Flora nodded and walked off to the kitchen. Mack ran to the intercom and buzzed Nikki into the building. She went out the front door and waited for Nikki at the lift.

After about a minute the lift doors opened, and Nikki walked out. “Hi, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, why?”

“Because you never meet me here, and you look like a cat on a hot tin roof. Why are you so tense?”

“It’s Flora’s first time in the flat and the first time meeting family, apart from Isy.”

“I’m not going to eat her, Mack.”

Mack rubbed her forehead. She was feeling tense. “I know. It’s just that she has her difficulties meeting people, and you can be intimidating.”

“I promised you I’d be on my best behaviour. I didn’t even bring a date with me, so there wouldn’t be too many people for her,” Nikki said.

Nikki always brought her woman of the month, but never more than twice.

“She’s very nervous, so just be careful, okay?” Mack said.

“I promise I’ll be good. Now, can we get in and have a drink?”

“Sorry, I just want her to feel safe.” Mack led them to the door. “Imagine you’re talking to an adult Isy.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Mack.”

“Okay.”

Mack opened the door and walked in.

* * *

Flora had been tapping and tapping, waiting on Mack and Nikki coming in. She heard the door open.

This was it.

She hadn’t been too far off when she’d imagined what Nikki looked like. She was powerful looking in a grey trouser suit and a gorgeous ivory silk blouse. Nikki was bloody beautiful.

“Flora, this my cousin, Nikki. Nikki, this is Flora.”

“Nice to meet you, Flora,” Nikki said. “Isla’s talked so much about you. Thanks for making her smile again.”

“She’s a wonderful girl.”

Mack rescued the slight lull in the conversation. “Follow me, and I’ll get some drinks.” Mack poured a large glass of bubbly for Nikki and an orange juice.

Nikki said, “I hear Isla wants to come work for you in her spare time.”

“Yes, I would like that—if it was okay by you, of course,” Flora said.

“Hmm.” Nikki took a sip of her bubbly. “I’ve had to make some decisions about Isla. I contacted a tutoring agency. The school and I think there’s little point in forcing her to go to school every day. So we’re going to try private tutoring for a three month trial period and see how things go. I’m happy for her to help out at the shop, if she keeps up with her lessons.”

“That’s fantastic, Nik,” Mack said. “She’ll be so much happier. Especially with the job at Sweet Surprise. That will give her more confidence.”

There was a buzz at the door, and Mack clapped her hands. “It’s Jay and Annie.”

* * *