Blueberry Wishes Read Online Free PDF Page B

figures behind us, and perhaps an endorsement or two, I want to approach some bigger stores,” said Dad. “Liberty has a reputation for showcasing small, artisan suppliers, and Selfridges—”
    â€œWhat? You mean the massive one…on Oxford Street?” I gasped, staring at the phone with my eyes goggling out.
    Dad laughed. “Yeah, Abs, I mean the blooming great giant one. Think BIG, girls!”
    Us three got really giggly and over the top then, thinking that we could end up with this massively famous beauty brand. And that’s when Mum finally spoke. “Well done, Al,” she said simply.
    â€œKim?” stuttered Dad, sounding a bit startled. “I didn’t realize you were there. I hope you don’t think I’m interfering. All these things are just ideas…” He trailed off, probably waiting for Mum to give him an earful about how it was our business and he could keep his lying, cheating hands off it. We were all waiting for it too.
    But actually, she just said, “Not at all. You’re doing good work.” We all stared at her as if she’d been replaced by someone else. Then she pursed her lips and added, “If only you’d been this proactive when your own business was on the ropes, instead of burying your head in the sand and going off with that bimbo , perhaps—” There, that was more like it.
    I gave her a sharp look and she stopped herself, probably remembering how she’d upset Grace before. She sighed. “Look, Al, just go for it, that’s what I’m saying,” she finished.
    â€œRight. Thanks. Great. I will, then,” said Dad, sounding bewildered, but pleased.
    â€œDad, I could really do with coming up to see you soon,” said Grace. “We need to go over all this web stuff face-to-face.”
    â€œAnd I’d like to go through our new core range with you when we’ve got it sorted,” I added, jumping in. “Make sure you’re up to speed for pitches.”
    â€œIf you two are going to London, I’m coming,” Saff told us. “I haven’t seen my mates since we moved down here.”
    â€œHang on!” cried Mum. “ No one is going to London. It’d have to be a weekend because of school and college, and I really need all of you at Rainbow Beauty on Saturdays, especially you, Saff – you’ve got clients booked in.”
    â€œOh, come on, Kim, it’s one day,” Dad grumbled. “I’m desperate to see my girls.”
    I cringed, waiting for Mum to go mad. But instead she took a deep breath and said, “They’d have to go up on Saturday and come back Sunday, so it’d be a whole weekend, actually , Al. And I’ll be really rushed off my feet here as it is.”
    We all gave her pleading, puppy-dog looks.
    â€œOh, please, Mum,” said Saff. “We haven’t seen Dad for ages.”
    Dad, sensibly, was silent.
    Mum sighed. “Look, I’m not trying to come between you girls and your dad,” she said. “And it’s true that you need to sort the online side of things out together, Grace. I suppose you can all go up on the early coach this Saturday. I’ll manage – it’s only for one day. You’ll need to ask Emily to cover for you on the manicure side, Saff. I can’t pay her much, though.” Saff had met Emily at the college open day and they were about to start the beauty course together.
    Saff leaped onto her, squealing, “Thanks, Mum! You’re a legend! And Emily won’t want any money – she’s just desperate for more experience.”
    Grace looked really pleased too, but I felt torn. I didn’t want to leave Mum on her own, but I was desperate to see Dad. I just missed him so much. I always have, ever since he left, even though I was angry with him every single day at first (and I still am a lot of the time). I turned to Mum, about to say that I wouldn’t go, but