Chapter 11
I quickly learned that Sundays were the worst day of the week.
The specialists were off so there were no watersports, no matter how hot the day was.
Maggie and Roger were also off with Abby, who had finagled her time off to coincide with her friends’ prior to signing a contract.
That translated into no dirty-water coffee for me.
Oh, and the dining hall staff was also off—Lazy Breakfast consisted of day-old bakery items and mini boxes of cereal served buffet style outside.
The only redeeming thing about the situation was that sisters could hang out together.
I was standing next to Sam, Zelda’s DL. “Does Zelda ignore Hazel when they see each other during the day?”
“Not that I’ve noticed. Did something happen?”
“I just saw Zelda shoo Hazel away when she went to sit with her, and it just about crushed my soul,” I said.
“From what I can tell, you have two gorgeous daughters who love each other, and a mum who is foolish enough to follow them to camp.”
I loved her Australian accent. “Foolish describes me perfectly.”
Bethany joined us, holding an apple.
“Where did you find a piece of fruit?” Sam asked.
“It’s not what you know but who you know.” Bethany took a crunchy bite. “I saw what happened between your daughters and went to check on Hazel. She was in good spirits and excited about today’s activities. Forget about what you saw earlier. Both of your girls have moved on, and so should you.”
On Sunday night I sat with Bethany and Mindy drinking wine.
Bethany held up her cup. “Makes it all worthwhile, doesn’t it?”
A knock interrupted our conversation.
Mindy yelled, “Come in, no bugs!”
A moth followed Ted and Bob inside.
Mindy jumped out of her chair. “You let Mothra in!” She threw a flip-flop-shaped fly swatter at Bob. “Squish it before I squash you.”
“Alright, alright, calm down.” Bob stepped onto Mindy’s pristine white bed and expertly smashed it.
Mindy got up and smoothed out her duvet. “Now you can have a drink.”
“We come bearing gifts.” Ted pulled a bottle of Tanqueray, tonic, and a couple of limes from his knapsack. “We needed something a bit stronger than the spiked grape juice you serve.”
“It’s been a lifetime since I had a gin it’s a gift to have the pure love of a grandmother. Zelda’s named for mine. She was my favorite person.”
He had a faraway look in his eyes.
“Where are you right now?”
He smiled at me. “Sitting at the kitchen table with my nan. Thank you for bringing her back to me.”
I hesitated, trying to think of something witty to say but what came out was, “You’re welcome.”
I squished the butt and tossed it into the sand bucket, under the fire extinguisher adjacent to the wooden laundry shack.
“It’s getting late. Shall we meet again tomorrow?”
“I’d like that, Teddy,” I said.