Silent Victim(74)

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.