Evie wasn’t so sure. Amelia had alienated her from her friends and who knows what other lies she had been spreading.
Kate was at the front door when they arrived. She was furious.
Without even looking at Evie, she said to Ross, “I don’t want her in Freya’s house. We all know what she tried to do to Amelia last night.”
Ross sighed. “Well, don’t you think we should at least give Evie a chance to explain herself? That can’t be too much to ask? I know Freya would want to hear what she has to say.”
Kate reluctantly moved aside and ushered them both in. She stood with her arms folded, “This is against my better judgement. It had better be good.”
Edwyn was sitting beside Amelia checking the graze on her face. Freya was sitting on her comfy colourful sofa, but she looked haunted and nothing like the laughing woman at her birthday party just last night.
Amelia’s version of events had been so upsetting, particularly as she had seemed so unwilling to put any of the blame on Evie. It made her story all the more shocking and believable.
Edwyn glared at Evie and said coldly. “The last time I saw you, you had just attacked Amelia. She’s been in hospital and luckily she’s OK, but that’s no thanks to you. Explain yourself, if you can.”
“Actually,” said Amelia. “I really don’t think she should be here at all.” She clutched Edwyn’s arm and made her voice tremble with fake fear. “I’m scared of what she might do to me if she gets angry again.”
Edwyn stood up. “Amelia’s right. Ross, I am surprised at you for bringing her here. Evie, you need to leave right now, you can see how much you frighten Amelia.”
Ross interrupted him. “Just hang on a minute. None of you know the full story.”
“But I do,” came a quiet voice from the doorway. It was Liv. She looked nervous but determined. There was a man behind her, even bigger than Andrzej, in faded jeans and a worn-out black biker jacket. He was grey and grizzled, and his belly had gone a bit soft, but he wasn’t someone you would mess with.
He squeezed Liv’s shoulder for reassurance as she looked over to Evie. She held her sister’s gaze and asked, “Are you OK?”
Evie was astounded. Her sister had never once asked if she was alright. If she spoke to her at all it was to be defensive and dismissive, but Liv looked genuinely concerned.
Kate spluttered, “What is Liv doing here? Who’s that with you?”
Liv scowled at her. “You might want to listen to what I have to say. This is Rab. He’s a … friend.”
Amelia said smoothly, and as though they were complete strangers, “You must be Evie’s sister. I’ve heard so much about you,” almost as though she was at a posh dinner party.
Liv ignored her, “Whatever Evie has to tell you about Amelia, it’s the truth. She’s been in constant touch with me since she arrived here. She’s tried to bribe me and she’s also threatened me.”
Liv was breathing heavily, clearly anxious, but determined to say her piece. As she tried to continue, Amelia cut in, “You know that’s a downright lie. I have never set eyes on you until tonight.”
Liv glared at her in contempt and went on, “She came to the pub where I work to see me, almost as soon as she landed here. She told me she had a scam to get her hands on Evie’s gallery and to alienate her from her friends. She wanted me to help her.”
Amelia laughed shrilly, “What is all this nonsense? What are you talking about, Liv?”
Liv’s voice shook a little, “You know exactly what happened. You told me to steal my sister’s passport and then we went to that new solicitor in Kirkwall.”
Liv swallowed hard and pushed herself on, “You pretended to be Evie. You already had your hair dyed blonde and wore the same kind of clothes, and you chose a solicitor who was new to the island and who wouldn’t know our family history. You forged my sister’s signature so I’d be able to access the business bank account and withdraw all the money leaving Evie and the gallery in ruins. All the gallery’s artists and would be out of pocket too – Evie would have had to leave Orkney for good.”
Amelia looked at Freya and Edwyn and Kate and said calmly to Liv, “Why on earth should these good people believe you? Anyone can see you and your sister have cooked up this ridiculous nonsense against me.”
“You know I’m telling the truth,” said Liv.
Amelia sighed: “Let’s get this straight.Youstole your sister’s passport andyoumade the appointment with the solicitor. It has nothing to do with me. And it’s not my fault if you are now having a change of heart and want to lay the blame on someone else, but it’s not going to work.”
Amelia sounded so reasonable and rational that Freya, Edwyn and Kate didn’t know what to think. But then Liv smiled.
And Rab pulled out a bundle of paperwork from his jacket pocket. He handed it to Liv, who said, “I went back to thesolicitor and got all of this immediately after I said goodbye to you. You were so full of yourself and had no idea that I was never part of your scheme.”
Liv allowed herself to look triumphant. “I took copies of the paperwork from the solicitor – we’ll be able to prove that this signature isn’t Evie’s. Evie still has the money. I didn’t touch a penny and I never would have. I just went along with you to see how far you would go.”
Ross chipped in. “You’ve been spreading lies about Evie all over the islands, stirring up bad blood with her friends. And I wouldn’t be surprised if it was you who was behind those dreadful online attacks on Freya.”
