Chapter Thirty-Three
Liv’s Flat
Liv hadn’t heard anything more from Amelia aside from a text to say everything was on track. In the meantime, her life continued in a routine that she found strangely comforting.
She’d been promoted to assistant manager at the bar, not quite as good as it sounded as they had an almost weekly turnover of staff, and she hadn’t been given any more money in her pay packet. It was on a trial basis for a month and if things worked out, she might get a bit of a pay rise.
She kept a low-profile, still preferring to stay in at night, mostly sleeping or just watching a bit of TV. The only time she went out was to her AA meetings which to her surprise she really enjoyed. She felt a deepening bond with these damaged people who were trying their best to turn their lives around.
The kindly Rab had become her sponsor and he told her to call him anytime she felt she might fall off the wagon or just needed a chat. She hadn’t got in touch with him yet, but found it comforting that there would be someone there to talk to if it all become too much.
She had just finished her usual spartan breakfast of toast with a scrape of butter and a cup of strong tea when her phone pinged.
Hey – I would really like to see you. I’ll pop round this afternoon if I don’t hear back from you. Evie x
Liv tutted. It was a cleverly worded message that needed a response, even if it was just to be told to get stuffed. Liv knew if she didn’t reply, Evie would be as good as her word and turn up at her door.
After Amelia had falsely told her Evie had shared her darkest secrets about Brodie, she felt a simmering anger towards her younger sister and a deep sense of betrayal. ‘She promised me she wouldn’t say a word. I should never have been so stupid as to trust her. I should just tell her to bugger off, but maybe I need to look her in the eyes and hear her trying to wriggle out of it.’
Liv sent a short response:
Suit yourself.
A few hours later, Evie was at her sister’s door. She decided to knock rather than just walk in. Liv scowled at her. “What do you want?” she said stonily. “If it’s the money I owe you for rehab, I told you I would send it to you as soon as I could.”
“Liv, you know fine well I said at the time I don’t want your money. We all chipped in anyway, not just me. Kate and Edwyn helped and Freya obviously, and Andrzej and Maureen too. We just wanted you to get a fresh start.”
Liv affected boredom: “Well whatdoyou want then?”
“Just to see you and to make sure you were doing OK.”
“Checking up on me you mean.”
“No. Nothing like that. Look, I brought you a present. It’s the view of the Yesnaby cliffs in the sunshine. I thought it might brighten the place up a bit.”
Liv made no move to take the gift Evie had spent such a long time creating. She’d used bright blues and golden yellowsto make the painting as cheerful as possible. It was glorious. Even Liv had to acknowledge that.
“I prefer my place to be minimalist, but you can leave it over there if you like.”
Evie placed the painting carefully on the floor across from the sofa. “Is it OK if I sit down?”
“Please yourself.”
Evie winced. She’d expected the sofa to have a bit of give but it was like sitting on a rock.
Liv didn’t sit. “I’ve actually got plans this afternoon. So if you have something to say I don’t have long.”
“I just wanted a chat, that’s all. We haven’t spoken properly at all and I wanted to make sure you were alright.”
“I’m doing just fine,” Liv said tersely.
“I’m glad to hear it. I know you’ve got a job and been going to AA meetings. That’s really great.”
Liv replied icily, “That’s none of your business, but yes, I am getting by. But I’m not your problem, Evie, and I don’t need you to fix me. I’d rather you just left me alone and I will pay that money back. I don’t want to owe you anything.”
Evie knew when she was beaten. Now was not the time to tell Liv that she had given her a share in the gallery. She got up and left, but not before turning to her sister and saying, “It’s Freya’s birthday soon and we are having a party for her. I know she would like you to be there and I would too. I’ll text you the details. Despite everything, we are family. And I will be here if you ever need me. Don’t ever forget that. I am on your side.”
Liv burst out, “Oh come on, Evie. Drop the act. You promised me you wouldn’t say a word about what happened to Brodie that night, but Amelia told me you couldn’t wait to spill the whole story to her.”
