“You owe me nothing. Little Squirt means the world to me. That girl, you and MJ; you’re my family. I would do anything for you all.” The feeling is mutual. “Have you spoken to Reilly?” He asks sheepishly.
“No. I can’t focus on her right now. My family needs me.” I shut him down. I can’t even begin to work out how to approach this thing with Reilly.
“And who’s looking after you, Elton?”
“You are, my friend.” I clap him on the back and give him a smile in hopes he won’t see me breaking inside.
“You think you can’t have Reilly and still be there for MJ and Neive. But you can. Don’t push her away. You need her.”
MJ appears at my office door. She looks broken. Her eyes are red and swollen from crying. She says she feels guilty for not being there for Neive. We all do.
“We’ll see, mate. I’m going to spend time with Neive.” I get up and step towards MJ, wrapping my arm around her. “MJ, get some rest. Neive is fine. I’ll sit with her for a bit, watch a film and chill out.”
“Okay.” She gives me a soft smile and hugs me close. “Reilly’s here, she’s with Neive. I … I apologised to her. I shouldn’t have said that stuff,” she whispers, shaking her head.
“Even if some of it came from a place of truth?” I ask.
“Even so.” She shrugs, and Charles wraps his arm around her and tucks her into him on the sofa. Maybe she’ll get a couple of hours’ nap.
Reilly
Despite the chaos of the last forty-eight hours, Neive is in high spirits. An event like this could crush a person, but Neive takes it all in her stride. She told me she knew Jeeves would come, and that once she realised they were after money she also knew they wouldn’t really hurt her. She labelled them far too unorganised to be “serious criminals”. Honestly this girl, either too naive or too smart. I’m not sure which one it is.
“He hasn’t called you, has he?” She grabs my hands.
“That’s not for you to worry about, Neive. You focus on resting.”
“I heard what happened. Mum shouldn’t have said those things. They aren’t true.” I raise my eyebrows at her in question. “No part of this house is soundproof,” she confirms, I can attest to that. “Mum’s sorry.”
“I know, darling. She spoke to me and apologised. I don’t blame her. Her baby girl was hurt. She was scared and lashed out.” I stroke her hair affectionately.
“But what about Uncle Elton?” My heart skips at the sound of his name.
I blow out a breath. I can’t hide things from Neive. She’s too astute. She sees everything and needs to not be treated like a small child.
“Honestly, Neive, it’s in your uncle’s hands.”
I take her hand and give her a comforting squeeze. I don’t want her thinking about this stuff right now. I don’t want to be thinking about this stuff right now.
He’s shut me out since yesterday, and I will only give a certain amount of leeway, even given the circumstances.
When emotions are high, things can be said or not said, and actions taken don’t reflect what matters. It’s the aftermath that matters, and I won’t wait forever. He’s going to need to throw me a rope.
Footsteps come to a slow stop behind us. I peer over my shoulder as casually as I can. He looks withdrawn with stubble on his chin and his hair ruffled. He clearly hasn’t slept much. I want to go to him, hold him and tell him everything will be okay. But he needs to let me, and I’m sensing he won’t.
He says nothing as he walks to Neive and kisses her on the head, avoiding all eye contact with me. Actions speak a thousand words, and right now his actions are screaming that he doesn’t want me here.
“I should go,” I announce, grabbing my bag and tidying the notebook I brought with me to show Neive cake ideas.
“That’s probably for the best,” Elton says emotionlessly. Pain stabs through my heart. He is cold and distant, and he won’t meet my eye. He’s taking the coward’s way out. I stand from the couch, slowly. Giving him every opportunity to ask me to stay.
“No, Reilly, don’t go. Uncle Elton doesn’t mean that,” Neive pleads. I look back at him, begging him to tell me he’s acting out and he’s sorry. His eyes remain on Neive’s head as he strokes her hair, his lips tight, refusing to acknowledge me.
“It’s fine, Neive. I’ve got to pick up Chip. I’ll text you, okay. Feel better.” I kiss her forehead. I’m standing opposite him now. He can’t avoid me.Look at me, Elton, look at me. Give me something, anything.
But he doesn’t, and I have my answer. This is over.
A deep ache settles inside me and the last slither of hope burns out.
