Stella’s pulse started racing and her head hurt.
‘I can’t possibly send him home.’
‘Why not?’
‘It might tip him over the edge. I promised Harriet I’d look after him.’
Louise made a clicking sound with her tongue, which made Stella’s teeth jangle.
‘Always Harriet,’ she said. ‘Nothing’s changed, has it? You hero-worshipped her when she was alive, and she’s still running your life now she’s dead. When are you going to grow up and stand on your own two feet?’
‘What?’ Stella could hardly believe her ears. This sudden, inexplicable burst of malice took her breath away. ‘I didn’t hero-worship her,’ she said hotly. ‘I don’t know why you think that. She was a dear friend. We’d grown up together, remember. We were like sisters. Weunderstoodeach other,’ she added pointedly. ‘She’d do anything for me and vice-versa.’
Even in the darkness, she could sense Louise’s skin prickling with annoyance.
‘Really? I know you’d do anything forher. You’ve shown that a hundred times over. But what about the other way round?’
‘What do you mean?’ Stella was stunned.
‘Well, where was Harriet when Robin died, for instance? And I don’t remember her looking after Hector much when you were trying to get your business off the ground.’
It was true, Harriet hadn’t been there when Stella had heard the news about Hector’s real dad; she’d been away on a work trip. She’d kept in touch by phone, though. And Louise was between jobs and didn’t have children when Stella had been setting up Deliciously Yours, whereas Harriet was working full-time with a two-year-old.
‘I was really grateful for your help; you were amazing,’ Stella said quietly, as it slowly dawned on her Louise must have disliked Harriet far more than she’d ever realised. ‘Were you jealous of Harriet?’ she asked suddenly, genuinely wanting to understand where the anger was coming from.
‘Not in the least.’ Louise gave a humourless laugh, which made Stella think she must have hit a raw nerve. ‘Why would I be jealous ofher?’
A real nastiness had crept into her tone, which made Stella’s pulse race. It was as if a switch had been flipped and she suddenly saw red.
‘I think you were. I think you envied our closeness,’ she blurted. Now she’d started, she couldn’t stop. ‘You’ve always been critical of her. You never made much effort to be friends. I often wondered why. I was quite surprised you didn’t do more to help when she was dying, actually. I didn’t say anything at the time, but I noticed you didn’t visit much; you were always too busy. And now you’re telling me to do less for her family. At last, I understand why.’
There was a silence again for a moment and the atmosphere surrounding the two women felt heavy and sinister. Even the air they were breathing seemed toxic.
Stella could hear her heart hammering and her fists were clenched. She squeezed her eyes closed, gearing up for another verbal onslaught, but instead, Louise inhaled deeply.
‘Look, there’s no point arguing like this. We’re both upset and we’ll only say things we’ll regret. I do think you need focus more on Hector and Lily, though. They need you just as much – probably even more than Jemima and Jon.’
Heat rose up through Stella’s body and her cheeks caught fire for the second time that evening.
‘Do you think I don’t know what my kids have been through? They’re my main priority. Their needs are always uppermost in my mind.’
‘Hey!’ Louise touched Stella lightly on the arm, which made her jump and instinctively pull back.
‘I’m sorry for what I said. I know you loved Harriet and I didn’t not like her, if you see what I mean. And you’re a good mum. I just think Jon’s affecting the atmosphere, especially now he’s told you he’s in love with you. It must be really awkward for you, too.’
They’d reached the perimeter wall and began to skirt round the edge of the garden. It was a clear night and the way was lit by the silvery moon and stars.
This sudden, surprise apology made Stella cool down a bit. She wasn’t wearing shoes and the grass felt pleasantly chilly beneath her feet.
It was clear Louise wanted to smooth things over, which wasn’t a bad thing. It was late and Stella needed a decent night’s sleep, not more of an ugly, deeply upsetting confrontation. She couldn’t forget Louise’s words, though. Out of the blue, she’d gone for the jugular, and it really hurt.
‘I’ve taken on board your comments about Jon,’ Stella said carefully, after pondering for a few moments. ‘I do understand where you’re coming from, but I can’t do what you ask. I’ll see what he’s like tomorrow. If he’s still acting weird around me, I’ll tell him he’s making everyone uncomfortable and it’s got to stop.’
‘Fine.’ Louise sounded frustrated, but resigned.
‘Thanks,’ said Stella, scratching a bite on her arm with her fingernails. Relief from the itching only came when the bite started to bleed.
By now, they’d circled round the whole villa and come back to their original spot. A burst of laughter came from inside; the girls and Will were probably still playing cards.
Stella glanced up to Jon’s window again and saw light still shining through the shutters. She shivered, and hoped Harriet would appreciate what she was doing for him; Harriet wouldn’t want Stella turning her back on Jon, no matter what. It had put her in a very difficult position, though.
‘Just so you know, I’m going to keep my distance from Jon as much as possible tomorrow,’ Louise said firmly.
Stella nodded, wishing she could do the same.
Goosebumps ran up and down her arms when she remembered his hand on hers, him standing so close to her at times, there was barely a sliver of breathing space between them.
‘Good idea. Me too,’ she added without conviction.
