The last week of the school break was spent back in Portland at the guest house with Veda. Wren was spending quality time with Cam and Olympia. I was on a mission to get Veda settled and prepared for the new school year, and have her feeling confident in her fresh start.

I had decided with some guidance from those around me, that telling Veda about our mother being alive at a time of great emotional and physical upheaval for her, was a bad idea. It wasn't as if Millie wanted her, or came to save her from orphanhood. Millie didn't give two hoots. I was adamant though, that I would tell her, when she was more settled, and when she knew I wasn't going anywhere. I needed her to be confident in me first. I needed her to feel she could trust me, and that she would be safe in her reaction to this news, and I would stand by her and hold her as she felt it. Whatever it may be. Perhaps then she could understand a little better, without it destroying her confidence or her self worth. I didn't want Vedas teenage years to continue on being disturbed and destroyed by her parents poor decisions. If my one job was to get Veda to adulthood unscathed mentally and physically from any more adult trauma, than I would achieve just that. After all, Moira Dawson raised an over achiever in all things, other than domestic duties.

"What time is the Pool Party?" Came Vedas croaky half asleep voice. She padded into the living area in an oversized band t shirt and bed shorts, rubbing at her tired eyes. She was hours from being fifteen and yet I could picture her as a five year old looking quite the same with those big brown eyes and cute little tired face.

I sat criss cross apple sauce at my desk, looking back to my computer and typing away. "Pool party starts at Eleven. We will be fashionably late. You sleep like a bear in winter" I accused.

She looked over my shoulder and clocked the time on the computer screen "It's Ten thirty" she noted anxiously "why didn't you wake me up"

I lifted the coffee that had gone tepid and lifted it to my lips, taking a large gulp. "Just like a bear, you tend to bite when poked. Anyway..." I say turning to her beside me "I had a few admin jobs to complete first. Wren said it's casual. No rush"

She rolled her eyes "Millie....I'm not being late for this party. Josie got me a cake for my birthday and everything"

I took another sip and gestured to her "I'm not the one stood here in pyjamas" I remind her "I'm all set to go"

She gives me a once over "You don't look ready" she accuses.

"My swimsuit is on under my clothes" I throw back.

"Are you trying to attract Wren or repulse her" she asked, sticking her finger under the shoulder strap of the all in one black swimsuit and letting it snap back against my skin.

"Ouch" I squeak. "Not nice M J"

"Whose MJ" she asked.

"No one" I lie. Ahem *cough* Moira Junior.

"I suggest you put on a two piece with not a lot of fabric, and act like a twenty something if you want to attract the hottie you desire... or it's the  middle aged lesbians in home depo wearing the crocks with socks for you"

She turned to head back to her room and left me looking at myself with a more critical eye. I had thought the black all in one was cute. Clearly not.

She walked away in a huff, a strut I had come to recognise. She wouldn't be mad for long. Harper and Teddy were turning their end of summer pool party into a fifteenth birthday party for Veda. Nobody quite felt like a party since Mary passed away, and this was a good excuse to keep it on and all try and smile again. Mary would want us to continue on and celebrate.

I had not long received a picture from Wren of the balloons and decorations out on the patio. The Nomikos yard was expansive, and it was the perfect spot for a party. Willa told me they had many party's at that house over the years, it had even fit two separate party events on Wrens sixteenth birthday. New years for the adults, and A sweet sixteen for the teenagers. The family had really come together to support me in making this a special one for Veda. I tried to reach out to find her brother, our brother, Daniel, but I hadn't had any luck so far. I had been hoping I could invite him.

I turn back to the computer and place down my mug. Talking of half siblings, I had been trying to compose an email to my half brother Jason on my fathers side, for the last few days. I had cashed our fathers cheque, but I still didn't feel great about it, without meeting them first. It felt like I had cashed in my father himself, and I knew until I sat down and heard his side from them, as to why he wanted me to have it, it wouldn't feel like I deserved it or should indeed spend it.

Veda however, as teenagers do, wanted to spend it as soon as she discovered it in my purse the day I picked her up and returned her home to the guest house, from Harper and Teddy's.

"I'm about to be fifteen Millie. I need a pair of Loui's. I found the perfect ones" she declared excitedly as she thrust her new cell under my nose. They were five inch black patent leather heels that I would die for.

"Veda, these are eight hundred dollars" I observe wide eyed.

"Small change now Mills" she had said with a smile as she retracted her arm and kept swiping on her phone. "I kinda wish we weren't half siblings, now that I know your dad was loaded"

She said it as a joke, but the cheeky smile disappears from her lips far too soon, and I observe the sadness there behind it. She didn't talk a lot about her dad, but he was the only parent she ever knew... so I know she missed him.

I had taken her yesterday into the city, and let her loose in a department store with my credit card. Kate and I had grabbed lunch and waited for her right outside.

"She's gonna max that out in fifteen minutes" Kate warned me.

I rolled my eyes like it was ridiculous, but an hour later and Veda returned with three bags on each arm and an expression that read "oops"

She sat down between us and slipped the plastic back into my purse. "Might wanna actually extend the credit limit Mills. Now you are almost a millionaire"

"Maxed it out didn't ya" Kate asked as she slurped on a straw of strawberry milkshake.

Veda smiled coyly and opened her bag for Kate to inspect "got some epic threads for school though"

Kate oohed and ahh'd as she held up and inspected the clothes appreciatively. The second bag had two sneakers boxes in. "New Nikeys" I gasped as I took out the limited edition white air force ones, with the black tick, mandarin sides and purple heels. The bright green leather the laces spring from made me fear the price tag. These were not your everyday sneakers. "Veda these are..."

"Lush" Kate finished, taking them from my hands eagerly and stroking them. "Do they have any more" she asked Veda.

Veda smiled, relieved that Kate was the type of girl who hyped up your shopping finds and reinforced that you absolutely needed it all. Unlike me,  the sister who was mentally pricing it all up and wondering if I could sneakily take anything back.

"They have a five and a four left" Veda told her.

Kate never jumped up from her seat quicker "be right back" she called as she disappeared into the department store. "Need new gym shoes"

Veda packed everything back away and took some fries from my plate as we sat and waited for Kate to return.

"Does Kate actually go to the gym" she asked.

I took a fry, we both ate them mindlessly side by side as we looked to the store entrance "I mean... in her head, yes. Physically step over its threshold though, I'm yet to bear witness to it"

Veda nodded and we went back to watching the store front for the green eyed, and bubbly sunshine smile, of Katherine. I found myself looking at our reflection, on the part of the window that wasn't dressed. I looked sideways to Veda and my lips lifted slightly. We were sat the exact same way, leant back, arms folded across our chests and right leg thrown over the other. I had rushed out the door this morning and thrown on a white t shirt with a dark jacket and dark denim jeans rolled up at the ankle. Veda was similar, but instead of the dark jacket she had a black hoodie tied around her waist. My jacket was placed on the back of my chair, so we were both sat in white t shirts and denim jeans with white sneakers. I admired her braided dark hair, and her pinked cheeks from the shopping exertion, and looked back in the direction of the store.

"Stop staring at me" she accused "it's weird"

I laughed and looked back to her "I was just thinking it was nice to have a sister" I begin. "But then you open your mouth and I get over it"

She poked me in the arm, and took out her cell again. "Oooh Josie says she went back to school shopping today too. She said she's got me a cake coming for Saturday"

"She's a good kid" I agree. "I hope you guys stay friends once school starts. She would be a good friend to have on your side"

Veda types back and nods "why wouldn't we stay friends" she asked, offended.

It was quite true, Veda and Josephine would of course stay friends. They had bonded so quickly that Vedas phone was constantly pressed to her ear as they conversed all day and night. I had been wise to buy her the ultimate phone plan. No surprise bills.

***

With Veda finally dressed, and me changed into a more age appropriate swimwear two piece, we headed out to the pool party. Veda was done up to the nines, a little purple bikini top covered up by a bright white tank and denim shorts. Her new Nikes went perfectly with her bikini I noted. I hadn't ever seen her with full make up, but she looked beautiful. I thought she looked beautiful with her natural look too, her freckles were too sweet, and they were now covered up by foundation.

Wren phoned us on the way. The loud speaker allowed her voice to fill the car.

"Agapi mou" she greeted.

"Hey babe" I returned. "How's the party going. We are on the way"

"It's...going" she said a little exasperated.

"Uh oh" I returned "what's happening"

"Cam brought Camilla..." she explained "and Olympia is ... sucking Daisy's face off in the pool so she doesn't have to make eye contact with either of them"

"Fun" I say, trying not to laugh.

"Nobody knew O was even a little queer until that moment... and now we are all very aware. Mama is trying to refrain from throwing a towel over them. She's never been one for PDA. We all love Daisy though, she's a sweetheart"

"And Camilla... what's she like" I ask.

"I don't know how to explain her without sounding like I hate her"

Her tone makes me laugh "Baby, play nice"

"I am" she argues "Millie... I swear I am. She's just..."

"Stuck up her own ass" Veda finishes.

"You met her" both Wren and I ask at once.

"Mmhhmm" Veda confirms. "Josie and I ran into them at the diner on Tuesday... before you picked me up"

"And she's stuck up" I ask, intrigued to know more.

Veda nods "yup... Josie didn't like her either"

Wren gasps "Josephine likes everyone"

"Well Camilla can break a bitch" Veda cursed.

"Language" I remind her.

"She looked at us like we were shit on her shoe" Veda tells us "She covered it up with a fake smile when Cam looked at her. Then she hurried Cam out the door"

"That doesn't sound promising" I note.

"We have to like her" Wren resolves "so let's all try collectively to embrace Camilla... for Cameron"

"Okay" Veda sighs, not sounding confident.

"For Cameron" I agree. "Be with you in forty minutes. Save us two loungers by the pool. Love you"

"Love you too" Wren replied, her tone sweet and adorable.

"You two need to take this off the speaker" Veda begged "before I'm scarred for life"

Wren and I laughed.

"See you soon" I said again, before clicking off.