Page 3 of Pretty Mess

I feel my eyes grow hot. It’s like they’re destroying her memory. Anger stirs at my brother. This is all his fault.

“So, it’s true,” I say slowly. “I can’t believe this, Cath. Did you know about any of it?”

“No.” She bites her lip. “But I’ve known something was up with him for months. It’s been like he’s had the weight of the world on his shoulders. I know you noticed.”

“Yeah.”

“I can’t believe this is what it was, though. I thought he had problems at work. Not… not gambling.”

I shake my head. “The bloke in charge says we’ve got to get out of here today.”

“I know.”

“It’s going to be okay,” I say fiercely. “I’ll look after you.”

She squeezes my hand, her blue eyes full of affection for a fleeting moment. “I’m going back to my mum’s.”

Relief and dread fill me. Relief that I won’t have to be responsible for her because right at this moment I haven’t got a fucking clue what I’m going to do with myself, let alone Cath. And dread at the tone in her voice.

“Permanently?” I whisper.

The silence lasts for a few beats. “Maybe,” she finally says. “I don’t want to see him, Wes. I can’t believe he’s done this to us.”

“I know,” I say, reaching out and stroking her hair back. The strands are soft and warm on my fingers. “I understand and I don’t blame you.” I hesitate. “But maybe give it some time. See how you feel before you make any big decisions.”

Since the moment I met her, she’s felt like my big sister. She fit straight into our little family like a missing jigsaw piece. I hope she doesn’t divorce him, but I wouldn’t blame her if she did.

Her eyebrow lifts. “Big decisions like deciding to gamble away our home? You’re too soft with him, Wes.”

“He’s all I’ve got,” I say helplessly, as caught by my love for my brother as I always am. “I’m so mad I could kill him at the moment, but at the same time I love him, and I’d do anything for him.” I shrug. “It doesn’t make sense.”

“It makes perfect sense,” she says softly. “Do you want to come with me? My mum loves you. You could kip on the sofa until you find something.”

Temptation stirs, but I shake my head immediately to ward it off. “I couldn’t do that, babe. I know money’s tight at your parents’ house with your dad being off work at the moment.”

“You sure?”

I nod, and she steps forward and hugs me tightly. “I love you, Wes. Don’t be a stranger. You know where I am. I don’t want to lose contact.”

I kiss her forehead, inhaling her perfume. She and Tyler have been together since they were at school. Losing her would be like losing one of my family members—another thing to be angry at my brother for.

“I don’t understand it,” I say, my eyes heating with frustrated tears.

Her face twists. “You and me both. I’ll see you soon, yes?”

Grabbing her case, she walks out of the house without a second glance.

I look around, pain twisting under my ribs. This is the only home I’ve ever known. I was born here. My mum died here. What the fuck am I going to do now?

One of the men comes into the hallway. He’s carrying a small object in his hand. “Move,” he grunts.

I step back to avoid being banged into. Then I see what he’s carrying so carelessly, and I’m suddenly white hot with rage. Why have I been standing here, dazed, while they’ve literally been throwing away my memories?

“Give me that,” I snap.

He stops in his tracks. “What?”

“Give me that. It’s my mum’s jewellery box.”