She’d cleared up last night’s debris, so the kitchen was now refreshed and ready to get dirty all over again, highlighting – if ever it were necessary to do so – the futility of housework. Stevie’s face was flushed beetroot with exertion, making Geri laugh. “I hope that’s just effort and not sunburn.” Stevie padded her way to the sink and gulped down a glass of water, swiftly followed by another. Her hot-socked feet left pristine sweat patches on the grey slate flooring but then disappeared almost as quickly, as if some invisible monster were roaming the kitchen. Geri watched Stevie’s throat pulse as she drank, then grabbed some kitchen towel and mopped her brow. “Too early for sunburn, isn’t it?” Concern stained Stevie’s voice. “I think you’ll be okay,” Geri said. “Although I can’t believe you went for a run without me.” “Sorry – didn’t want to wake you.”
