Page 155 of The Cottage at Brambleton Hall

Both faces were glued to the screen. ‘Close that door will you, Sam love, it’s letting in the cold air.’

Sammy marched into the room, picked up the remote and switched the television off.

Jimmy blinked at the blank screen. ‘What did you do that for?’

Chloe leaned forward, one hand outstretched. ‘I was winning there . . . I knew the right answer. Give that back.’

Sammy clung on to the remote. ‘No.’

Chloe stared at her. ‘Don’t be ridiculous, Sam.’

‘I need you both to go.’

‘What’s this, then?’ asked Jimmy.

‘I’ve been let go,’ Sammy said. ‘Because of this. Because I didn’t keep things separate.’

Chloe shook her head. ‘That’s not on you.’

‘It is.’

Jimmy frowned. ‘It’s not your fault – you should never have been blamed for helping your best friend.’

‘I’m not talking about blame or what has happened.’ Sammy set down the remote on the table, out of reach. ‘I’m talking about what happens next.’

Chloe’s expression showed irritation sharpening. ‘What happens next is: you don’t panic. You take a minute; you think it through . . .’

‘I have. I need the cottage clear,’ Sammy said. ‘Tonight.’

Chloe sat back. ‘Tonight?’

‘Yes.’

‘Don’t be daft,’ Chloe said. ‘Where am I meant to go?’

Sammy looked at her, then at Jimmy. ‘You’ve got him.’

Chloe’s mouth tightened. ‘That’s not the point.’

‘It is.’

‘You’re tired, Sam. You don’t mean this.’

‘I do.’

Chloe’s face crumpled, hurt slipping through now. ‘After I’ve come all this way to see you.’

‘I didn’t ask you to.’

Chloe pushed herself up from the sofa, pacing a step, then back again. ‘This is mad. Honestly. You’ve had a bad day and now you’re throwing everyone out.’

‘I need the cottage clear,’ Sammy said. ‘Tonight.’

‘You do this Sam,’ she said, quieter now. ‘You take it all on, then shut everyone out.’

Sammy felt that. It didn’t move her. ‘I’m not turning on you.’

‘Feels like it,’ Chloe said.