Page 98 of Not So Very Sensible

“That’s the spirit.” Liv nodded approvingly. “Remember when I was so set on getting a job at Wattle Vale Secondary College, then I didn’t get it? God did have something better for me. Which is what will happen for you and Annabelle and Katie.”

“In Jesus’ name.”

“Amen!” they all said, then laughed.

Ellie smiled. It was good to finally laugh after a week of tiptoeing around other people’s big feelings. Katie couldn’t understand why the sun kept shining or why others might want to smile. That was half the reason why she didn’t want to appear at the café.

“I don’t want to be around people who are celebrating,” she’d snapped.

“But you not showing up means we have to ask Annabelle to cover your shifts, and that’s not fair on her.”

“She doesn’t have to,” Katie said stubbornly.

But allowing for sadness without letting it slip into selfishness was a delicate game to play.

“Well, I’ll be praying for you all,” Liv said.

“Keep us posted about the wedding planning.”

She wrinkled her nose. “I’m trying to figure out how we can do this. Georgina said she’s due to finish her studies by Easter but won’t graduate until July. So I’m not sure when we should hold the ceremony.”

“Hold it after Easter. That’s late March, anyway, isn’t it?” EJ said, glancing at her phone.

“But what does it mean about the café?” Liv grimaced. “It’s half the reason I haven’t wanted to discuss this with Mum. I think she’ll make everything harder than it needs to be.”

“She’ll be happy to have it whenever suits you and to close the shop. If you’re not careful, they’ll probably want to stay awhile too.”

“I can always stay here to look after things,” Annabelle said.

“What? No, I want you here too.”

“Really?”

“Of course. You and Abbey are our cousins, and it’d be great to have you. And your parents too, of course.”

“I think Abbey is pretty focused on her architecture studies, and Mum and Dad are busy with the farm, so I’m not sure if they can get away.”

“Well, we can always ask. And Great-Aunt Marion, if she’s well enough still.”

“I think Aunty Marion would love that,” Emma-Jane said. “But I’m not sure that she’d be well enough to travel. Maybe we could Zoom the ceremony to her somehow. Leave it with me.”

“Gosh, I love being able to leave things with EJ.”

“Don’t we all?” Ellie grinned. “Leaving things with EJ is the next best thing to leaving things with God.”

This drew a protest from EJ and laughter from the others, which soon saw Katie schlep into the room, her blanket wrapped around her shoulders, demanding to know what all the fuss was about.

“What are you doing? Why are you having a conversation without me?”

“Hey, we thought you were asleep,” Ellie soothed.

“How are you, Katie?” Liv asked.

Katie shrugged. Her hair was greasy, she had spots on her face, and her T-shirt was stained. The revenge haircut Ellie had finally managed to get around to having was not for Katie. Goodbye blue hair streak, hello magenta.

“Honey, make sure you’re getting enough sleep, okay?”

“I am.”