Page 35 of One Golden Summer

Saffron removed her arm.

Kirsty cleared her throat, her thoughts in tatters. What the hell was going on? She was still on the clock here, still being paid to be Ginger’s party planner.

Even if the woman paying the bills was causing her heart palpitations.

Kirsty put a hand on Ginger’s thigh. She was by far the safer sister to touch. “Like Saffron says, this is going to be perfect, because we’re all going to make it so.”

Ginger blew her nose again. “Kirsty’s sourced some brilliant fridge magnet invites, so that’s sorted, too.”

Saffron nodded. “Great.”

“Now, we’ve got the date, venue, booze and invites dealt with. Just the food and entertainment to finalise.” Kirsty squeezed Ginger’s knee. “We’re cooking on gas.”

Saffron snagged her gaze one more time. “I couldn’t agree more.”

* * *

Kirsty picked up her phone.“Shit, it’s nearly ten. I’m opening up today. I have to run.”

Ginger nodded. “Sure thing.” She snapped her fingers. “I never gave you that coffee, though.”

Kirsty shrugged. “I’ll get one on the way back.”

“I’ll come with you. I need the steps. I’m buying.” Ginger got up, looking towards Saffron. “You coming? Or were you heading elsewhere?”

“Right with you.” Saffron picked up her pad. “You can drop me off on the way.”

Ginger ran in to get her house keys and locked up. They fell into an easy step side by side, the sea a calming presence to their left. The beach was beginning to fill up with day trippers, towels and blankets spread out on the pebbles. Kirsty had always been glad they had their beach hut so she didn’t have to lie on a bed of tiny rocks.

As they walked, Kirsty was hyper-aware of Saffron’s arm grazing hers, making her sweat that little bit more.

“Okay, so Kirsty’s invites sound good. But did I tell you I can get you some in the form of oyster shells, that smell of the sea when you open them?” Saffron had on herI’m a geniusface.

Ginger stopped in her tracks. “Seriously? In this weather, you want me to pipe fishy smells into people’s houses?”

Saffron’s face fell. “It’s the smell of nature!”

Kirsty bit down a laugh. Saffron was well-meaning, but Ginger knew how to put her in her place. Still, she clearly cared about her sister’s party. In fact, she was far from the self-centred arsehole Kirsty had first met.

“I like Kirsty’s idea better.”

Saffron shut up.

They carried on walking, past the oyster stalls, then one selling beach apparel, along with soft drinks, ice creams, and sticks of rock. Kirsty’s mouth watered as they passed the candyfloss machine. She’d always been partial as a kid.

“What about what you’re wearing? I can help you with that, right? You need something special. Something to tell everyone you’re back on the market.”

Ginger snorted. “Are you sure you’re not projecting? Do you need something new to tell everyoneyou’reback on the market?”

Kirsty almost felt sorry for Saffron.

Saffron sighed, her pace slowing. “It’s a good job you’re my only sister, otherwise I might see if I could replace you.” She paused, kicking a stone with her bubble-gum pink Converse. “I could get my assistant to fly you in something from Milan. Something designer. You’d look a million dollars. What do you think?”

They stopped outside The Coffee Hut, somewhere Kirsty had brought Ginger before.

“Coffee here?” Ginger asked.

Kirsty nodded.