Page 29 of The Good Neighbour

Winston was slurring his words. This meant trouble.

“You remembered then.”

“Course I did,” Winston replied. “Did you get the letter?”

Josh caught Suzanne’s eye. Sensing the danger, she scuttled round to him and grabbed hold of his hand.

“Yes.”

“Then do something about it,” Winston sneered.

Each word stabbed Josh in the chest. “I thought we should talk first.”

“About what? If it makes it any better, I had them draft it before I even got my diagnosis.”

He couldn’t believe his ears.

Josh heard another man speaking French in the background.

“You’re not alone then?”

Winston cackled. “Not since I left you, no. Let’s not drag this out. I don’t want anything except this place and maybe a few bits and pieces. You can have the old mausoleum on that shitty boring street. I’m done with London. I won’t make a claim if we get the show on the road. Get a lawyer and I’ll send over my list.”

He had it all figured out.

“Fine,” Josh said. “If it’s what you want.”

“It is.”

The phone went dead and Josh dropped to the floor. Suzanne knelt and wrapped her arms around him.

“Let it out,” she soothed.

Sobs wracked Josh’s body. “He’s a bastard,” he said.

Suzanne kissed the top of his head. “Yes, I’m afraid he is.”

“Who’s a bastard?”

They both spun round to see Madeline standing at the top of the stairs. She looked fabulous in a Burberry trench coat and flared black trousers. Her hair was up and her makeup flawless.

She stalked over to them. Josh allowed Suzanne to help him up.

“Who do you think?”

“Not fucking Winston?”

Josh nodded miserably.

“I think I’ll leave you to it,” Suzanne said, grabbing her bag.

“Don’t leave on my account,” Madeline replied. “If it’s to do with that piece of shit, it may be a two-woman job.”

Suzanne patted her on the shoulder, causing her to wince. Madeline didn’t encourage physical contact after a few incidents from roaming hands.

“I can’t think of any situation where you’d need backup,” Suzanne said. “There’s vodka in the freezer.”

Madeline positively glowed. “Thank you. Have a wonderful evening.”