'But I do not love Roxy', I said. 'I see her only as a sister... the sister I never had!'

'And who is responsible for that as well?' she flared up again. 'The Merryweapthers of course!'

I looked sad. I had been so happy at the birthday party with Iris. I had thought that sunshine had finally come into my life but that was not to be because of a useless enmity between our families and a useless promise I made. Mum was still my mother and I wanted to make her happy. I already made the vow and I ...