CARMEN WENT AND lay down on Sofia’s bed, banging her head into the many differently shaped tidy pillows Sofia mystifyingly took off and replaced on the bed every single night and morning.

“You could have gone,” said Sofia rubbing in face cream. “You don’t have to be in love with him, do you?”

Carmen gave her a look.

“What?”

“You never cease to surprise me,” said Carmen, finally drinking a pint of water, barely stopping, gasping at how cold it was.

“I know, but how long has it been?”

“He called the children brats!”

“They were being absolutely fucking brats!” said Sofia. Then she burst out laughing. “Oh my God, I can’t believe I just said that. Oh my God.”

“Did you drink some of that Champagne on the sly?”

“I very much did not do that,” said Sofia, laughing. She looked at Carmen with uncharacteristic softness. “I think it’s having you here.”

“What, not getting laid and packing the dishwasher wrong?”

“Something along those lines,” she said. “I think you’re good for me, Carmen.”

Carmen looked up, surprised. “Thanks,” she mumbled, finding it hard to look Sofia in the eye. Then she paused. “I’m having a good time too.”

“Even with me being a dishwasher fiend?”

“Yes,” said Carmen. “And the children aren’t brats. They’re wonderful.”

There was a very quiet noise from downstairs. The sisters looked at each other.

“It couldn’t be,” said Carmen, quicker off the mark.

“What? What?” said Sofia. But Carmen was already heading up to the big windows looking over the street. Sure enough, the cab had circled around and come back—and there was Skylar, her long blond hair tipping down her back, dashing up and hopping in.

“COME ON—IT’S funny,” Sofia was saying.

“I know,” said Carmen. “But it’s just been so long. And I liked . . .”

“What?” said Sofia.

“No, it’s stupid.”

“What?”

“Well, I . . . I liked the idea. I mean, everyone is so sorted and well-off and has nice houses, and I’m completely stuck. It was . . . it was fun. The idea of it. Going to fancy places and being treated well.”

“Being treated well by people who aren’t him.”

“Yeah yeah yeah, I know, I know. It’s all right for you, sleeping upstairs.”

“Do you want to sleep in the spare room?”

“No, thank you,” said Carmen carefully. “I already stained the downstairs sink with hair dye.”

Sofia heaved herself up with a sigh.

“Need a hand?”

“No, I’m okay, thanks.”

“She’d better be back in the morning,” said Carmen, slugging more water. “I’m not getting up for the kids.”

“And I won’t be able to,” agreed Sofia.

Chapter Twenty-Three

It was actually worse than that. Skylar was back by the time Carmen got up, feeding the children porridge with natural honey at the table and looking as fresh as a daisy.