Kate took a long sip, trying to gauge what her sister was implying. “Well, I haven’t spoken to her in three days,” Kate said shortly.

“I used to be jealous of Tilly,” Beccy said, absentminded. “It was always Tilly this and Tilly that. I thought you liked her more than you liked me and I could just never figure out why. Before Mum sent me to St. Joan’s, Tilly was always this elusive character to me.”

Eyes on the paper, Kate scoffed. “Don’t worry, she’s elusive to me too,” she mumbled.

At the comment, Beccy’s gaze burned into her for a moment. Feigning easiness, Beccy reached for the miniature toy doll from the Happy Meal. Fiddling with it, she plaited the blue synthetic hair. “Tilly’s whole religious thing starting to take a toll?”

Kate’s eyes snapped up to meet her sister’s. “No. I’ve never complained about the fact that Tilly’s religious.”

“You used to. When we were kids, I mean.”

“No, I didn’t.”

Beccy lowered the doll to the takeaway tray. “You did. All the time. It pissed you off that she always had to be at Sunday mass and couldn’t stay over because of it. You bitched about it nonstop.”

“Whatever. I didn’t.” She hadn’t. She’d remember that…wouldn’t she? “It doesn’t bother me that she’s religious.”

“So what is bothering you?”

Kate looked up and met her sister’s gaze. So Beccy was fishing.

“Aunty Kate! Mum!”

They turned at the muffled call, at the incessant knocking. With her face pressed against the convexed fiberglass window at the end of the highest tunnel, Karlie waved for attention. Kate’s heart pounded as she waved back, trying to anticipate what Beccy would say when Karlie crawled back through the tunnel.

When Karlie was off again, Beccy turned in her seat. “What is it?”

Kate looked across the patio to the garden bed. “I don’t know if I want to tell you.”

“Tell me.”

Kate hesitated.

“Tell me.”

“We’ve been…”

“You been what?”

Kate rested her chin on her palm. For a long moment, she stared at her sister. “We slept together.”

Beccy’s eyes widened. “Tilly? You slept with Tilly? Are you serious? She looks about as straight as an arrow.” She sat forward. “Was this in Melbourne?”

Kate shook her head. “No. After that. We missed the last ferry one night and we had to stay at the cabins and…” Kate stopped herself. “It just happened.”

“She’s engaged.”

“You think I don’t know that?”

“And she’s like…she’s Tilly. She was going to be a nun.”

“Yes. I’m well aware.”

“Shit, Kate.” Beccy paused. “What was she like?”

Kate’s eyes narrowed. “What the hell do you mean?”

Smirking, Beccy leaned back in her chair. “I’m sorry, I just didn’t think her legs opened up.”

Irritation coursed through her. “Don’t be crass.” She swallowed, her mouth growing dry. “Don’t make it crass,” she said, voice hoarse. “It wasn’t like that.”

“But she let you…do that?”

Kate scowled. “Let me? What do you mean she let me? I didn’t talk her into anything.”