She shrugged. “I knew Mum picked on you, I saw her grabbing you too hard when we were growing up, and I was still a little shit. Then what I did in that nightclub was horrendous. I actually did feel ashamed after that, but I was too proud to admit it.”
“What the hell are you talking about, Becky?” Gareth asked in a now weary voice.
“I invited Victoria out with us, took her to this nightclub, and left her in the crush, knowing it would stress her out. But I didn’t realise…”
“You didn’t realise how full-on my meltdown would be,” I put in. “You didn’t know I’d collapse on the dance floor. That I’d have to be carried out.”
“My God, Becky,” Gareth breathed as he scrubbed his hands down his face. “As if this family hadn’t done enough to her.”
“I’m so sorry, Vicky,” Rebecca said in a small voice, using my preferred name for the first time in years. There were actual tears in her eyes now. “I was jealous of you.”
“Jealous?” I frowned at her. “What was there to be jealous of?”
“You were successful, beautiful. You had a whole other family that were way posher than mine.”
My eyebrows went up. “It never occurred to me that you could possibly be jealous of me.”
Rebecca shook her head. “You’ve never seen yourself clearly. I was a jealous, bitter shrew when I should have been grateful for the financial support you still offered me and Mum that we didn’t deserve. And there’s no excuse for Darrell.”
“Rebecca!” snapped Mum. “What are you saying? Darrell is?—”
“Darrell is a rapey dickhead is what he is.” Rebecca cut her off then looked at me. “Loads of my mates have come forward, actually. Seems he’s been super gross for ages now, but they didn’t want to say anything. Some of them want to go to the coppers to back you up, Vicky. I’m going to tell them to do it.”
“Rebecca!” Mum shouted.
“I’ve dumped him, Mum,” she told her. “It doesn’t matter how much money he’s got, or any of that bullshit now. We’regetting the marriage annulled. I’m not staying with someone who assaulted my sister, and frankly, you’re a psycho for encouraging me to. But then again, you’re a psycho all the way around. I only agreed to meet Vicky with you today to apologise.”
“But what will everyone think?” Mum said in horror.
“Who the fuck cares what any of your stuck-up friends think?” roared Gareth. “If you weren’t so wrapped up in what everyone else thinks, maybe you wouldn’t have abused your own daughter for being a bit different and then extorted money from her to put on that ridiculous wedding. Right, come on, Becky, love, we’re leaving.”
“Leaving?” Mum screeched. “What do you mean?”
“I’m moving out, and Becky’s coming with me, Janet. She’s already been exposed to way too much of your toxicity. Hopefully, it’s not too late for her to turn her life around.”
Rebecca was at her father’s side now. They paused in front of me on their way out while Mum screamed obscenities in the background.
“Take care of yourself, cariad,” said Gareth. “Uh… is this okay?” He held his arms out.
I nodded, and he pulled me in for a very brief, firm hug.
“I’m always here, you know,” he said into my hair. “You probably won’t ever want my help, but I’m always here if you need me. Wish I had been from the beginning, but that’s a mark on my soul that I’ll just have to live with.”
He set me back and moved to the door, then Rebecca was in front of me, too. “Sorry again,” she whispered, tucking her hair behind her ears.
I gave her a nod, and thankfully, she didn’t attempt a hug, but instead, moved out of the house with her father.
“Right,” said Margot smartly. “We’ve wasted enough time in this hovel, Vicky. Let’s be off. Janet, it’s been an absolutedispleasure. I’ll be in touch about your eviction.” Then shesimply guided me out and shut the door on my mother’s ranting and raving.
Half an hour later, I was in the drawing room of Buckingham Manor with a fancy china cup of tea in front of me, and a cat sitting in my lap. I could have argued with Margot, but I didn’t think it would have been productive. She had asked my driver to take my car to the Manor, while I was hustled into her car. Apparently, we needed to have a “little chat,” and she wasn’t taking no for an answer.
“How did you know I was at Mum’s house?” I asked Margot.
“Oh, that,” Margot said dismissively as she lifted her teacup from its saucer to take a small sip.
We were sitting opposite each other on the ancient but very comfortable armchairs, overlooking the grounds. Somehow, the staff had already rustled up a multi-tiered tray of small cakes and cucumber sandwiches on the table next to us.
“When it became clear to me that I had neglected my duty regarding your welfare, and that I could not fully trust you to act in your own best interests, I decided to have a discreet team of private security follow you. They knew to inform me of any unusual activity,especiallyin the event of your mother or sister approaching you, or indeed, if you should go to them.”
