Kate shrugged. ‘Well, as I said, each to their own. What can I do for you, anyway?’
‘Nothing, thanks. I came to give Evin a gift and to see how they both are in light of the last few days.’
‘Oh, you mean the Donny thing?’
‘Yes, I mean the Donny thing. His lies and betrayal, to be exact.’
Kate folded her arms across her chest, her stance becoming defensive. ‘It wasn’talllies.’
Juliette tried to keep her opinions to herself. She really tried.Sohard. But nope, they had to be expressed. She mirrored the stance of her nemesis. ‘I’m afraid pretty much everything that horrible little man reported back to you was lies.’
Kate tilted her head and smirked. ‘Andhowlong have you lived here?’
‘I don’t live here, but I do know a confession when I hear one. I heard Donny admit to everything. And I’ve spent a lot of time with Reid, so I know what he’s been going through too. Donny stomped all over his heartandhis life completely unnecessarily.’
Kate pursed her lips. ‘Look, I know you mean well, Sheila, but you don’t know as much as you think you do.’
I know that you slept with your husband’s brother, then you ran off and abandoned your son. And I know that you broke the heart of a kind and generous man. And that you think you can come in and play the hero, her conscience screamed at her.
‘It’sJules. And, yes, you’re right, Idoonly mean well. I know it’s nothing to do with me, but I hate to see someone plastered with dirt without reason. It sticks. And that seems unfair. I’m still shocked that you’re actually taking Evin away, seeing as it wasn’t a court-instructed thing.’
Kate huffed in apparent exasperation. ‘It’s got nothing to do with you. This was a decision made by Evin’s parents. It’s what’s best for him. He needs a stable home with two parents and that’s what he’s going to have from now on. And anyway, Reid will still get to see him. He realises that the boy is better with me.’
Juliette snorted. ‘I highly doubt that that’s how Reid feels.’
Kate jutted out her chin. ‘Look, have you come to stir up shit? Because I haven’t got the time. I need to finish gathering mine and Evin’s stuff.’ She gave a fake smile this time.
‘No, I haven’t come to stir up shit. Like I said, I was only calling to drop off a gift and check in on myfriend. I’m just concerned about how he’s handling today.’
Kate waved a dismissive hand. ‘I can take the gift formyson and, don’t worry, yourfriend’sfine. Can’t say the same for his brother though.’ The little smirk wasn’t lost on Juliette.
‘What’s happened to Kendric?’
Kate narrowed her eyes. ‘Let’s just say he’s gone home with a black eye and wounded pride.’
Juliette clenched her teeth. ‘I can’t believe you’re finding amusement in this. And I’m sure ReidandEvin are anything but fine. I hope you’re happy with yourself.’
Kate stepped forward and hissed through clenched teeth, ‘Don’t judge those you don’t know anything about, lady. This has nothing at all to do with you.’ As if realising she was verging on threatening behaviour, she straightened up and fiddled with her hair, feigning innocence. ‘And, anyway, Reid’ll probably be glad to get shot of Evin. He’s a little monster when the mood takes him. He’ll be glad of the tidiness and the peace and quiet. It should bemeyou’re worried about. I’ve got to put up with all that now. It’s a good thing I love the little sod.’ She had the audacity to follow this with a laugh.
Juliette gasped at the way Kate referred to her own son as if he was a badly trained animal or a possession to be easily discarded. Even if it was a joke, it was in very bad taste under the circumstances. Her nostrils flared involuntarily. ‘As you said, it’s none of my business, but I can assure you Reid is in no way glad toget shot, as you put it. He’s heartbroken, Kate. YouleftEvin without explanation. He’s been happy with hisdadever since, because that’s what Reid is to Evin, his dad, and no amount of paternity tests will change that. And I happen to know Evin wants to stay here. So, now that you know the truth about Donny’s lies and the whole situation, maybe you should rethink things? That way you won’t have toput upwith him.’ She immediately clamped her mouth shut. A feeling of déjà vu rattled around her mind from the time she delivered those horrible home truths to Reid. She needed to learn to keep her mouth shut and her nose out of other people’s business.
Juliette held her breath and waited for Kate to slap her or, at the very least, hurl abuse at her.
Kate scowled and curled her lip, but she spoke through gritted teeth once again. ‘Well, maybe you should go home, eh? And keep out of things that don’t concern you. And, for your information, I’ll be rethinking nothing.’ She snatched the gift from Juliette’s hand. ‘Bye,Sheila,’ she spat and turned to go back to the house. ‘Come on,dog!’ she shouted harshly at poor Chewie.
After hesitating and glancing up at Juliette to see if perhaps she had a better offer, the poor animal reluctantly headed after her into the house.
* * *
Back at home, Juliette paced the floor. She contemplated calling Millie, Caitlin or her mum, but was worried about tying up the line in case Reid tried to get through. Rain pounded at the windows and thunder rumbled overhead intermittently; more the typical weather for September.
The later it got, the more agitated she became until she forced herself to open a bottle of wine and sit down. She clicked on the radio and tried to distract herself with music, but her mind insisted on wandering, regardless.
It was almost ten o’clock.Kate must have gone by now. She picked up her mobile and considered shooting off a text to Kendric to find out what had happened but thought better of it; she didn’t want to appear to be taking his side. She was just considering to whom she should reach out, and what to say, when there was a knock on the front door.
Juliette placed her glass of wine on the table and dashed down the hallway. A slumped silhouette was visible through the glass and she presumed it was Kendric, out on a drunken self-pity party again. She unlocked the latch.
She gasped as she was greeted with the sight of a rain-soaked Reid, wearing a thin T-shirt and jeans. He looked frozen and was shaking violently. ‘Come in! Quickly! You’ll catch your death out there!’
