AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘Lovely in here, isn’t it?’ said Jackie, looking around.
‘Yes, but everyone Marielle lets into it seems to take advantage,’ said Diana. Sabrina didn’t know what to say to that but the air was full of threat and she hadn’t a clue why.
‘Now, Marielle won’t tell you this herself, so I’m charged with doing it for her,’ said Diana, hard-smiling. ‘Kindly pack up your things and leave.’ She turned to her left. ‘Jackie.’
Jackie pulled an envelope out of her pocket and handed it to Sabrina.
‘There’s two hundred quid in there. The bus stop is on the front just by the deckchair rental, you’ll need the number sixty-four. There’s a women’s refuge in Slattercove. Beach Street, easy enough to remember but I’ve written it on the envelope. Ask the bus driver to tell you when to get off.’
Sabrina’s head began to whirl.
‘Marielle wants me to leave?’
‘Got it in one,’ said Bev, who wasn’t smiling in any shape or form.
So it wasn’t her imagination then. Mariellehadbeen off with her. Had she outstayed her welcome and she hadn’t dared tell her? What else could it be?
‘Of course I’ll go.’
‘Aren’t you even going to ask why?’ asked Diana, taking the fact she hadn’t as a sure sign of guilt.
‘Does Marielle feel that I’ve taken advantage of her? I never wanted that to happen.’
The women looked at each other, exchanging amused glances.
‘Just get your stuff,’ said Diana. ‘We’ll wait.’
Sabrina felt as if something had reached inside her and scooped out her centre. Her thoughts were tumbling over themselves trying to work out what she’d done to Marielle that was so bad she couldn’t say it to her face, so had sent aposse of people round to evict her so speedily. She walked into the bedroom and picked up the black bag she’d been putting her dirty laundry in and loaded it with her work clothes and her blue ensemble that she’d worn to go on the Ciaoissimo trail with Teddy. It didn’t take long to collect all her worldly possessions and they all fitted in that one bag. She exited the room for the last time, leaving the envelope on the bed. She had no idea what this was all about, but she had done nothing to be paid off for.
She walked past the file of women, feeling their eyes boring into her. They followed her down the stairs and out of the front door. It was raining heavily and Sabrina’s charity-shop blue jacket wouldn’t afford her much protection but it was hard for any of the women to find sympathy for her. They were all thinking a variation of,As ye sow, so shall ye reap.
‘Bus stop’s just down there,’ said Diana pointing. ‘I’ll take the key, thank you.’
Sabrina put it in her awaiting palm and Diana’s fingers snapped shut on it like a Venus flytrap. She started walking, then turned back to find them all waiting to make sure she’d gone. ‘I really don’t know what I’ve done to upset Marielle, but would you please just tell her that I’m so grateful for what she did for me. I’ll pay her back every single penny.’
Well if that wasn’t an admission, what was?they all thought collectively.
‘On your way, now,’ said Diana, shooing her off like the rubbish she was.
‘Let’s have another cup of tea,’ said Sylvie.
Marielle laughed. ‘Sylvie, I can’t fit another drop in. And why do you keep looking at the clock? Have you had enough of me?’
‘I don’t, do I?’ Sylvie replied with a laughing apology. Her phone beeped in her bag and she reached down to pull it out. She read the text she’d been waiting for.
She’s gone.
Sylvie shoved it back in her bag and prepared to lie. ‘From Tim. Do I fancy going out for dinner, he says. I don’t think so. I’ll still be digesting this till Christmas.’
‘It was a real treat, thank you,’ said Marielle.
‘You deserve it. You’re a lovely friend. Far too nice for your own good.’
Marielle laughed. ‘Okay, what are you after?’
‘Nothing. And I mean it.’ Sylvie leaned over the table, put her extra-serious face on, placed her hand over Marielle’s and said, ‘Darling, I know.’
‘Know what?’ said Marielle.
