“I don’t know if he’ll listen.”
“He will if you give him a chance. Don’t storm out or make a big dramatic statement. Go to him, show him you care, listen to him.”
“I don’t make big dramatic statements,” Emily replied with a huff.
Evie grinned. “Uh huh.”
“You always think the worst of me.”
“Then prove me wrong. Fix your marriage and appreciate your family. Enjoy your life, and stop looking for ways to sabotage yourself and everyone around you. You’re better than that. You deserve better than that.”
Emily hugged Evie. “Thank you.”
They cried together for a while, then Emily returned to her room to pack her bags. She was going home, and Evie would have the house to herself again. What she would do with her life then, she had no idea.
Fifteen
Charmaine was ridingher bike down Main Street when she saw Sean. She hadn’t seen him since the fire and hoped he’d skipped town. He wore a pair of board shorts and a cap, but no shirt. He was tanned and fit, licking an ice cream and watching her approach. There was no chance he hadn’t seen her. She slowed the bike and stepped off, heart pounding in her chest.
“What are you still doing here?” she asked.
He laughed. “Why would I go anywhere else? I love it here.”
“You burned the café and the bookshop to the ground. I’m calling the police.”
“I didn’t touch them, and you can’t prove otherwise,” Sean hissed, stepping closer with a menacing look on his face.
“Just go,” she said. “Leave. You don’t belong here. It’s not fair to do this to people who’ve done nothing to hurt you.”
“I’m here for you and for the jewellery.”
“What is this jewellery you keep talking about?” She knew what he was referring to, but she still didn’t understand where it’d come from or how he knew about it. She’d found it in a small portable safe in her mother’s room after her death. Charmaine had spent several weeks cleaning out cupboards and selling furniture in preparation for the renters to move in. She’d stumbled on the cache of diamond jewellery by accident, along with the combination in a pocket of her mother’s purse.
How had Mum got hold of such expensive items? She assumed they were expensive, but hadn’t checked with a professional. Instead, she’d simply put them away to think about at another time. But since Sean was so interested in finding the pieces, clearly they were worth more than she’d realised.
“You know what I’m talking about. I’m guessing you found the necklace and tennis bracelet. Didn’t you?”
“I don’t know what you mean…” Charmaine’s heart raced.
He snarled. “I know all about them. Mum told me when she was close to the end. Said they were worth millions. They’re mine too, and I want them. I’m sticking around until you hand them over. It would be a shame if the florist shop suffered a similar fate to the café. I’m sure you’d agree.”
She gasped, her eyes wide. “Don’t you dare.”
“Give me the necklace.”
Her thoughts raced. What would it take to get rid of him? She didn’t want to hand over the jewellery, but maybe that was her only play.
“I don’t have the jewellery. Mum was delusional. If I had something worth millions, I wouldn’t be living in this hovel and working two minimum wage jobs. Would I?”
Doubt flitted through his eyes. “If you don’t have them, where are they?”
“I have no idea. How much money do you owe, anyway?”
He told her the amount and she swallowed hard, frantically trying to think of a way to get her brother to leave town once and for all.
“I’ll call the solicitor and find out if I can withdraw any more money from the mortgage on Mum’s house. If I can get enough to pay your debts, will you leave me and my friends alone?”
He shrugged. “Can you do that?”
