He turned to his wife. “Can you get Amelia’s coat?” He looked at Evie, who was standing silent and pale like an alabaster statue. “Evie, what’s the matter with you? Call a cab while I help Amelia.”
He looked at her again. “Are you OK? What exactly happened here? Did Amelia have a fall?”
“Yes. I fell,” said Amelia quickly. “I just stumbled over my own two feet. I think I might have had too much to drink or maybe I just lost my balance on my stupid high heels.”
“Well, they are lethal,” said Edwyn kindly. “Maybe stick to flat shoes or trainers for a while.” He gave her his most understanding and reassuring smile and then looked over at Evie with irritation.
“Evie, I told you to call a cab.” She didn’t reply and still didn’t move.
He sighed impatiently, “Never mind, I will do it myself.” He called the local taxi firm, who said they were minutes away. There was no point in going back inside and causing a scene. He took off his jacket and put it over Amelia’s shoulders. She was shivering and crying.
Kate still hadn’t gone inside and Evie hadn’t moved either. Edwyn was on the verge of losing his temper. “Don’t bother about her coat. The cab will be here soon. And don’t make a fuss, we don’t want to spoil Freya’s big night. If anyone asks, Amelia has had a fall and I’m taking her to the hospital as a precaution. I’ll see you back at home, Kate.”
He got into the taxi with Amelia and they set off to the Balfour. Kate looked at Evie in horror, shaking her head.
“You attacked that poor girl! And she just covered it up to save you. I should have said something to Edwyn but she obviously wants to protect you. God knows why. I just can’t believe what you’ve done. What is wrong with you?”
Evie didn’t reply. She just stared at Kate, unable to speak. Kate’s voice rose, “You’ve been acting weird ever since she came here. You’ve behaved appallingly to your friends, you’ve upset us all and now you’ve turned violent. I don’t know you anymore. Maybe I never did.”
Evie felt like she was underwater. Everything seemed distorted and muffled. She took a gulp of fresh, clean air and managed to slur to Kate, “You don’t understand. She’s the one who shoved me first and she’s had this all planned out. She hates me and she’s out to destroy me. I don’t understand why or what I’ve done.”
Kate turned to walk away. “I’m going inside to wish my dear friend Freya a happy birthday. I’m going to watch her cut her cake and I’m going to sing and applaud and, for her sake, I will try somehow to pretend all of this didn’t happen. Then I’m going home to my husband.”
She went on, “But what I really want to do is report you to the police, but that’s Amelia’s call. I’ve never seen anyone so terrified and traumatised.”
Evie couldn’t believe what she was hearing and mumbled, “Jesus Christ, Kate. I didn’t think you were so completely thick, she’s played you like a fiddle.”
Kate gave a shaky sigh. “Just go away home and leave us all alone. You’ve caused enough pain and havoc in all of our lives for far too long. Why don’t you do us all a favour and disappear again?”
Evie was left alone, utterly bereft. She stumbled to the bench and held on to stop the world from spinning. Maybe it would be better if she did just leave again, Evie thought. She’d caused so much suffering to the people she loved. It might be better if she just walked away.
Chapter Forty-Three
The Party, 3am
The party was finally winding down and, as predicted, Freya was the last woman standing. Some of the revellers were snoring with their heads on the table and half-melted Maltesers in their hair. Others had long gone into the night, after wishing Freya eighty more years of happiness.
Ross and Patsy were having ‘one for the road’. It was actually their fifth for the road, but no one was counting. Patsy looked around. “I haven’t seen Evie and Amelia for ages and Kate and Edwyn disappeared too.”
“Wimps,” said Ross.
“A bunch of one-pot screamers,” said Patsy. “They will be at home in their beds or lying drunk somewhere.”
“Amelia told me she was going to sort things out with Evie tonight. They will be on their second bottle of red somewhere, I hope,” said Ross.
Freya waddled over with a smile. “Anyone else fancy a last dance?”
Patsy groaned. “I had to take off my high heels hours ago. The soles of my feet were burning. I was dancing to Kylie’s ‘Padam’ in my bare feet and Andrzej stood on my big toe. It’s still throbbing.”
Ross smiled charmingly and bowed his head in Freya’s direction. “I will do a trip of the light fantastic with you,birthday girl, but it will have to be the last for I am a man barely alive.”
Freya gave a chuckle. “You aren’t the only one, the piper has passed out so maybe we should all think about going home.”
Patsy picked up her phone. “I’ll call us a cab. We can drop you off.” Ross smiled at her. “Thanks Patsy, but I think I’ll walk home. It’s not far, but I could do with clearing my head. Make sure her majesty gets to bed safely. She’s very precious.”
He took Freya’s hand and gave it a kiss. “I hope you had an unforgettable birthday.”
Freya sighed happily. “I really did. I wish I’d been able to have a word with Evie, though. I will make sure I see her in the morning.”
