Right Number, Wrong Girl
Mum held the door open for me to pass through. “Oh, you got lucky today.”
“Is this a green egg? What do you have in there? The Easter bunny?”
She laughed, taking the basket from me. “I have a couple of birds who lay blue and green shelled eggs. Are you hungry?”
“I guess.”
“Let me make you breakfast. Egg and soldiers?”
My lips twitched. “I haven’t had that in years.”
“Of course you haven’t. The only thing you can boil is your temper.”
“Speak for yourself.”
“That’s why I can say it.” She laughed and swept through the kitchen. “How did you sleep?”
“I slept.”
“That doesn’t answer the question, Sophie.”
“I slept,” I repeated. “It’s better than nothing.”
Mum put a lid on the pan and turned the heat right up. “You’re right. How do you feel today?”
I sat down at the table that filled the middle of the room and looked at the crocheted placemats. “Do you actually use these?”
“With your father around? Don’t be silly. He’d spill his tea on them. They’re purely decorative.” Mum turned to look at me. “How do you feel?”
“Wow. You are not letting this go.”
“Honey, you showed up yesterday afternoon and burst into tears on the doorstep. I am absolutely not letting this go.”
I toyed with the frayed edge of the mat. “It’s the party today. I’m… I guess I’m sad,” I said after a moment. “I worked hard on it, and I really love Evelyn. I wish I could be there to see it.”
“You could be. You could drive and make it in time.”
“No. I’m not going to crash it. Besides, Anna would have a fit if I showed up.”
“Anna sounds like she needs my book club to bury her.”
“Or throw her in the sea?”
“Just say the word.”
“I’m going to pretend as though I haven’t just walked into a conspiracy to commit murder,” Dad said, unzipping his jacket. “Good morning, pudding.” He kissed my cheek. “My most beautiful wife.”
Mum narrowed her eyes as she accepted his kiss. “What have you done?”
I hid my smile.
“Why must I have done something? Can I not be happy to have my favourite girls in my kitchen?”
“No.”
I laughed. “Oh, Mum. Never change.”
“Why would I do that?” she asked. “I’m wonderful the way I am.”