m fair, clear and consistent in my expectations. Corinna isn’t a tough boss. She’s a bully. It’s different. Part of the reason Beth wants to go back to work is for a confidence boost, and working for a difficult boss usually has the opposite effect.”

Posy knew nothing about the corporate world, but what Hannah was saying made sense to her. “Beth thinks it’s a huge compliment that this woman wants her as part of the team.”

Hannah frowned. “I don’t think that’s what is going on.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing. Forget it.”

Posy didn’t want to forget it. “You help corporations sort themselves out. You have the brain the size of a planet. Can’t you help Beth?”

“What makes you think she wants my help?”

“Well, she certainly needs it. You’re her sister. That gives you the right to interfere without permission. And think about the alternative—if you don’t help her, she’ll go and work for that woman again and it will be awful.”

“I’m not sure that’s what will happen.”

“You think Beth is going to turn her down?”

“No. I think—” Hannah shook her head and selected a hairbrush. “Never mind. Let’s talk about tomorrow. What are we going to cook? What’s Suzanne’s favorite food?”

Posy had to admit she occasionally found her sister exasperating. “I haven’t finished talking about Beth. You make these vague statements, and then you don’t finish them.”

“Because I don’t have all the facts necessary to reach an informed conclusion.”

“You can’t just gossip and speculate like normal people?”

“No.” Hannah plugged in the hair dryer.

“The way your brain works is scary. I used to be so intimidated by you.”