Sisters - Michelle Frances Page 0,98

seemed to have already had a couple of drinks.

Ellie came over, leading her boyfriend by the hand. ‘Hi, Abby. This is Rory.’

Rory broke free from Ellie and held out his hand. Abby was still clutching her briefcase and her glass, so a handshake became an awkward nod and a raising-of-glasses sort of greeting. She was struck by how normal he looked – average, if she was being unkind – and it surprised her. Ellie usually attracted the good-looking type.

Abby turned to Jon. ‘I guess you guys have already met . . .’

‘Jon’s been telling us about his work with London Harlequins,’ said Ellie enthusiastically. ‘You didn’t say he was a physio for one of the best rugby teams in the country.’

Hadn’t she? Abby couldn’t remember. And since when did her sister know anything about rugby teams and which were the best?

‘So, has everyone had a good day?’ she asked, suddenly noticing a pile of shopping bags near Ellie’s feet.

‘Spent a fortune,’ said Ellie. ‘But it was a lot of fun. Got the most amazing dress.’

She was already looking amazing, thought Abby. That was one of the upsides of working in a school – her sister had the summer off and had acquired a golden tan from the freedom of days outside. She was wearing a blue cotton dress and looked relaxed and carefree. Jon was on her other side and, in his blue shorts and white shirt, they looked as if they were the couple and Abby in her suit was with Rory in his grey trousers.

‘Then Rory and I met for a cocktail before the boat,’ said Ellie, and Abby was reminded of how Rory was a teacher and had the same extended holidays.

‘Nice,’ said Jon. ‘I was hanging around like Billy no-mates.’

‘If we’d known, you could’ve joined us,’ said Ellie warmly.

Abby smiled, but it felt uncomfortable across her lips. She glanced at the two men but neither seemed embarrassed. Abby chided herself: she had to get out of this stressed, corporate mood; her little sister was just being friendly.

‘Hey, there’s the OXO Tower,’ exclaimed Ellie as they passed the landmark. ‘I can recommend their watermelon mojitos.’

‘Blimey,’ said Abby. ‘Must’ve cost a bit, going in there.’

‘It was a one-off,’ said Ellie. ‘And the view was amazing.’ She lifted her arm and waved up at the tower. ‘Hello, lucky people enjoying your mojito cocktails!’ She looked at Abby. ‘Hey, you should come,’ she said, ‘maybe a girlie night out one day?’

‘Bit pricey for me,’ said Abby lightly. ‘What are they, ten quid each?’

‘Thirteen,’ said Ellie, and Abby winced.

‘Abby’s just bought her first flat,’ said Ellie.

‘Oh yeah?’ said Rory. ‘Congratulations.’

‘She’s taken advantage of the recession and the drop in property prices.’

‘Amazing you managed to pull together a deposit,’ said Rory admirably.

Abby shrugged. ‘Saved.’

‘Hard on a teaching assistant’s salary,’ laughed Ellie, but Abby thought she caught a note of resentment. Might be easier if you didn’t shop so much or spend thirteen quid on a drink, she thought, and then immediately hated the way it made her feel.

‘Hey, look,’ said Jon. ‘Is that St Paul’s?’

They all turned to face the other side of the river, and up ahead loomed the familiar dome of the cathedral. It glowed in the soft evening light, its stateliness a direct contrast to the modern gleaming Gherkin which they could see further downstream.

‘What a great city we live in,’ said Ellie. ‘Or at least I will do soon.’

‘What do you mean?’ asked Abby, surprised.

‘I’m finally moving out of the parental home. Found a flat in South Wimbledon.’

‘Wow,’ said Abby.

‘Renting, of course.’ Ellie gave a resigned sigh. ‘Except the rent’s the same as a mortgage.’

‘Maybe we’ll all win the lottery one day,’ said Jon. ‘Then we can buy penthouses on the riverfront and retire early.’

At that, they all raised their glasses in solidarity. Although Abby smiled along with them, she hugged her secret to herself. It was something she’d told no one, but that was her quiet dream. Not to buy a penthouse but to retire early. That was why she was working every hour she could, to climb the corporate ladder as fast as she could. She lived on a strict budget that would shock some students and saved every penny she could spare. It made her feel safe.

The band started up and Ellie grabbed Rory’s hand. ‘Come on, let’s dance,’ she said, refusing to take his protests seriously.

Abby felt Jon’s arm rest on her shoulders. ‘You fancy it?’ he asked, but she didn’t. She felt tense