Saffron nodded. “It seemed rude not to.”
Ginger cleared her throat. “What did you just say? This was you?” She swept a hand up and down in front of her.
Her sister nodded. “I know you said you didn’t want the Milan treatment, but I asked my LA stylist anyway, seeing as you say no to most things I suggest.” Saffron touched one of the sleeves that Ginger had rolled up.
“That’s because they’re more for you, not for me.” She eyed her sister. “In fact, this would look far better on you. Fit you better, too. It’s younger, more hip. You could pull it off because you’re a movie star. Whereas on me, it looks a little…Boogie Nights.”
Saffron’s shoulders slumped. “I was just trying to surprise you. Do a nice thing. But I can send it back.”
Ginger walked over, taking her sister in her arms. She was a few inches shorter, so Saffron put her head on her shoulder.
“It was a nice gesture, but I can buy my own clothes, okay? You should try it on.”
Saffron nodded. “I might. Pack it back up and I’ll take it home.” She untangled herself from Ginger and sat next to Kirsty. “Nice surprise seeing you here.”
“Same.” Kirsty hadn’t meant to be so honest, but she couldn’t help it. Saffron brought it out of her. Whatever it was between them, the heat of it was far stronger than the sun.
Saffron’s cheeks turned pink as she looked anywhere but at Kirsty. She cleared her throat and glanced over at Ginger. “Anyway, the reason I’m here is because I decided I want to get a cocktail tonight. I thought I’d ask my sister to join me.”
Ginger frowned. “Tonight? Hell, no. I’ve got a mobile beauty lady coming round to pamper me stupid.” She pointed. “Ask Kirsty. I’m going to get out of this suit before an agent walks by and signs me up for the remake ofSaturday Night Fever.”
Saffron rolled her eyes. “Very droll.” When Ginger was gone, she turned to Kirsty, her sure tone faltering. “What do you think of Ginger’s idea? A cocktail with me later?”
Kirsty blew out her cheeks. Was that wise? “It sounds suspiciously like a date, which we agreed we weren’t going to go on.”
Saffron moved her mouth one way, then the other. “It’s not a date. It’s an outing. Just two friends having a drink.”
“You really believe that?”
“With all my heart.” Saffron crossed her own, just so Kirsty understood.
“An outing?”
“Uh-huh. Pick you up at 7.30?”
Kirsty looked her dead in the eye. Saffron would make a terrible poker player. “7.30.”
* * *
An impromptu outing.Not a date.An outing.
What the fuck did she wear to an outing? Because for all their stop-start so far, Kirsty and Saffron had never actually gone out in the evening just the two of them. No family or friends. Just them. Which made this a very strange non-date.
Should she have said no? Probably. But it was her night off, and she was still in her 40s. She might as well live a little while she could. She’d said something similar to her mum this week and had been clunked over the head with a tea towel. In her mum’s world, Kirsty was definitely not old.
Tonight, she was going out with a hot movie star, so she was going to channel her inner 35-year-old. It wasn’t that long ago. She could totally pull it off.
Luckily, she was on top of her laundry, so her perfect outfit was clean. She sent up a silent prayer to a god she didn’t believe in. It couldn’t hurt to have as many people as possible on her side tonight.
For this non-date.
Very much a non-date.
7pm rolled around sooner than she thought. Kirsty took a breath, recalling the scorched look from Saffron earlier. Had it been scorched? Or had it just been in her imagination? She’d soon find out. She steadied her hand as she applied foundation, mascara, powder, and a little lipstick. She studied herself, then gave a nod. She could pass for late 30s.
Nearly game time.
Kirsty tried waiting on her sofa, but she couldn’t sit still. She hoovered her sofa cushions. Dusted the coffee table. Straightened her copies ofDecanter.
