Absent in the Spring (The Shakespeare Sisters 3)

Cesca narrowed her eyes. ‘Okay.’

‘I’ve finished. I think I’ll go back to my room.’ Their father pushed his plate away, the cutlery rattling against the china.

Lucy looked up from her own plate of food, only half-eaten in front of her. ‘Do you want me to come with you? Show you where to go?’

‘I know where to go.’ He was in one of those moods. ‘I’d like some peace and quiet, if it’s all the same to you.’ He stood and left before she could protest. What was the worst that could happen anyway? The whole home was built around people who chronically lost their way. The worst he could do was end up in somebody else’s bedroom. And as the nurse had reassured them, that happened a lot.

‘Moody old bastard,’ Cesca muttered.

‘Cess,’ Lucy said. ‘It’s not his fault.’

‘I know, but you’d think that the times he’s lucid he’d actually try to be nice, wouldn’t you? He’s done nothing but moan and criticise you all day. He even started being rude about Mum —’

‘What did he say?’ Lucy’s voice was terse.

‘Nothing. Just the usual rambles.’ Cesca shrugged. ‘You know what he’s like.’

‘He says a lot of stupid things,’ Lucy agreed, her chest feeling tight. ‘You should ignore them.’

‘I do. But when he has a go at you, I want to shake him. Doesn’t he know how much you’ve done for him? Bloody hell, you practically took over when Mum died. He just disappeared into his room all the time. It’s like he forgot he had four daughters to look after.’

Lucy pressed her fingers to her temple, rubbing the skin there. ‘Yeah, but we managed, didn’t we? And I know he’s annoying sometimes, but remember, there’ll come a time when he can’t talk any more. We’ll long for him to bitch at us then.’

Cesca’s eyes were glassy. She blinked them a couple of times. ‘You’re right,’ she said, her voice a whisper. ‘It’s so horrible, isn’t it? I don’t know how you’ve coped with it all this time. We owe you a lot, Luce.’

‘I’m your big sister. It’s what I do.’

‘You’re so much more. I just wish you’d let us look after you sometimes. You look worn out.’

‘I’m fine. I’ve just been working hard, that’s all. I’ve got this client flying in, and a big meeting on Tuesday afternoon, so I had to work late all last week.’ She didn’t mention that the client had been on her mind all weekend, too. Ever since her sister had fallen in love with Sam, she’d become a born-again romantic. And the last thing Lucy needed right now was a sermon.

‘And then you came down and helped Dad move into this place,’ Cesca gestured at the home. ‘You even gave up your weekend. Without a thank-you from him.’

‘I don’t do it for thanks.’

Cesca leaned forward. ‘Then why do you do it?’

‘Because we’re family. And we may be scattered all over the world, but we have blood tying us together. I do it because I love you. We were torn apart once before, and I won’t let it happen again. Not on my watch.’

‘You can’t control life.’ Cesca shook her head. ‘Look at me. I’ve ended up with the one man I hated. You think I planned for it? Life is messy, Luce. You just have to go with it.’

‘How is Sam, anyway?’ Lucy asked, diverting the conversation. ‘How’s the shooting going in Budapest?’

‘He’s tired, grumpy, overworked. But once this is wrapped we get a lovely long break,’ Cesca said.

‘And what are your plans after that?’ Lucy had long since given up hope that her sister would move back to the UK. Sam was riding way too high for that. Not to mention the fact that Cesca’s star was on the rise, too. Her play had had a successful run in the West End, and there were rumours of a Broadway production. Still, Cesca did her best to visit whenever she had a chance.

Cesca bit down a smile. ‘I can’t really talk about that yet.’

Lucy raised her eyebrows. ‘Why not? Don’t tell me Sam’s going to be the next James Bond.’

Cesca laughed. ‘Not likely. He’s only just got over being stereotyped as a lifeguard, I don’t think he’s planning on doing any other movie franchises soon.’ She looked down at her nails, that smile still playing on her lips. ‘It’s me that has to keep schtum. I’m in negotiations about a script.’

‘A playscript?’ Lucy asked her.

‘No, it’s a series. I’m in negotiations with a popular streaming service, but I can’t say much more.’

‘You signed an NDA?’ Lucy knew all about non-disclosure agreements. They seemed pretty common in LA – Kitty had asked for her advice about one, too.