The pasta had boiled, the sauce and salad were ready and Harriet had made a fantastic attempt at laying the table. Leah looked at the clock on the kitchen wall. ‘Should we feed Harriet first and wait for Eve?’ she asked Sean.
Her brother-in-law placed his second beer down on the counter. ‘Nope. Who knows when she’ll be home. She’ll probably use the fact we’re both here for an excuse to stay out even later.’
She was about to laugh but his face was deadly serious. ‘Surely she’ll hurry back after her meeting? She knows Ava’s sick.’
He rolled his eyes. ‘Don’t count on it. I’d say her meeting, if there even was one, probably finished hours ago.’ Sean seemed to force a smile. ‘Now come on, let’s eat. That sauce smells amazing.’
Leah stared after him as he made his way to the table. Eve hadn’t mentioned any marital problems, but Sean’s tone certainly implied something was going on. She hoped it wasn’t serious.
Her niece patted the chair next to hers. ‘I’ve saved you a seat.’
A satisfied smile played on Eve’s lips while she waited for the tram to pass before pulling out into Clarendon Street. She was relieved Ben had also ensured the bathroom was functional, and she’d been able to shower, fix her messed-up hair and redo her make-up before leaving.
They’d ordered Thai and lain in bed eating and chatting. It’d felt incredibly luxurious to have spent so many hours together. Usually they were only able to snatch two hours here or there.
Twenty minutes later, she took a deep breath and turned into her own driveway, her headlights lighting up the house. As far as Sean was concerned, she’d been working. Eve had nothing to feel guilty or apologise for. What she didn’t understand was why Leah’s work car was parked out the front. She’d assumed her sister would’ve left when Sean arrived home. That would’ve been hours ago.
She checked her reflection in the rear-view mirror; her cheeks were flushed, but that could be attributed to the chill in the air. She pushed the remote to open the garage door and drove forward to park her car.
Eve frowned when she heard Leah’s gentle laugh as she pushed open the internal access door. She scanned the kitchen, taking in the two empty beer bottles on the counter and the additional two being consumed at the table by her husband and sister.
Leah was the first to notice her. She jumped to her feet. ‘Eve, you’re back.’
She deposited her bag and computer case on the kitchen bench. ‘I didn’t think you’d still be here.’
‘Eve!’ Sean’s eyes flashed with anger. ‘That’s incredibly rude.’
‘What?’ she asked. ‘I thought once you got home, there would be no need for Leah to stay. I’m not saying she shouldn’t have, only that I’m surprised.’
‘I’d already promised Harry I’d put her to bed,’ her twin said. ‘And I wanted to check that Ava was feeling better when she woke up. She fell asleep the moment we got her home.’
‘How is she?’
‘She woke at about seven. Her temperature was back to normal, and she was able to eat the meal that Harry made her.’
Eve raised an eyebrow. ‘That Harriet made? God, what did that consist of?’
Leah smiled. ‘She made her a beautiful sandwich, and a mineral water to drink. Put it on a tray with a flower and everything. She’s an amazing kid.’ Her sister moved into the kitchen and stirred a pot on the stove. ‘There’s plenty of dinner left, if you’re hungry? I’ve kept it warm in case.’
Eve shook her head. ‘No, thanks, I’ve already eaten.’
‘Where were you?’ Sean asked. Her husband’s face was hard. He was obviously still annoyed at her.
‘Working. Like I told you.’
‘Until eight?’
She sighed. ‘That’s hardly unusual, Sean. Coming from you, it’s a bit of a joke, really. We’re lucky to see you before ten any night of the week.’
‘Which is why you work a job that allows you to be home for the girls.’ He took another swig of his beer.
Eve felt Leah’s eyes on them.
‘Perhaps I should go,’ her sister said.
Her husband stood. ‘No, you stay, and thanks so much for all your help today.’ He picked up his beer. ‘I’ve got some work to do.’ Sean went towards the front of the house, pulling his office door shut with a firm bang.
‘Everything okay with you guys?’ Leah asked.
Eve sighed again. ‘Yeah, he’s annoyed I asked you to get Ava and didn’t get her myself. Thanks, by the way.’ Eve poured herself a glass of water. ‘Sorry, I should’ve said that when I first came in. I really appreciate you picking the girls up. I know you would’ve had to cancel your afternoon.’
‘No worries. Actually, they perked me up a bit.’
‘Everything okay? Is work getting you down again?’
Leah’s dreams of being a hard-hitting journalist were not being met in the property section of The Melbournian.
‘Yes. Well, no,’ her sister said. ‘It’s not only work. It’s Grant too.’
Eve sat on one of the kitchen stools and motioned for her twin to do the same. ‘What’s going on with Grant? Mum’s sure he’s going to propose soon. I think she has the engagement party planned already.’ She glanced at her sister’s left hand. ‘Still no ring?’
Leah shook her head and her eyes misted over. ‘He ended it.’
She gasped. ‘What? Really? Why?’
‘He didn’t give me a proper reason. Just said it wasn’t working for him.’
Eve closed her mouth, aware that it was hanging open. Like her parents, she’d expected Leah to announce her engagement any day. She’d even seen a beautiful necklace she’d planned to buy for a special engagement present. Grant was like one of the family. It had to be a misunderstanding.
She wrapped her arms around Leah. ‘I’m so sorry.’
Her sister sank into her embrace and her short sharp breaths told her she was crying. She rubbed her back.
Eve was going to kill Grant when she saw him.
After a few minutes, Leah pulled away and reached across the kitchen bench for a tissue. ‘Sorry,’ she said. ‘You’re the first person I’ve told, and it makes it real.’
‘It doesn’t make sense. Six years and that’s it? No explanation?’
‘Appears so.’
‘Are you sure it’s definitely over? You didn’t get your wires crossed?’
Her sister sighed. ‘Nope, it’s over. He’s coming to get his stuff tomorrow night.’
Eve touched her twin’s arm. ‘I really am sorry, Lee. What a prick. But then, I’m beginning to think most of them are.’
A flicker of surprise flashed across Leah’s cobalt-blue eyes. ‘Who? Sean?’
‘Yes, he’s so bloody moody. You’d think he had his period the way he acts most of the time. I can’t seem to do anything right. I work too much and parent too little, according to him.’
‘Sounds tricky.’
‘You’re hardly disagreeing with him,’ Eve said. ‘What, do you think I work too much too?’