But I’m not working at the café today, so with a sigh, Iclose my eyes, determined to blot out April and the lottery win for a little whilelonger. I’m so pleased for Carrie and Ronan, but their amazing good fortunejust seems to highlight the chaos and fear in my own life.
I just need a little snooze and then I’ll get up, have somecoffee, and make a plan...
But oblivion is clearly off the menu because next moment,someone is buzzing the flat. Not once but about ten times in succession,drilling right into my head.
Carrie.
On the phone last night she said something about ‘tomorrow’,but I didn’t imagine she’d be coming over this early!
I can’t pretend I’m out, either, because she’s peering at methrough a small gap in the curtains now, rapping on the window, grinning awayand holding something up.
Groaning, I fling back the duvet and grab my dressing gown.Pulling it on, I look with horror at my pasty reflection in the mirror...at the wild haystack on my head.
Not that Carrie will care what I look like. She probablywon’t even notice.
She’s won the lottery.
Buzzing her in and unlocking the door, I draw in a deepbreath and try out my smile. I might feel like death but I’m determined to havethe happiest face my sister has ever seen!
‘We won the lottery!’ she says, waving a bottle of champagneabout when I open the door.
I laugh. ‘I know you did. And I’m so happy for you andRonan. Honestly, it’s just wonderful.’
She looks at me with a bemused expression. ‘No, you idiot.’She laughs. ‘When I said “we” won the lottery, I meant you and I.Wewon.Us!’ She sets down the bottle on the hall table and pulls me into ahug.
‘What?’ Hugging her back, I’m struggling to understand whatshe’s telling me.
She pulls back and smiles happily. ‘We always said that ifone of us won, we’d split it right down the middle.’
‘Did we?’ I peer at her through my headache haze. ‘Yes, Isuppose we did. But I never really thought...’
‘That I’d split my winnings with you? Don’t be daft,Krystle. You know me better than that.’
‘But what about Ronan?’
‘Ronan?’ She smiles. ‘Oh, he’s always teased me for betting eachweek on such impossible odds. He’s having to eat his words now, of course,although he’s definitely not complaining!’
‘So he wouldn’t mind you splitting the winnings with me?’ Istare at her in a state of wondrous disbelief, hope shining inside me like the bigsmiley sun on the Teletubbies.
Carrie shakes her head. ‘Not at all. Ronan’s always knownthat’s what I’d do with the money if I ever won. He knew straight away that I’dshare it with you. Look, can I come in properly? Or are we going to slugchampagne straight from the bottle standing in the hallway?’
‘Of course.’ I stand aside, feeling strangely disconnectedfrom what’s going on, as if I’m no longer in my body but watching things from adistance.
Maybe I’m dreaming it?
Carrie laughs. ‘What are you doing?’
‘Pinching myself? Making sure you’re actually here and notjust a mirage.’
‘Of course I’m here.’ She waves the bottle with a grin.‘Where else would I be, if not celebrating with my twinnie?’
‘Don’t shake that about. It’ll explode. But listen, Carrie, areyou really sure about this?’
‘Yes, of course I am. Now, stop it. You’re spoiling themoment.’ She clears her throat and hands me the champagne. Then she takes outher phone and shows me the figure on the screen.
‘Krystle Cartwright, I’ve done the calculation and I’m happyto inform you that, as of today, you’re a millionaire!’
CHAPTERSIX
