“Hello,” Jenny greeted, surprised. “I didn’t realise there was anyone here. Karen’s on her way – she just stopped off at the shop. She gave me the keys.” She held them up apologetically.
“He’s just upstairs. I’ll get him,” Barbara mumbled, quickly starting up the steps, but mercifully her brother was already on his way down.
“Jenny, how are you? I haven’t seen you since –”
“Fine, thanks,” she interjected shortly. “I didn’t realise you’d be here today.” Before adding pointedly, “I don’t think Karen did either.”
“Well, we just needed to check out a few things.” He nodded at his companion. “You remember Barbara, don’t you?”
Jenny turned and studied her with undisguised surprise. Shane’s sister – she hadn’t recognised her at all. She was certain that her hair had been darker the last time she’d seen her.
“Can we go now, please?” Barbara asked, ignoring Jenny. “I don’t think I can stand the stench in here any longer and now my skirt’s ruined too. Those cushion covers have obviously never been washed.”
Jenny examined the other woman’s clothing for signs of spoilage but couldn’t see a thing. The cheek of it – Karen would be livid. She was sure that her friend had no idea anyone was here. And if Jenny had known from the outset who was, she wouldn’t have been so pleasant when she came in.
“I suppose we’d better go,” he muttered. “Nice seeing you again, Jenny.”
“No rush. I’m sure Karen would like to see you both before you go,” she replied archly, enjoying the sight of the two of them squirming.
“Ah no, sure we’ll head away – we have to be somewhere else anyway. Tell her I said – ”
The door slammed and they heard a voice call out angrily from the hallway. “You can tell me yourself!”
Karen bustled past, her arms laden down with groceries. She dropped the shopping bags and turned to him, furious. “What the hell is going on? How did you get in?”
“Now hang on just a minute. I have as much right to be here as you do – more actually.”
“Well, I’ve got news for you, Quinn. According to my latest solicitor, I’ve paid my dues too. Which means,” she added, eyes blazing, “that I have every right to tell you to get the hell out of here.” She was pleased to see his eyes widen at the mention of a new solicitor. “Why did you have to go behind my back?” she continued. “But that’s not your style, is it? You can’t be straight up about anything; never could.”
“Maybe you’d better leave,” Jenny said quietly, feeling that she needed to say something to defuse the situation.
The sister rounded on Karen. “How dare you? You’re lucky that he’s let you stay here for as long he has. If it was up to me ... ” Barbara trailed off, glaring at her. “Though at least it won’t be long before we’re all rid of you – finally.”
“Barbs, there’s no need to upset anyone – we’re going now …”
Just then, the doorbell rang, and the Quinns looked decidedly nervous as Karen went to answer.
“Hello, Patrick from Ryan Mitchell Auctioneers,” said the affable-looking man standing in the doorway. “I’m here for the valuation.”
“Valuation…” Karen whirled around to face them. “You organised a valuation on my house without my permission? How dare you. Howdareyou try to sell this house from under me, you gutless bastard…”
“Erm, maybe now’s not a good time …” the estate agent murmured, mortified.
“You’re damn right it’s not,” Karen growled. “I’m very sorry but it seems that someone has wasted your time. There will be no valuation of this property today - and not for as long as I’m here.”
“We’ll see how much longer that will be,” Barbara hissed, easing out the door past the white-faced agent, who stood back unsure of what to do next. Eventually, he retreated to the safety of his car parked a little way down the road.
When the siblings followed, Jenny closed the door behind them and went back into the living room.
Karen was sitting on the couch and hugging one of the purple and gold Sari cushions she was so fond of, her face red with anger.
“Howdarehe come here behind my back? And worse, I would never have known if I wasn’t off today. It mightn’t have been the first time either – he could have been here loads of times that I didn’t know about.” Enraged, she threw the cushion across the room. “Why did he have to go behind my back and why did he bring that botoxed, bleached-blonde bimbo with him?”
Then despite her tears, she grinned, seeing Jenny trying to hide a smile.
“Sure enough the place would have to be in an awful state. I was late for my appointment this morning, so I didn’t get a chance to tidy up.” She snorted. “Typical.”
“Hehad a cheek coming in without telling you, don’t forget,” Jenny reminded her.
