“Evie, that’s enough,” said Freya. “I don’t know what’s got into you. Please stop this. It’s not like you.”
They were all looking at Evie, aghast. Even little Ola seemed upset. Maureen said quietly, “Evie, we would never deliberately exclude you from anything. None of us would do that to you.”
Evie realised she was making a fool of herself but her emotions were out of control. She looked at Amelia, sitting at the heart of the group in what was Evie’s usual chair, holding the baby she adored, and bathed in the love and admiration of her favourite people. ‘Oh God, I’m so jealous of her. This is ridiculous and I am being absurd.’
Evie was just about to blurt out an apology to everyone for her behaviour, when she saw a sly look of triumph come over Amelia’s face and she blew her top. She yelled at Amelia, “Don’t you dare smirk at me. You planned this all along. You’ve been telling lies about me to Liv, and now—”
Freya interrupted and said firmly, “Evie. If you can’t behave yourself and control your temper, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
Evie responded angrily, “You seriously wantmeto leave, when it’s her you should be kicking out?”
Amelia started to cry and got up sobbing, “I don’t want to be the cause of any arguments between you. I’m so sorry you feel like this, Evie. If I have done anything to upset you then please forgive me. The last thing I want to do is cause problems. I will leave right away.”
Kate went over to her. “Don’t be silly, Amelia. You haven’t done anything wrong. You don’t need to go anywhere.” She turned to look at Evie. “I don’t know what’s going on in your head. You’ve been rude and objectionable and bloody odd to Amelia ever since she got here, when all she’s done is to be kind and help Freya, and the rest of us. Where haveyoubeen? You need to take a long hard look at yourself.”
Freya interrupted quietly but firmly, “I really think you should apologise to Amelia before this all gets any worse.”
Evie was furious. “Apologise to that two-faced sneak? No chance. You ask her what she said to Liv. And just look at her. She has copied my hair, my clothes and she’s slithered her way into our lives. She’s a snake and you can’t trust her.”
Amelia was shaking her head. Freya stood up, trembling, but her voice was strong and cut Evie to the bone.
“That’s enough, Evie. If you can’t be civil, I don’t want you in this house.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t stay here a minute longer,” said Evie. “Don’t worry, I’m going. I know when I’m not wanted. I will leave you all to it.”
Evie wanted to tell them all she was sorry for being angry and lashing out, that Amelia brought out the worst in her and really had told Liv those lies. She found her throat was so choked up with unshed tears, she simply couldn’t get the words out.
Amelia was still sobbing and being hugged tightly by Kate, who looked at Evie in bewilderment.
She turned on her heel and stormed out, slamming the door so hard the windows rattled. Amelia had planned this whole thing all along. She didn’t fool her. She knew exactly who Amelia was. Getting behind the wheel of her beloved Florence she could barely see out of the windscreen for her tears. Angrily brushing them aside she headed home.
‘Oh Christ,’ she exclaimed. She’d played right into Amelia’s hands. Amelia wanted her to rant and rave at everyone and she’d have made it easy for her to be portrayed as the victim of big bad Evie. Amelia had turned them all against her.
Back at Freya’s, everyone was trying to comfort a distraught Amelia, who was tearfully telling them it was all her fault, and she was so sorry for upsetting Evie and causing a scene.
Kate said grimly, “You didn’t cause anything, Amelia. Evie was way out of order. I don’t know what’s gotten into her lately.” She added, “Agnes is really upset with her. Apparently, Evie wasn’t happy with how she did her hair, so she went to a salon in Aberdeen.”
Maureen was desperately upset at Evie for causing such a scene. She managed to whisper, “When I was in Hume from Hume, Fiona’s sister said she was very sad to hear that Evie didn’t like any of the dresses that she bought from there, even that bonnie green one that I know she loves. At least I think that’s what she said. You know how these stories grow arms and legs.”
“Yes,” said Freya uncertainly. “But there’s usually a kernel of truth in them. Amelia, didn’t you say Evie thought my style was a bit too flamboyant?”
“Oh Freya, I’m sure she didn’t mean it. I told you I must have picked her up wrong. She’d never say anything so hurtful about you.”
“I’m worried about her,” said Freya. “She’s acting out of character. She’s saying all sorts of mean things and that display we all just witnessed was not the Evie I know.” She sighed heavily. “I know she’s been through a lot in life, but I feel like I don’t know her anymore.
Kate nodded in agreement. “She has been completely different since Amelia arrived.”
Amelia burst out, “See. Evie was fine until I arrived. I knew it was a mistake coming here. I’ve caused all this turmoil. I should have stayed at home in Seattle. I wish I’d ignored those letters from Shelia I found all those years ago. I’m so sorry everyone. You’ve been so kind, and I’ve ruined everything.”
They all started talking at once to reassure Amelia that none of this was her fault. Amelia sniffled, “I know she was very cross when I got my hair done like hers, but she is just so beautiful, and I thought as we looked quite similar it would suit me too.” She started to cry again.
Freya patted her hand. “There now love, don’t be upset and you don’t want to be crying on peedie Hari or you will start him off too. And anyway, that’s not how we wet the baby’s head in this part of the world.”
Ross spoke up. “I think we could all do with a drink, Freya. Let me sort it.” He got up and made his way into the kitchen.
Freya smiled in approval. “That boy doesn’t say much but when he does, it’s always very sensible indeed. I for one would like a wee dram to calm my nerves.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
