Page 8 of Enemies Under One Roof

‘Not something either of you would be expecting, I know, which you might view as an imposition, so please forgive me. Still, it’s my decision and what I think is best for my treasured home, and for you, too, my darlings.’

The words blurred and Ivy rubbed at her eyes and did the breathing exercise again.

‘I know the two of you will make the best decision. Which is why I’m asking both of you to stay at WillowGlen, together, for six weeks after my passing. Let its beauty and peace show you the path forward, as you follow your beautiful hearts. It won’t let you down, if you trust it.’

Ivy’s voice faltered, Oh, Ruby.

‘Don’t think I’ve gone cuckoo; you know how much I believe in the power of nature, slowing down, rest. I’m fully aware neither of you stop, and of what I’m asking of you and how it will impact your lives. But please, my darlings, trust me this one last time.

‘I’m writing this in my study, looking down the rolling lawn, the sky a vivid blue, a thousand memories of you both filling my heart, making me smile, bringing tears of happiness.’

This time Ivy couldn’t stop her tears, and she scrunched her eyes closed to stem the flow. Finally, she brushed them away and cleared her throat, not daring to look at Ethan in case it set her off again.

‘The only cloud on the horizon is that I won’t be here to see you, and what you do with WillowGlen, but then again that cloud will be the perfect spot for me and My Don to sit and watch the goings-on.

‘Finally, I ask you to open and listen to your beautiful hearts. They won’t ever lead you astray.’

Ivy sniffed.

‘Love always, Little Big Boss/Ruby XX.’

Ivy’s lips trembled and she wondered if the letter’s impact would ever lessen, because Ruby’s faith in her had never wavered.

Only because she didn’t know what you’d done.

A fresh wave of despair hit as silence filled the room except for the crackling fire.

Ethan rubbed a hand across his nape. ‘You had nothing to do with this?’

‘I had no idea, and I didn’t coerce her, if that’s what you’re getting at. Is that exactly what yours said?’ she asked.

She held his stare until he frowned and pulled a matching blue envelope out of his pocket and headed towards her. There was no threat in his movement, yet her heart galloped as she fought the urge to make a run for it when all his lethal grace came her way.

‘Yes. Here, read it.’

Careful not to touch her he handed over his letter and perched on the arm of the sofa.

She focused on the achingly familiar handwriting and quickly scanned the pages, the wording exactly the same.

‘It’s identical,’ she said with a thread of disappointment, when she was sure her voice would work. ‘Which doesn’t give us any clues as to why she did this.’

She passed the letter back to Ethan. He rubbed a hand over his temple and for a fleeting moment looked both devastated and exhausted.

‘It seems we’ll never know,’ he said, placing the letter on the table. ‘Feel like a walk?’

Ivy blinked, surprised at the offer of Ruby’s favourite way to talk something through, no matter the weather. She’d been on walks with Ruby in the dead of winter and, despite her misgivings, had always felt better for it.

This wasn’t Ruby, but maybe outside they’d be able to make sense of everything. It was worth trying, because right at that moment she was at a complete loss.

‘Okay.’

‘I’ll wait for you in the mudroom while you get changed,’ he said.

‘It’s all right, I’ll go like this.’

Raising a brow, he looked pointedly at her outfit but remained silent as they headed along the corridor, close but not touching, until reaching the room where a row of coats, jackets, hats, beanies, gloves and scarves suitable for all-weather scenarios hung ready for anyone to grab. She put on a large black padded coat with a hood, as Ethan did the same with a black jacket that he zipped up to his neck.

‘You’re really going to wear those?’ Ethan nodded incredulously at her stilettoed boots when it became apparent she wasn’t going to change into any of the wellingtons lined up along the wall. She was so used to wearing heels, she often joked she could run a marathon in them. She felt overdressed for the outdoors, but she needed her suit of armour, more than ever now, to get through this ordeal.