They arrived at Ruby’s, welcomed by her screams of joy as she opened the door. Poppy stood behind her, a little bewildered, even though she had already met Ava.
‘Get the wine open. I am gasping.’ Eliza handed Ruby the bottle she’d bought along. ‘Hey, Poppy. How was school today?’
‘It was good. We learned about the suffragettes.’
Poppy followed behind Eliza, chatting away, and Ruby rolled her eyes.
‘I remember being enthusiastic like Poppy during primary school. How it changed the minute I moved up to secondary school.’
‘Yes, funny how as a child learning is fun, but as a teenager it seems such a drag.’ Ava smiled.
Ruby showed them through to the living room.
‘Wow, you have such a flair,’ Ava cried, feasting her eyes on the riot of colour, like some of the bead creations Ruby made in her cabin. A yellow settee, with pink and purple cushions, and a large, deep-blue rug over a wooden floor. There was a photo of Sapphire Lake above the fireplace, and framed photos of Poppy on every wall. It all fitted together so homely.
‘Thanks.’ Ruby beamed. ‘I sometimes think its OTT, but then I think that’s me in general.’
‘Well, I doubt I’ll want to leave at the end of the evening.’
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Once they were seated, a wine glass apiece, and Poppy had spent ten minutes filling them in about her busy school life, Ruby made sure Poppy was settled in her bed.
Eliza took the opportunity to start their previous conversation again. ‘What would you do if you weren’t working in PR, Ava?’
Ava’s eyes narrowed. ‘Have you been talking to Jack?’
‘No, I’m just curious. I never knew my brother had ambitions to be an author until he showed me the manuscript he’d written. I was gobsmacked, both by how good it was and by how he’d kept it to himself.’
‘He’s doing so well. I am in awe of his work.’
‘But you’re such a fantastic photographer,’ Ruby joined in when she stepped back into the room. ‘Haven’t you ever wanted to freelance?’
‘Jack says you’re wasted working for someone else,’ Eliza added.
‘Youhavebeen talking to him.’ Ava stared at her pointedly. ‘I suppose I’d like to, but I’m always scared to try.’
‘Why?’
‘Maybe my age. I’m too old to start thinking of my own business.’
‘That’s nuts,’ Ruby cried. ‘You’re barely a pup.’
‘I mean, there is so much to learn, and having to do it all myself seems a tad overwhelming. I might be great at the creative side of things, but I don’t have a clue how to run a business.’
‘You’re making up excuses.’
‘I know.’ Ava looked at Eliza then, hoping to change the conversation over to her. ‘But we were talking earlier about you. You weren’t too sure if you wanted to stay at the hotel?’
‘Oh, I don’t know.’ Eliza sighed. ‘I assumed I’d be there as general manager forever.’
‘It’s not a bad position to be in.’
‘Granted, but it’s so samey.’
‘Maybe you should follow the advice that you dish out then, and go for your dreams,’ Ruby said. ‘There’s always compromises to be made. Why don’t you talk to your parents about it?’
‘Because anything to do with Dan isn’t allowed to be talked over.’
