Page 67 of Plot Twist

With Jackie back on the scene, I had a whole new layer of worry to add to my pile. I just kept heaping things on top, without resolving anything. As the pile got bigger and bigger, it was bound to tumble over at some point.

‘Ivy,’ I said. ‘What is that song you’re humming?’

She grinned up at me.

‘It’s my favourite nursery rhyme,’ she explained.

‘Oh really, what is it?’

‘“Let’s Get Down to Business”,’ she replied. ‘We dance to it on a Friday at nursery.’

She sang the Tiësto song in a deep voice while her little body swayed to the off-key rhythm. I threw my head back and laughed harder than I thought I could right now.

This wee girl deserved the whole world. She was sweet, sensitive and absolutely hilarious. There was no way I could stand in the way of her happiness. And she wanted her mammy, not some wannabe replacement.

Whatever Jackie had done in the past, she was back now. But where the hell did that leave me?

30

We sat down for ‘grown-up talk’ as soon as Ivy was asleep. I wasn’t planning to make this all about me but I had to tell them, at some point, my doubts about staying any longer. How could I stay? I dreaded going back to Glasgow but I couldn’t remain here forever, pretending. I’d inadvertently stolen Jackie’s life, but now she was back, I had to go.

What was that expression Riley had used? Shit or get off the pot. I had to get off the pot. It wasn’t mine.

‘You could stay with us,’ Bridget said. ‘You don’t have to go, you know.’

It’s what I wanted to hear but the niggling feeling in the pit of my stomach reminded me that I couldn’t. I’d gone too far with Riley. I should have waited to hear what he had to say about his relationship with Jackie. I had no idea what I was getting myself into here.

‘I’m sorry. I know I promised to help you out with your new business. And I’d really like to. But I came here thinking I was staying with a friend and, well, it’s not exactly turned out like that.’

‘I thought you and Riley were getting on well. He said you were even funnier in real life,’ she said, and then her voice dropped to a low whisper, making sure Ivy couldn’t hear. ‘He seems to really like you, Becca.’

My whole body tingled as I thought back to a few hours ago on the bed at the cottage. His smile. His kiss. Everything that followed. I shook my head.

‘It’s not that,’ I said, taking a sip of the wine that Bridget had just handed me as she headed back to the kitchen. ‘I really like him too. But if he’s going to make it work with Jackie, they’ll need space, not a lodger.’

‘You like him too? Wait. . . Did something happen between you and Riley?’ Ellie asked, leaning forward.

‘Wait, wait, wait! Do NOT answer that until I’m back in the room,’ Bridget called from the kitchen.

I hesitated. Should I tell them what had happened at the cottages? It didn’t feel right to tell Riley’s sister. Not like I had gory details or anything, but to break the news when her ex-sister-in-law had just returned out of the blue. . . I took a gulp of red wine. It was just as well Bridget wanted me to wait. I didn’t know what to say.

So I ignored the question.

Ellie opened her mouth to speak.

‘I SAID WAIT,’ Bridget called, rushing back into the room and plonking herself down on the sofa. ‘OK, I’m back now. Spill the tea, sister. We need details. I’ll pretend he’s not my brother when it gets to the juicy bits. Or I’ll cover my ears. Go.’

‘Bridget, maybe she doesn’t want to talk about this. . .’ Ellie suggested.

‘It’s fine,’ I sighed. ‘He said he’d tell me a bit more about what happened with Jackie. And then you called. So maybe you could tell me what happened between them? So I know how much I’m. . . getting in the way.’

Wine in hand, I was desperate to hear everything now. All the details.

‘God, where do I start with Jackie?’ Bridget asked and Ellie rolled her eyes. ‘I never thought they were compatible. She wanted to party all night and sleep all day. He was never one of those people. He enjoys the odd drink but she needed it. And worse. She was into drugs, too. Couldn’t have a night out without something. That was it, at first.’

‘Yup,’ Ellie joined in. ‘She was off her face every time I saw her. She was putting stuff up her nose. And she didn’t seem to know when to stop.’

‘No way,’ I said. ‘That can’t be true. She seems so. . . normal.’