Blueberry Wishes by Kelly McKain Page A

actually commissioning me to come up with a men’s shower gel. We burst in at about nine, brimming with chatter, only to find Mum sitting at the kitchen table, staring into space, looking ragged with exhaustion.
    â€œI knew I should have stayed to help you,” I cried.
    â€œDon’t be silly, love,” she said. “I’m just tired, that’s all. I’m glad you went. Now, tell me everything.”
    Grace started talking through our new orders and what Massimo had said, and Saff asked if there was any supper going.
    â€œOh, I haven’t even thought about eating,” Mum said. “Sorry, girls. I don’t have anything in. I could probably rustle up a bit of cheese on toast…”
    â€œYou stay there,” I told her. “Saff can get it.”
    â€œOh, yeah. Saff can get it!” my sister grumbled, opening the fridge anyway. “Saff who’s been busy all day, looking fabulous and being irresistible to boys! I’m the one who’s exhausted.”
    Mum barely smiled at that, and then only nodded along as Grace told her about the shower gel costings. Although my sisters seemed to have taken it at face value that she was just tired, I started to get an uneasy feeling. For a start, she looked all pale and trembly, and like she was about to burst into tears at any minute.
    â€œMum, if something was up, you’d tell us, wouldn’t you?” I said.
    She sighed deeply and tears sprang into her eyes. “Oh, Abbie…I was hoping to keep it to myself until tomorrow at least, but…I saw this today.”
    She pushed the local free paper towards me. It was folded over at a full-page advert for the Haven Spa. “Half-price body treatments, plus free manicure,” I read, and nearly choked with shock.
    Saff gasped. “They’ve copied our promotion, pretty much!” she cried. “Right, this is war! Let’s match their offer. No, let’s better it! That will show them where they can stick their—”
    â€œWe can’t afford to,” Grace cut in.
    â€œAnyway, they’ve done a price promise,” I said, handing the paper across to her. “Just to make sure we can never compete with them on that score. Look.”
    Saff read, “ We pledge to match or better the prices of treatments and the promotional offers of any other beauty establishment within a three-mile radius. They’re talking about us ! This is a direct attack!” she cried. “We need to go down there, Mum. Have a word with them. They can’t do this!”
    Mum sighed. “I understand how you feel, love,” she said, “but technically they haven’t done anything wrong. They’re just promoting their business.”
    Saff sighed sharply and was about to say something else when Mum added, “And we’ll just look silly if we go and fling accusations about. Promise me you’ll stay well away from there.”
    Saff didn’t answer for ages, but Mum kept eyeballing her until she huffed, “Fine. I promise.” But she didn’t look at all pleased about it.
    â€œThe paper came out on Thursday, so that explains what happened,” Mum said then.
    â€œWhat? What happened?” Grace demanded.
    Mum sighed. “Things went very quiet on the offer front on Thursday afternoon and it was the same on Friday. I didn’t say anything to you girls, because I thought it was just a lull, and that lots of people would walk in without booking. But they didn’t.”
    â€œBut you said things had been fine!” I cried. “I asked you, both nights, and you said!”
    â€œWhy didn’t you tell us?” Grace murmured.
    â€œI would have, but I didn’t think there was anything to worry about,” Mum insisted. “I thought I’d have a busy Saturday, with Emily rushed off her feet doing the free manicures, and everything would be fine. But only one more lady rang up to book in on