The Sun Sister (The Seven Sisters #6) - Lucinda Riley Page 0,281

the beach at Mombasa, but it’ll do for now, yes.’

That evening, Cecily bathed Rosa and put her to bed, then Bill told Rosa another story about the meerkats that lived in Africa, while Stella packed her carry-on, ready to go to the station and catch the train to Baltimore. None of them were too hungry after lunch, so Cecily made a plate of sandwiches and a pot of tea and the three of them sat down to eat before Stella left.

‘Kuyia, we have something to talk to you about,’ said Stella, looking nervously at Bill. ‘Bill was saying that it’s been twenty-three years since you took a vacation. That’s far too long a time to never have a day off.’

‘Honestly’ – Cecily eyed them both fiercely – ‘I’m perfectly happy, thank you very much, and I have lots of time off now that Rosa is at school.’

‘Hear us out, please,’ said Stella. ‘You haven’t been to Kenya in all that time, so Bill and I think you should travel back with him and spend some time at Paradise Farm.’

‘That sounds awful nice in theory,’ Cecily said, ‘but what about Rosa?’

‘Bill has kindly said he will pay for a nanny to take care of her during the week while you’re away. I’m here at weekends and between us, we’ll work the details out.’

‘But—’

‘No buts, Kuyia. Seeing Bill again after all this time has reminded me just how much you’ve done for me, and if anyone deserves a vacation, it’s you. So, I’m going to take a few days’ leave – I have plenty due to me – and start looking for the right person to be with Rosa while you’re away.’

‘Really, you two, can I not have a say in this?’

‘No, I’m afraid you can’t. You’re not getting any younger. If you don’t go back now, maybe you never will. Please, Kuyia,’ Stella said, reaching her hands across the table and taking Cecily’s. ‘It’s your turn now.’

‘But how long would this vacation be for? I know it’s easier to get to Kenya these days, but it’s hardly a place one can visit for just a week, is it?’

‘We thought a couple of months,’ said Bill.

‘A couple of months?! But what about my teaching? My garden?’

‘I spoke to Rosalind earlier on the telephone and she thinks that you should go too. I know you don’t like to think about it, but you are replaceable,’ said Stella calmly. ‘Rosalind’s got a great new part-timer who’s eager to be doing more.’

‘And as for the garden,’ piped up Bill, ‘I’ve already contacted a domestic agency to find a housekeeper who can keep both the apartment and the garden under control.’

Cecily sat back in her chair. ‘Jeez! You two sure have everything worked out.’

‘Yes, we do, and for once in your life, you need to let someone else take charge, okay?’

‘Okay,’ Cecily breathed. ‘But I’d like to meet the person who is going to take care of Rosa. You know how difficult she can be, Stella, but I don’t want a witch and—’

‘She’s my child! Do you seriously think I’d leave her with a witch?’ said Stella. ‘I’m twenty-eight years old, with a career that relies a lot on character assessment. Please, trust me, okay? Now, I must leave or I’m gonna miss my train.’ Stella stood up and kissed Cecily on the top of her head. ‘Remember, we all love you, and it’s about time you got a chance to relax and snatch some happiness. See you next Friday,’ she said as she picked up her carry-on and left the kitchen.

‘Gin?’ suggested Bill as the front door closed behind Stella. Without waiting for a reply, he stood up. ‘I went to what they call the liquor store and replenished the stocks,’ he said, holding aloft a new bottle from the cupboard. ‘Cheers,’ he said, after he’d added tonic and ice to the glasses and put one in front of Cecily.

‘Cheers, I think,’ Cecily toasted back and took a large gulp. ‘So, don’t I have any say in the matter?’

‘Sadly not.’

‘I feel as though I’m being kidnapped! What if I don’t want to go?’

‘Oh, but I think you do,’ Bill said with what Cecily felt was a rather patronising smile. ‘I can see it in your eyes every time I talk of Kenya.’

‘I’m just concerned about Rosa . . .’

‘As Stella said, she is a grown woman and ultimately responsible for her daughter. You said that they don’t spend enough time together – maybe this will