Page 88

Chapter 87

Margot

I hold on to Anna’s arm for dear life as we make our way across the cul-de-sac and back to my house. I fear that if I let go of her, I’ll fall down an invisible black hole. My deep breaths are supposed to be calming but they’re not working. They’re just leaving me more rattled.

‘It’s like we’re in one of those TikTok “Tell Me Without Telling Me” challenges Tommy keeps making me watch,’ I tell her. ‘ Tell me how you’re going to blackmail me without telling me. I’m fucked, aren’t I?’

‘It would appear that’s what Liv wants us to believe,’ Anna replies. She’s much calmer than me.

‘I don’t understand what she has over you? What’s the significance of Drew’s wedding ring?’

‘I assume she found it on the floor in my garage.’

‘What was it doing there? And why does she have it?’

Anna waits for me to read between the lines. And then my stomach twists when I realise what she’s not saying.

‘He’s . . . ?’

‘Yes.’

‘Oh.’

It’s like the weight of a double-decker bus has been lifted from my shoulders. I know how the death of my unborn child’s biological father should make me feel, but I also know how it is making me feel. However, I don’t have time to process this now.

‘So I was wrong,’ I continue. ‘It’s not just me who’s fucked, it’s you too.’

‘It’s not an ideal situation to be in, no.’

We enter my house and I slam the door behind me. Shock mutates into rage.

‘Everything I earn from here on in is going to be spent on yoga mats, freshly laundered towels and fucking pan pipe Spotify playlists,’ I rant. ‘What about you and the house or the workshop? Or the apprentice?’

‘I can’t do both and pay her what she wants.’

I pick up the nearest thing to me – a crystal-cut vase of flowers – and hurl it at the wall. It shatters on impact, spraying glass like confetti. Anna doesn’t react.

‘Why aren’t you as angry as me at what she’s doing to us?’ I yell.

‘Please don’t let this stress you out,’ Anna says with a frown. ‘Remember your blood pressure.’

‘If it shoots off the scale it’s because of her,’ I reply, jabbing my index finger in the direction of the enemy’s bunker. ‘For the first time in years I’m finally getting my career and marriage back on track, now she’s threatening to take it all away from me. I’ve already had one person trying to destroy me, I don’t need another.’

Anna looks away.

‘I’m sorry,’ I add. ‘I didn’t mean that.’

But I kind of did. Anna fills the kettle but I move towards the wine rack and reach for a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc instead. She looks at my swollen stomach and is about to protest, but I beat her to the punch.

‘It’s medicinal,’ I say.

‘You shouldn’t drink alone,’ she replies, and I pour her an equally generous glass.

We make our way into the lounge, where I sink into the sofa. I want to enjoy my drink, but I don’t. Either guilt or Liv has given the wine a bitter aftertaste.

‘How easy is it for you?’ I ask.

‘How easy is what?’

It’s my turn to expect her to read between the lines.

‘Oh, you mean that ,’ she replies and I nod. She considers my question before answering. ‘It’s only easy when they get what they deserve.’

‘And, figuratively speaking, might Liv be someone who deserves it?’

I hold my breath as Anna smiles and takes a long drink from her glass.

‘No,’ she says and my chest deflates. ‘She deserves something altogether different.’