“Shhh,” said Rich.
“No!” said Emma. “I lied, too!”
“Christ, she iswasted,” said Cleo.
“I lost all our money,” said Emma.
“Mom, what?” said Guinness.
“Sweet Nothings,” managed Emma.
“That’s her business,” said Penelope. “It’s a line of personal, empowering products for women.”
“It’s not empowering,” said Emma. “Though I appreciate that, Penelope. Thank you.”
“Sweetheart…” whispered Rich.
“No! If Simon’s brave enough to tell the truth, so am I,” said Emma.
“More like drunk enough,” said Donna.
“Right?” said Cleo. She laughed. “You got that right.”
“Cleo, I can’t even tell the difference between you and Mom,” said Emma. “She made us ashamed our whole lives and now we do it to each other. But you know what? This has nothing to do with either of you. And the fact is…”
Everyone was silent, watching Emma. At last, she was in the spotlight, although not in the way she had envisioned. “Sweet Nothings is a scam,” she said. “I lost everything. Cassidy Rose…Cassidy Rose tricked me. It’s a pyramid marketing scheme. We’re completely broke.” Emma exhaled, finally free of her horrible secret.
“Not true,” said Rich. “Honey, it’s OK. We have plenty of savings and we’re going to—”
“No,” said Emma. She shook her head. “I spent all that, Rich. It’s all gone. Everything.”
Rich stared at her. “Say that again,” he said.
“Our savings are gone,” said Emma.
Rich was silent for a moment. He closed his eyes and shook his head. And then he stood up and walked slowly across the dining room toward the Great Hall. He opened the heavy door and closed it carefully behind him.
“Oh, Emma, what have you done?” said Donna.
“Leave her alone,” said Florence. “You’re all terrible people! None of you deserve Sylvie! Where is she, Simon?”
“She’s in the Gatekeeper’s Cottage,” said Simon. “That’s where I saw her last, anyway. I’d hoped she’d call me, or come to dinner, but…”
“You’re all insane,” said Florence. “Come on, Rash,” she said, taking her husband’s hand. “We’re packing up, we’re finding Syl, and we’re going home.”
“Fair enough,” said Rashid. “Thanks…uh…for everything.”
“This is a nightmare,” said Cleo, refilling her wineglass. “What about the loan I gave you last year?”
“Gone,” said Emma. She felt loose with relief.
“Well, Simon,” chirped Louisa, “at least you’re back at Mumberton. Where you belong.”
“Ah, Christ, son,” said Mac. “You don’t belong here. You never did.”
“Come on, Da,” said Simon in a low and defeated voice.
“More interest in Penny the vulture than your ancestors,” said Mac. “I appreciate the money. We all do. But you don’t belong where you started, son.”
