‘When will Charlie be back?’
Why were they suddenly talking about Charlie? This wasn’t what she’d expected, an inquisition. It caught her off guard. ‘A couple of months . . . when she’s well.’
‘So, she’s sick?’
Damn, there was no denying it now. The implication of her words had been plain. Sam nodded miserably. Her first real slip. ‘Where’s the shame in that?’ asked Drew, sounding puzzled. ‘Why all the secrecy?’
‘Charlie doesn’t want people feeling sorry for her.’ Sam was just making it worse. The charm of the evening was fast evaporating. She was stuffing it all up. ‘I’m sorry. I’d rather not talk about my sister.’
But Drew wasn’t about to let it drop. ‘That’s Charlie for you. Too much pride in one direction, and not enough in another.’
Sam experienced a tight twinge of envy. She h
