‘Evie, don’t.’ Jack tries to catch her arm, but she yanks it away.
‘Why did Mum jump?’ she asks, her eyes frantic. ‘Why didn’t you stop her?’
He presses the heel of his hand against his forehead. ‘Itried.’ His eyes search her face, imploring. ‘She was out of control. I couldn’t hold on to?—’
‘Where were you when Immy was throwing herself off a car park?’ Evie demands. ‘Why didn’t you answer yourphone?’
‘Evie…’ The blood drains visibly from Jack’s face. ‘Just stop this, will you?’ He reaches again for her.
‘Don’ttouchme,’ she hisses, then she spins around and races back to the stairs.
‘What in God’s name…?’ Raking a hand through his hair, Jack stares after her as she flies up them.
I look from his stricken face to the landing and then bolt up after her.
‘Evie?’ I knock on her door, then push through it, regardless of whether she wants me to. I can’t leave her like this.
‘Goaway,’ she cries, from where she’s sitting on the bed, her knees drawn up to her chest. ‘I don’t want you here. You shouldn’t come anywhere near me. I’m cursed.’
‘Oh, Evie.’ My heart aches for her. ‘You’re not cursed, sweetheart. None of what’s happened is your fault.’
She doesn’t answer. Shuffling back towards the headboard, she grabs the raggedy rabbit she’d brought with her from Lina’s and clutches it to her.
I hesitate for a second, then sit carefully on the edge of the bed. ‘You’re upset, angry. You’re bound to be.’ I attempt to reassure her. ‘It’s all part of the grieving process. You’ll be feeling confused and guilty. I know how that feels, Evie, but you mustn’t blame yourself.’
‘You have noideahow I feel.’ Her aggressive response takes me aback. ‘You don’t know me. You’re not my mum. You can’t replace her. It’syouwho’s confused if you think you can.’
‘I don’t.’ I shake my head, hurt and bewildered, even though I guess she’s just lashing out. ‘I never imagined I could.’
‘And while we’re on the subject,’ she goes on as if I haven’t spoken, ‘my nan is not confused either. She sees you for what you are, a money-grabbing cow!’
That pierces my heart like an icicle, and I stare at her, staggered. Where is all of this coming from? Lina, obviously. What has she told her? ‘That’s not true, Evie,’ I say shakily.
Evie’s expression is hard, her eyes hostile as she glares at me, and I feel tears rising so fast I struggle to hold them back. ‘I should go.’ I stand abruptly and hurry to the door.
‘I’m sorry,’ she blurts behind me. ‘I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.’
I falter. I shouldn’t just walk out, but I can’t do this. I just don’t feel strong enough.
‘It’s just that I heard you talking about drawing up joint wills even though you haven’t known each other that long, and I thought?—’
‘Because we can’t get married yet!’ I spin around to face her, the tears spilling from my eyes. Surely Evie must realise I’ve no need of Jack’s money, that any discussion we’ve had about our finances was with her interests in mind. ‘We’re drawing up our wills to protect you and our unborn?—’
Our eyes lock as there’s an almighty crash downstairs, followed by a shrill scream.
Evie’s face pales and she shoots off the bed. ‘Nan!’ she calls, skidding past me to the landing.
THIRTY-SEVEN
I glance over the balustrade as I race after Evie. My blood freezes as I see Lina cowering in the far corner of the lounge, a smashed whisky bottle on the floor next to her, sharp shards of glass all around her.
‘Nan!’ Evie cries, almost stumbling on the stairs in her haste to get to her. ‘What happened?’ Skidding across the floor, she drops to her knees in front of her, fingers straying to the blood trickling down her cheek. ‘Did you fall?’
Lina doesn’t answer, but simply stares at her, her eyes wide and terrified.
Where’s Jack? My heart pounds as I glance around and see no sign of him. Quickly, I crouch next to Evie, scanning Lina’s face. She has a cut on her forehead. My heart jars as I picture the whisky bottle being the cause of it. ‘Are you hurt anywhere else, Lina?’ I ask, concerned she might have other injuries.
Lina’s gaze travels dazedly from Evie to me. ‘I told you something awful would happen,’ she murmurs.
