‘Storm Jessie’s in full flow. I reckon we’ll lose a few roof tiles tonight,’ Theresa said, her eyes dancing around the room. She carried the same nervous look that accompanied every visit, but I could not think about that now.
I shrugged, the weather the least of my concerns. The house seemed so cold and unwelcoming without Alex here to light the fire and stir some warmth into the place. I unwound the silk scarf from around my neck and hung my coat on the back of the kitchen door.
Theresa caught my glance. ‘Why don’t you sit down. I’ll rustle us up some supper.’
‘You’re my guest, I should be doing the cooking,’ I said half-heartedly.
‘I’ll end up eating lettuce leaves if that’s the case,’ Theresa said. ‘Sit yourself down.’
‘Thanks,’ I said, pulling the latch tight on the kitchen window as memories of Luke’s face filtered in. Soon a pot of chicken soup bubbled on the stove, something Theresa had concocted from the leftovers in our fridge.
I took two bowls from the cupboard and laid them on the table. ‘Alex is right. A fresh start is just what we need,’ I said. I had to think positively. I would go to Leeds and win back my husband’s trust. I would book myself into a clinic if I had to, as long as I was close to my family. I slipped two soup spoons from the drawer and placed them beside the ceramic bowls.
Theresa’s face took on a serious aspect. Taking the bread knife from the block, she began slicing the tiger loaf she had bought on the way over. ‘I’m going to miss you when you’re gone.’ Her face grew more serious as she sawed at the bread. ‘I always seem to end up the one that gets left behind.’
There was a depth of emotion behind her words. I knew she felt she had been given a raw deal.
I poured the soup, waiting for her to join me. ‘There’s something I wanted to tell you. I’d been waiting for it to be finalised, but now seems like a good time.’ I looked over my shoulder. ‘Come, sit,’ I said. ‘It’s good news. I’ve cut you into the business.’
Dropping the knife, Theresa carried the bread from the counter to the table. ‘I don’t understand,’ she said, her face pale.
‘Dad should never have cut you out of the will. My inheritance – I spent it on the business in the hope that it would grow so we could split it one day.’ A smile broadened my lips as I relayed the good news. ‘I’ve signed over fifty per cent to you. I’ve easily enough money to start another shop in Leeds. The Colchester branch is yours to run. I’ve had the papers drawn up. You can rent your flat to Josh if you like, give yourself a pay rise and buy a house of your own.’
‘I . . . I don’t know what to say,’ she said, her mouth falling open.
‘You don’t have to say anything. It’s yours.’ Dad’s legacy had left a bitter aftertaste, and I was relieved to be able to put things right. The fact that Theresa was my half-sister was never discussed – she was only a baby when Dad took her and Mum in. But it had obviously been a deep-rooted issue for him, and I wondered if that was why she had left home at such a young age. As a child, I was too wrapped up in myself to notice, but now I wondered, had she felt like an outsider all along?’
I sipped a spoonful of soup in silence. This was not the reaction I expected. The back door rattled on its hinges. Outside, the storm had taken hold. Usually I would be figuring out how I was going to expunge myself of calories, but I could see Theresa’s thoughts were troubled, and I leaned across the table, touching her hand. ‘Sis,’ I said, flinching as she withdrew. ‘What’s wrong? I thought you’d be pleased.’
‘I don’t deserve it,’ she said. Her eyes reached mine, but they were cold and troubled. ‘I’m sorry, I can’t accept your gift.’
My heart flickered in reaction to the intensity of her gaze. It was as if a mask had dropped from her face, and her true expression was revealed. I clasped my hands together, the fingers of my right hand touching my wedding ring on the left. Suddenly I felt very alone.
Theresa cleared away the bowls, even though I had barely touched a drop. There was no coaxing me to eat tonight. No gentle words.
‘Dad cut me out of the will for a reason. I don’t deserve anything from you.’
I winced as she gathered up the dishes and cutlery from the side and threw it all in the sink. Pots, pans, everything went in, and I pressed my palms against the table to rise. ‘We’re some family, aren’t we?’ She emitted a humourless laugh. ‘Some people have skeletons in their closet. Ours has a whole graveyard.’
‘I don’t understand,’ I said, feeling bewildered. But she barely heard my words as she mumbled under her breath.
‘I thought things would improve after you left, that maybe you didn’t need to know. God knows, you and Alex have enough troubles of your own.’
I rose from the table, watching her hang her head as I rested my hand on her shoulder. ‘Sis, what is it? What’s wrong?’
She swallowed, and her face seemed pained as she faced me. ‘It’s Mum. I know where she is.’
CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE
LUKE
2003
The light of Emma’s bicycle had now been replaced by one of a scooter. The tinny sound of the 50cc engine tore through the night as she drove to the beach hut to meet me. I had only half expected her to come. It seemed that there were a few kickings left as far as Emma, my little puppy, was concerned. Despite everything I had done, I only had to click my fingers and she would appear. Her phone had been singed in the fire, along with all the things she had stolen from my room. Of course, I knew what she had taken, having made a careful inventory before telling her my house would be empty for the day. It paid to think ahead, and it had worked out beautifully when I had gone to the police and reported the items stolen. That and my concerned chats with my colleagues were enough to convince them that she was at fault. It was fortunate that I had conditioned her to delete her texts, when all I had to show them were insistent requests to meet up from her. Yes, that side of things had worked out very well. I had enjoyed our little games, but now I had needs to be met, and she was becoming a real thorn in my side.
The bike engine extinguished as she parked it around the corner, and minutes later she was at my door. Just like before, she was red faced and flustered, but I sensed something different in her expression this time. Gone was the neediness I had enjoyed feeding off in the past. Tonight her dark eyes regarded me with contempt. That I had not expected.
‘Thanks for coming,’ I said, walking past her to slide the bolt across the beach hut door. ‘We don’t want to be disturbed, given your brush with the law,’ I explained with a half smile. ‘You’ve taken a chance turning up here.’
‘I’ve been waiting to have it out with you for a very long time,’ Emma said, her words low and menacing. ‘I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.’
Gone were the floaty skirts and the tight tops. Her long, slender legs were encased in a pair of flared jeans, a quilt patchwork jacket zipped up over her T-shirt. She’d had quite a transformation since the fire and it wasn’t just her wardrobe. It led me to wonder if I had kicked this puppy for the last time.
‘If you’re looking for burn scars there aren’t any,’ she said, catching my lingering gaze. ‘No thanks to you.’
‘Oh, please,’ I said, narrowing my eyes in a look of disdain. ‘I knew I’d never get rid of you that easily – and besides, you lit the match, not me.’
‘I’m glad my dad found me in time. You weren’t worth dying for. I must have needed my head seeing to, getting tangled up with you. You’re nothing but a predator.’ She gave me a look of unveiled disgust. ‘As if you’re capable of loving anyone but yourself.’
I took a step towards her, closing the gap between us. ‘You couldn’t get enough of me. Remember? On this table, how I hitched up your skirt and—’
‘What did you call me here for?’ she said, taking a step back. She was looking less sure of herself now, her eyes telling me it hadn’t been such a good idea to come here after all.