I made myself a sandwich when I got home and then went through the usual routine of shower and change.....just after five Lavendar arrived back and we barely spoke two words as she spent a long time wallowing in the bath before getting dressed.

It was just after six and the venue for our meeting was to be at Terri's home, we decided to walk because I was not sure that she would appreciate the filthy state of my car but it was a nice night and the walk would do us good.

"Don't forget Lavendar........I don't want a slanging match between the two of you, if nothing is mentioned by you then we can let her feel as though you're sorry........I know it's not the right way to go about things but I don't need the ill feeling and neither do you.......If Terri has half the sense I expect then no more will be said, if it is then we cross that bridge when it happens"

When we got to her house I rang the bell and waited....it didn't take long but I saw Terri answer the door and greet us with a wide smile.

"Good Evening Elixir...........Lavendar"

"Thank you"

We entered the house and the first thing I noticed was that Jessica was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is Jessica?"

"I'm sorry but she is running late......school project"

"Which project is this then?"

"Oh something she mentioned about mathematics"

"Damn...they were supposed to wait until tomorrow before handing out the assignment, I only hope they have sorted out the groups"

"Anyway I am sorry but it's just the three of us for now.......have the two of you eaten?"

"We had a light snack before getting ready...why?"

"I made a buffet......olives, tomatoes, cheese, nachos, chicken wings, breadsticks, garlic mushrooms"

"That's lovely Terri...very thoughtful of you"

"Oh it was no trouble, now what about drinks?"

"Well I need to have an early night.....I've been offered an extra day working from tomorrow and I've taken it"

"That's really good and just as well because I've got a medical conference to attend"

I observed as Terri totally ignored Lavendar, but my sister had her eyed focussed on Terri.

"Let's all go into the front room, take some food and drink and hopefully Jessica will be with us"

As it turned out we played a game of trivial pursuits and just relaxed....unfortunately Jessica failed to make an appearance and so Lavendar would have felt like piggy in the middle but due to the nature of the meeting and there only being three of us then Terri kept her affection for me at bay and spent an equal amount of time chatting with the two of us.

At 9.30 and having been soundly beaten and discovering that I knew an awful lot less than I realistically expected to, myself and Lavendar made leave of Terri and trudged home...

"I'm sorry about Jessica.........I don't know why she never made it"

"It's ok.....text me if you find out, just so that I can put my sisters mind at ease".

We kissed and then hugged before I walked down the path and joined my sister, we joined hands and laughed at how the game went, we had both enjoyed the evening entertainment.

**

As soon as Elixir and Lavendar left I sent a text to Jessica asking where she was.....I was still really guilty from last night when I tested Lavendar over how much she cared for my daughter, to be honest I was hoping it was an experiment.

I didn't wait long before the reply and the answer was one that I was dreading...

"Hi mum......sorry I didn't make it but.......it's happened again"