24
It had taken days to get Rachel to agree to go on a picnic. Esther had only succeeded after she’d recruited Gran to urge Rachel to make the effort.
Now Rachel was seated in the exact spot Esther wanted her, at a picnic table with her back to the car park.
The car Esther had been waiting for pulled in. Punctuality from that quarter had never been in doubt.
“What’s the special occasion?” Blanche said as she walked towards them. “And who’s your friend?”
Rachel went rigid, her eyes wide.
Esther’s stomach clenched. She’d been convinced this was the right way to do things. Neutral ground with no one around.
Rachel still hadn’t moved. Blanche walked around to stand near Esther. She looked towards Rachel, but Rachel had her head down. She was trembling.
“Good morning,” Blanche said, pol
