Page 66 of Storm's Deliverance

“Yeah, apparently not scared of them enough to stop him beating you and leaving you for dead,” she counters.

I open my mouth; the words caught in my throat. “He wouldn’t… he just wouldn’t,” I repeat.

“Who are you trying to convince? Yourself or me? The man chained you to the heater and left you for dead. You were severely dehydrated, and if it had been a day or two later, you would have been dead. I have no doubt that Zeke is capable of this,” she says with an angry bite in her tone.

“I was there, Maisy. I remember every single thing he did to me. I remember the agony I felt when his fist slammed into my face, when his foot stamped down on my ribs… Maybe I’m in denial that it’s him, and maybe I am kidding myself. Or maybe, just fucking maybe, I don’t want to believe that my ex is the one responsible for killing an innocent man. All because of me!” I yell. My resolve shatters as tears stings my eyes, pain and anger pumping through my body.

Maisy’s eyes soften. “I’m sorry, I…” She swallows, looking down at her hands. “There’s just, I’m just—” She stops herself and shakes her head, forcing a small smile on her face. “You know what? It doesn’t matter. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have spoken out of turn.”

I take a slow and steady breath. “It’s okay, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped.” Maisy looks up at me, her eyes brimming with tears. I frown, concerned. “Shit, I didn’t mean to be a bitch and make you cry,” I apologise.

She waves me off, blinking back the tears. “It’s not you, honestly. I’m good. Just due on. You know how it is,” she brushes off.

I am about to press her, knowing she’s withholding something, when Dad marches into the bar. “Memorial now. In the orchard,” he orders everyone sharply.

I remember when Dad started planting the apple trees. He told us it was for us to eat more fruit. Since then, it’s become a place where our loved ones have been buried. Rage’s first dog, Erebus, Queenie, and now Rusty. I grab Maisy’s hand and give it a gentle squeeze. She squeezes mine back, before we follow everyone and say our final goodbyes to Rusty.