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Chapter Fifteen
‘Adele, hi. Is everythingokay?’
‘Hi, yes it’s great, thanks. How’s things with you?’
‘Good, thanks. I’m just at a pub quiz at the moment.’ Carmen leaned against one of the wooden picnic tables filling the courtyard outside the pub.
‘Aw, that sounds sweet. I won’t keep you then. I was just speaking to Lucy, and she’s going to come on board with my personal training business. I’m getting so much more interest than I can manage at the moment, so we’re going to join forces.’
‘Oh wow. That’s great that your business is growing so quickly.’ Why hadn’t she told her? Carmen had known her twin’s business was doing well, but to have enough customer interest to bring another personal trainer on board? Well, that was something else. ‘Why didn’t you tell me it was going so well?’
Adele mumbled, ‘Well, I guess I didn’t want to boast.’
‘Hey, sis. You’re not boasting, you’re sharing your success. I want to hear that you’re doing well. It gives me hope.’ Carmen laughed. It was true. Or it would be if she could figure out a way of replacing the wage she’d got from her pub job so she could use it to grow her business.
‘Good, I’m glad you think that.’ Adele paused.
Carmen wrapped her free arm around her middle. Why did she have the distinct feeling Adele was about to say something she wasn’t going to like? ‘Go on, just say it.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Whenever you’re going to say something you think is going to upset me you go all quiet like you are now. There’s obviously something you need to tell me or ask me or you wouldn’t be ringing. You’d be on some balcony sipping cocktails or enjoying the sunset on the beach or something.’
‘Ah, you know me too well.’
‘Of course I do. You’re my twin.’ Carmen laughed.
‘Okay, well, I wanted to ask you something. Something Lucy suggested, but I’m not sure you’ll take it as I mean it...’ Adele’s voice faded.
Carmen took a deep breath. If Adele was worried about asking her, then Carmenknewshe wouldn’t like it. ‘Just ask.’
‘Lucy suggested I ask if you want to move in for a bit. Into my spare room. You could live rent-free and come and work with us. You could take a course in personal training and take on more clients with me and Lucy.’
‘Oh, right.’ Move in with Adele and her family? Rent free? Work for her sister? With her friend?
‘And before you say anything, it wouldn’t be charity. You can start your business again around my way. My personal training is going down a treat. I’m sure your yoga classes would too. You could use the money you get from personal training to build your business. Start afresh.’
‘Umm.’ So Adele didn’t believe Carmen could make a success of her yoga business then. That was clear. Crystal clear. She was giving her a way out, another option. Looking down, Carmen pinched the bridge of her nose. As much as she loved Adele, Stephen, and the boys, she didn’t want to live with them. She was independent. She liked being independent. She wasn’t about to rely on her sister and brother-in-law.
‘I’ve annoyed you. Upset you.’ Adele’s voice cracked. ‘I told Lucy you wouldn’t like it. I told her you’d think I was encouraging you to give up on your dream.’
‘No, no. I don’t think that.’ Carmen looked down the hill towards the beach, the warm orange glow of the sunset illuminating the waves beneath. That’s exactly what she did think.
‘Are you sure? I’m just trying to help. I want you to be as happy as I am. I hate to see you struggle.’
‘I know. I’ll be fine. You don’t have to worry about me.’ Now it was her turn for her voice to crack.
‘I’m sorry, Carmen. I shouldn’t have asked.’
‘Hey, don’t be sorry. I’ll think about it. Thanks for the offer.’ Carmen tried to keep her voice steady, confident. ‘Anyway, I’d better get back. Speak soon?’
‘Yes. Great. Really do think about it, won’t you? I think it could be really good, the three of us working together.’
‘Yes, I will.’
‘Okay. Bye.’
‘Bye.’ Ending the call, Carmen slipped her phone into her pocket and crossed her arms again. Closing her eyes, she focused on the gentle warm breeze surrounding her. Maybe sheshouldface facts and give up on her dream business idea. It wasn’t working now, and it probably never would. She’d been daft thinking she could turn it around.
