Under Blue Skies {Chapter 10}

Two days later, Lily drove to work with an overnight bag firmly shut and sitting in the boot of her car, and a good feeling about the day. Christian was spending the night with his cousin in Stroud, so Alex had ordered Lily to join her and Jools for a girly night in. Lily’s excitement about the evening and the prospect of seeing Jools meant that the day flew by, and she was still feeling cheerful when the clock hit five that afternoon. Natasha staying in her office throughout the day and not coming out to terrify her workforce only confirmed in Lily’s mind that this was a good day.

As she stepped through Alex’s doorway later that afternoon, Lily was reminded of two things that always came to her mind on occasions such as this. The first thing that Lily remembered was just how much she adored Alex and Christian’s flat. They had done all the interiors themselves when they first moved in, and their harmony and shared sense of style was evident in every detail of the design.

The flat was part of a block of about 20 flats formed out of a renovated factory building. Large sections of uncovered stone wall were interspersed with deep coloured paint over smooth plastering. The lounge was a deep purple, although the stretches of wall were dominated by stonework, and the huge, wall mounted television formed the room’s centrepiece, reflecting the comfy, black leather sofa that stood opposite it. The main bedroom was a fiery red, and the guest bedroom a rich but gentle blue. The bathroom was tiled in glimmering black, and filled with clean lines and elegant glass. Lily loved the dramatism of the design, which was a wonderful echo of Alex’s fiery personality, and the desire to spice things up which Christian shared with all gourmet chefs.

The other thing that Lily always noted was how different Jools and Alex were. Of course, there was no reason why they should be similar, since they weren’t actually related by blood, and they had been brought up by different people until Alex was 12 and Jools was 6, but even so, it would be hard to find two people with less in common. Indeed, the only similarity between them was a powerful, unashamed confidence which they both shared.

The most noticeable difference between the adoptive sisters was in their appearances. Everything about the way Jools looked was in complete contrast to the tall, thin, effortlessly chic Alex; never a long, blonde hair out of place. Jools was short and full-figured; both things she totally didn’t mind, although she hated being a redhead. Her thick, wavy hair was always loosely tied up or clipped back with a cute accessory, which opened up her snub-nosed, freckled face, and her eyes, which were always framed with plenty of eyeliner, and were almost as green and sparkling as Laz’s, although not quite. Jools’ style was mod and fresh. She was always wearing at least one very colourful thing, often more, and generally had on many brightly coloured beads, rings and badges.

When she ran into the lounge to greet Lily that night, Jools was wearing a bright red sundress over black leggings, her hair clipped back on one side with a red bow and a long string of pearls around her neck. Lily and Alex were still dressed from work that day, although the journalism business allowed them such wardrobe freedom you could barely tell. Lily was dressed simply in long, black heeled boots over darkwash skinny jeans and a tailored black jacket over a plain white, fitted t-shirt, whilst Alex was wearing a crisp, white shirt with a lilac pinstripe, tucked into a black tulip skirt.

Jools ran straight up to Lily and flung her arms around her.
“Omigosh Lil, it’s been so long!” She gushed.
Lily giggled “Hey Jools. Yeah, it really has been ages, hasn’t it? How’ve you been?”
“Great!” Jools exclaimed. “Uni is amazing! I love it so much, it’s the best fun ever! How are you?”
Lily grinned. “Oh I’m fine. I’m glad you’re enjoying uni so much. I’ve really missed seeing you!”
“Alex has told me about this guy you’re seeing.” Jools said, grinning at her sister. “He sounds so dreamy!”
Lily blushed. “Yeah, he’s amazing. It’s early days yet, but things are going really well.”
“Early days? You don’t say.” Alex sniggered, putting one arm around Jools’ shoulders and the other around Lily’s and steering them towards the lounge.

A few hours later, after donning pyjamas, grabbing Ben and Jerry’s and cocktails and watching far too many re-run episodes of ‘Sex and the City’, Jools and Alex were curled up on the huge sofa, and Lily was in the adjoining kitchen making them all hot chocolates.
“So, Jools,” she called through to the lounge, “how’s your love life been going? Anyone special I should know about?”
Jools grinned. “Not right now. Although...”
“Here we go...” moaned Alex, jokingly, rolling her eyes.
“Goodness, you haven’t got another one?” Lily breathed, in awe, as she always had been, of Jools’ ability to pick up a different suitor every week.
“Well... maybe.” Jools fluttered her eyelashes and smiled innocently. “We’ll see what happens.”
“Well keep me posted.” Lily ordered, grinning.
“Right girls,” Alex interjected, “I think we need Carrie.”The trio snuggled down into the sofa and poured fresh cocktails as the ‘Sex and the City’ titles ran for the millionth time.