‘What are you doing here?’ Jago looked confused.
Thom stayed in the kitchen. ‘It’s the last day of the month, mate.’ He added seriously, raising his eyebrows, ‘You owe her something.’
Jago, clearly not prepared for this, stuttered, ‘Elodie, there was a fire at Seahaven Farm… and I haven’t been to the bank yet.’
Thom raised his eyebrows. ‘Jago, what are you doing, man? Just put her straight before I do.’
Rita got to her feet, hobbling into the kitchen with her hospital crutches. ‘What’s going on?’
Elodie smirked, challenge in her eyes. ‘Yes. You tell your mummy what’s going on, Thomas. Like a good boy.’
Rita froze. Jago squirmed. Just then, Poppy and Sennen arrived, timing impeccable. Before Thom could stop himself, it was out.
‘I slept with her,’ he said, sharp and unapologetic. ‘Oh, and it’s a good job for everyone concerned that I did.’
The words hit Rita like a thunderclap. She wobbled on her crutches.
‘Rita, go back and lie down, or at least please sit,’ Jago said, worry in his voice.
Thom’s eyes widened. ‘That’s just the start… sorry, Mum.’ He turned to Poppy, who stood still, completely open-mouthed, as if in shock. He screwed his face up like a child about to be told off. ‘I’m so sorry.’ Poppy let out a sound somewhere between a gasp and a wounded howl as Thom tried again, ‘I’ve made a terrible mistake.’
‘Sorry?’ she shrieked. ‘Sorry?’ She pointed to Elodie. ‘You mean you slept withher?’ She clutched her chest as if physically struck. ‘Do you know what, Thomas Jory, I have stood by you through everything.Everything. I… I even bought a pair of wellies and got some tablets for my chicken allergy!’
She spun on her heel, grabbing her bag. ‘It’s clearlymewho has made a terrible mistake. I never want to see you again! Do you hear me?Never.’
She stormed outside, voice still echoing back into the house. ‘You complete and utter bastard!’
‘Go with her,’ Thom urged his sister.
Hesitantly, Sennen did as she was told.
Rita sat herself down clumsily at the kitchen table.
‘Tell everyone what I overheard you saying in the hotel bathroom,’ Thom said to Elodie, voice hard as steel. ‘Actually, Jago already knows, so it’s just Mum you need to enlighten.’
Rita suddenly realised now why Thom had been spotted locally more than once, including pulling into Hawthorn Acre. Her stomach twisted.Why didn’t they tell me?she thought, sharp and incredulous.Why am I the last to know, as if my opinion doesn’t matter, as if I’m not part of this at all?
Elodie went pale. ‘I… I…neverwant to seeyouagain either!’ she screamed, pushing past him to the door, but Thom blocked her.
‘Say it!’ Jago barked.
‘It’s fine. I’m leaving. Goodbye,au revoir,arrivederci,auf Wiedersehen! You can carry on with your own little incestuous affair right here!’
But Thom wasn’t letting her go.
‘Miss Blunt here… was conning Jago.’ He sounded like a barrister’s closing comments, carrying the weight of truth. ‘She is still very much with Donal, and they’re moving to Ireland together. Her pitiful little plan aimed to extract twenty thousand pounds out of Jago. And… that’s not all; Amélie isn’t his either. The poor child has been used as a bargaining chip in their game.’
Without even daring to look at Rita, Jago ran his hands through his hair. ‘You’re an evil woman, Elodie Blunt. Now get out of my house and don’teverreturn.’
Elodie swished to the door, then looked back. ‘Why wait to tell me now? I’ve been stuck at my dad’s a week longer than I needed to be!’
‘Yes, you have. Poor Elodie. Not nice, is it, someone tricking you?’
With a huge harrumph the Frenchwoman flew out of the door.
As the Mini screeched off down the drive, Jago rushed to Rita’s side. ‘I’m so sorry I put you through this… I’ve been a complete and utter fool.’
Sennen came in. ‘Jesus, she nearly ran me over!’
