Page 33 of Darling Girls

Norah snorted. As if Jessica didn’t work all day every day. As did Sonja, apparently, since it was Saturday morning. Trust Jessica to find such a high-achieving employee.

‘Hi, Son. What’s up?’

‘Just a quick one: I had a phone call from a client . . . Debbie Montgomery-Squires? You did her bathroom overhaul yesterday?’

Jessica’s face darkened. ‘Is this about some missing pills? I reorganised her cabinets. Things were moved around.’

Norah caught sight of Jessica’s face in the rear-view mirror. There was something off about her, Norah thought.

‘I know,’ Sonja said. ‘I explained that. I just wanted to touch base because I’m a bit worried about her. She’s the litigious type. The type to go toA Current Affair.’

Jessica’s jaw flickered. ‘I’m headed out of town, bit of a family emergency, but I’ll give her a call now, okay? I’ll offer her a free wardrobe cleanse.’

‘Can I suggest consulting with legal first?’ Sonia countered. ‘In case that could be seen as an admission of guilt?’

‘Good idea,’ Jessica said. ‘Thank goodness for you.’ She ended the call. ‘Never work with rich people or animals,’ she told her sisters.

‘That’s a bit rude,’ Norah said. ‘To animals.’

‘What was that about?’ Alicia asked.

Jessica shrugged. ‘Nothing I haven’t dealt with before.’ Her cheeks were pink.

‘Pills, eh?’ Norah said. ‘I remember when people used to steal jewellery.’

‘I didn’t steal anything!’

‘I know, I know,’ Norah said. ‘I’m just saying, if youdidwant to steal, go for cash. The safes are always behind paintings in those big houses. At least, that’s where they are in the movies.’

Norah trailed off when her phone beeped. Looking at the screen, she saw it was Kevin.

Loved that photo.

Norah rolled her eyes. Of coursehe loved it. Who wouldn’t? Meanwhile, she had a list of odd jobs still to be done. He sent another message.

How ’bout another one?

The audacity, Norah thought. For a broken nose? He should count himself lucky he didn’t end up with two broken legs.

‘Who’s texting you?’ Jessica asked.

‘The man I went on a date with yesterday.’

‘Ooh,’ Jessica said. ‘Must have gone well if he’s texting?’

Alicia spun around. ‘Let’s see a picture.’

Norah pulled up his profile pic and handed Alicia her phone.

‘Is this him?’ She sounded appalled. ‘He looks like a chipmunk.’

‘A weasel,’ Norah corrected. ‘And that photo is flattering.’

Alicia shuddered. ‘Gross.’

‘I didn’t expect you to fancy him,’ Norah said defensively, taking her phone back, ‘what with you being a lesbian and all.’

‘She’s bisexual,’ Jessica corrected, perking up. Jessica loved talking about the fact that Alicia was bisexual. She found it exciting. Norah also found it exciting, truth be told. She’d looked forward to the arrival of a sister-in-law, perhaps one with a dog, but so far Alicia had been a very disappointing lesbian-or-bisexual. She’d never even had a girlfriend.