Startled,
I lifted my head to see Debbie dash across the now-empty café to greet a woman
standing on the doormat. I knew immediately that the woman was not a regular
‘Well, this is it. What do you think?’ Debbie replied, lifting her shoulders in a self-deprecating shrug.
Linda looked around, briskly surveying the café’s interior. ‘Very nice, Debs,’ she nodded approvingly. ‘I like it. Homely.’
Debbie glanced over Linda’s shoulder at the door. ‘Where’s Ray? Are you both up from London for the day?’ she asked.
‘No, no, Ray’s not here,’ Linda replied, in a tone that made Debbie look twice at her. ‘I’m allowed to visit my sister on my own, aren’t I?’ Linda asked, a touch defensively.
‘Of course you are,’ Debbie gushed, ‘I’m just surprised to see you, that’s all. Why didn’t you let me know you were coming?’
‘It was a spur-of-the-moment thing,’ Linda answered airily. ‘I just thought it’s about time I made the effort to come out here and see you – and Sophie, of course.’
‘Come on, let me get you something to eat.’ Debbie said, pulling out a chair and motioning Linda to sit down.
Linda shrugged off her gilet to reveal a clingy pink top and numerous necklaces draped around her neck. She picked up a menu card while Debbie stood beside her, patiently attentive. ‘Feline Fancy; Frosty Paws Cake Pop; Cat’s Whiskers Cookie – it all sounds delicious, Debs,’ she murmured, while Debbie beamed with pride. Linda perused the menu with a look of tortured indecision, before announcing, ‘I’ll have a Feline Fancy and a pot of Earl Grey tea, please.’
As Debbie bustled around the wooden serving counter and into the kitchen, a beeping sound issued from the bag by Linda’s feet. Frowning, she leant over, plucked a mobile phone from inside and began to tap rapidly on its screen. While she typed, I studied her from the window cushion, looking for signs of resemblance between the sisters. Everything about Linda’s immaculately groomed presentation seemed at odds with Debbie’s casual style, from the lacquered nails to her figure-hugging clothes and coiffured hair. I tried to imagine how Debbie might look if she put a similar amount of effort into her appearance, but my mind drew a blank. For as long as I had known her, Debbie had always prioritized comfort over glamour. On the few occasions she had attempted a more polished look, the episodes had ended with her slumped in front of the full-length mirror in her bedroom, staring at her reflection in despair. ‘Oh, what’s the point?’ she had sighed, before tying her hair back in its customary ponytail and pulling on an old sweater.
Cheered by the last-minute arrival of a customer, my son Eddie padded over to Linda’s chair to sit expectantly at her feet, hoping to charm her for titbits. Linda was unaware of his presence, however, and continued to scowl as she scrolled across the phone’s screen with her thumb. Eddie, ever optimistic, raised a paw and patted gently at the leather tassel on her boot, making Linda jump in surprise.
‘Oh, hello, Puss,’ she murmured distractedly, leaning sideways to peer down at him.
Eddie
gazed beseechingly at her, but Linda’s heavily made-up face remained blank. I
exhaled impatiently through my nose. This lady, I knew with absolute certainty,
was
A
few minutes later Debbie emerged from the kitchen, holding a tray. ‘Here you
go. One Feline Fancy and a pot of Earl Grey.
‘Oh,
I’m not in a hurry at all – dinner would be lovely. I’ve . . . got a lot to
tell you,’ Linda replied, before taking a bite of her Feline Fancy. ‘Oh, my
God, Debs, this is
A flicker of alarm crossed Debbie’s face. ‘Is everything alright?’ she asked, a faint note of concern in her voice.