It is Saturday afternoon, and Will and Effie are in the conservatory having a cup of tea. Effie is feeling very relaxed and contented today.
The mood is spoiled by the sound of the doorbell. Effie is disappointed at the interruption – she had just got comfortable – and they weren’t expecting anyone to call. Will promises he will get rid of whoever it is.
Then the door flies open, there is an excited shout of ‘Oh look at YOU, Eithne, you are HUGE!’ –
-and the next thing Effie knows, she has got her arms full of her little sister Niamh.
It is over a year since the sisters last saw each other, although they talk on the phone all the time. Will thinks this would be a good time to make another cup of tea, and give them a little time together. He knows that Effie has missed Niamh so much.
Effie is too surprised to say much, but Niamh is never short of something to say. She is so pleased with herself – she has come over from Ireland all on her own! Now she is nearly eighteen, her mum has decided Niamh is old enough to look after herself, and is moving to Spain with her new boyfriend. So Niamh has decided now is the time to move near to her brother and sister. She is going to stay with Daniel – well, he doesn’t know yet, but she’s sure he won’t mind. And she was so upset to miss the wedding, but she is so glad she will be here in time for the twins’ arrival, she is looking forward so much to being an aunt!
Effie is shocked at her mother going off and leaving Niamh, and concerned that Niamh hasn’t mentioned any of this in their phone calls. But Niamh didn’t want Effie to worry about it, and anyway she’s sorted it out for herself now! Niamh doesn’t get as hurt by their mother as Effie. Besides, she has wanted to be nearer Effie and Daniel for so long, she can’t help thinking her mum leaving is a good thing!
Will comes back in with tea – and chocolate biscuits! Just what Niamh needs after her journey. It seems to her that Effie has married the perfect man. He obviously understands what a girl needs.
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