Page 12 of The Sunrise Sisterhood

‘It will be,’ she agreed.

Although if anyone needed looking after, Clare had a feeling it was Liz. She’d sounded very down this morning. Admittedly, today was a sad day for both of them. But even during their last conversation, Clare had come off the phone feeling worried about her. It had only been seven thirty in the evening and Liz had sounded dazed and confused, as if she’d just woken. So out of character.

‘She’s the nearest thing that Ivy has to a grandmother,’ she continued. ‘And it’ll be Ivy’s first proper holiday.’

‘And talking of family members,’ Anya opened the gate for her and together they walked to Clare’s car. ‘Little Acorns strongly recommends that you provide us with an alternative contact number, for when you aren’t available.’

Clare frowned. ‘But you’ve already got my work number and mobile and my landline, not that I’m ever there when Ivy is at nursery.’

‘Another person,’ Anya clarified. ‘Not another number for you. Someone who can take responsibility for Ivy when you can’t. Even Superwoman needs help occasionally,’ she teased.

‘Not me,’ Clare replied. ‘I don’t need help.’

‘Accepting help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s the opposite. Let someone else take the pressure off you,’ said Anya kindly.

‘I’m not under any pressure,’ Clare replied briskly. She opened the rear door and slid Ivy into her car seat.

The nursery manager maintained eye contact long enough to let Clare know that she wasn’t fooled for one second. ‘A relative? Ivy’s father perhaps?’

Clare felt her hackles rise. That was what Mum had done and look where that had got her. She and Ivy were managing just fine on their own, thanks very much. And as for relatives, it was slim pickings on that front.

‘I’m not relying on anyone else, Anya. And certainly not a man. Not for anything,’ she said, keeping her voice even as she did up Ivy’s straps.

Anya gave her an apologetic look. ‘We’re going to have to insist, I’m afraid. Procedures are there to safeguard the children in our care. We had a situation last year when a parent died suddenly. I’m not suggesting for a moment—’

‘Oh my God.’ Clare’s lungs felt as tight as if someone had put iron bars around her ribs. If anything happened to her, where would that leave Ivy?

‘Sorry.’ Anya withered under the intensity of Clare’s horrified stare.

‘I’ll find someone,’ she promised. ‘When we come back in September, I’ll have another number to give you.’

Anya breathed a sigh of relief, said her goodbyes to Ivy and set off back inside.

There were tears in Clare’s eyes as she drove home. She’d been wrong earlier when she’d said that being late to collect Ivy was her biggest nightmare, because this – the fear of leaving her daughter orphaned and alone in the world – was far, far worse.

Chapter Five

Skye

‘It’s buzzing, isn’t it?’ Skye linked arms with her dad, forcing him to lower his phone.

The Night Market at Exeter’s Quayside was clearly a very popular event. Skye’s senses were alight with the sights, smells and sounds as they followed the crowd towards the marquees that formed a square beside the quay.

Mike gave an impressed whistle. ‘Sure is. What a great place; they’ve made a nice job of it. I’m glad you suggested coming, it was an excellent idea. Gives us chance for a chat, too.’

‘Thanks.’ She felt her heart swell.

She’d always craved her dad’s attention. Mike was a hard man to impress and so far in her twenty-nine years, she hadn’t managed it often. Her half-sister Clare, on the other hand, seemed to get it effortlessly.

‘Work hard like Clare and you’ll go to university too.’

‘Failed again? Hard luck. Not everyone passes on their first attempt, like Clare.’

‘I remember teaching Clare to ride a bike, she got the hang of it in no time …’

And so on.

Not that Skye had anything against Clare. Credit where it was due, Clare was bloody amazing. She’d climbed the ladder to a successful adulthood without a single misstep. Whereas Skye was still flailing around at the bottom, trying to get her foot on the first rung. And Clare was a mother now, with a baby Skye hadn’t even met yet, she thought with a twinge of guilt. But no doubt Clare was a wonderful mum; she’d have taken to motherhood like a duck to water. Interesting that she was a solo parent, mind you. Although, knowing her, it would have been a carefully calculated move. She’d probably decided that she’d do a better job of raising a child alone than letting anyone else have a say.