Nancy sighed. ‘There are plenty of options open to us, either via the company and HR, by dealing directly with Shane and confronting him and as you say, giving her the money to pay him back. We’ll sort out the Harley thing another day but for now, there are more urgent matters we need to discuss.’
Molly turned slightly to look at her aunt. ‘That all sounded very official. This is about Mum and the will, isn’t it? And whatever was on her mind before she died because I know something was, and it’s to do with Shane.’
At that Nancy inhaled, as though the mere mention of his name angered her. ‘I know you think I’ve been acting weird, holding off the will reading until after the funeral but in my own way, I’ve been protecting you and Dee. I knew you couldn’t takeanother tsunami and frankly, I don’t think I could’ve dealt with one either on top of losing your mum. We’ve all been through the mill which is why I needed to talk to you alone. Somewhere private. Without the prospect of Shane or Dee interrupting.’
Molly nodded. ‘I understand.’
‘At least Magda can keep an eye on Dee while we’re out. That woman is a saint.’
‘I agree. She’s been wonderful, hasn’t she?’ Molly took a sip of coffee. It was still too hot, and it scalded her tongue but it was Nancy’s stalling that pained her more.
‘He’sgone to work,’ she said, almost to herself. ‘Like everything’s normal. Like we didn’t just bury my mother.’
Nancy said nothing.
‘By all accounts,’ Molly went on, her tone laced with disbelief, ‘he’s acting like he owns ClearGlass.’
Again, silence.
Molly looked over. ‘You don’t look surprised.’
‘I’m not.’
‘Why?’
Nancy set her coffee down on the bench. She rubbed her hands together, then exhaled through her nose. ‘Because your mother saw it coming, that one day he’d back her into a corner and try to ruin her or the company, or both, if he didn’t get his way, and I think he knows he’s running out of options,’ she said softly.
Molly’s breath caught. ‘I need to ask you something,’ she said, turning to Nancy. ‘And I need you to be honest with me.’
Nancy looked at her warily.
‘What were you and Mum planning? Did she tell you why the marriage turned sour? Was it just the age gap or… was there more?’
Nancy hesitated. Her throat worked. Molly could feel the tension radiating from her.
‘Please,’ Molly pressed, ‘I need to know and that’s why we’re here, isn’t it?’
Nancy lowered her eyes. ‘I’m in a terrible position, Molly. There are things you don’t know. Things your mother kept secret. Things she always knew might come out one day.’
Molly’s heart began to pound. She’d been waiting for this, ever since she’d overheard her mum on the phone to Nancy. She remembered every word –‘We’ve come this far so we just have to hang on, then once she’s gone he can do what he wants. And I’m so done with secrets. If she finds out, so be it. Me and you can deal with it together and explain it all to her.’
‘Secrets?’
Nancy nodded slowly. ‘Yes. Things me and your mum kept from the family for a long time.’
‘What secrets?’ Molly asked, the words barely audible.
Nancy turned to face her. Her eyes were glassy with tears. She reached out, took Molly’s hand. ‘Secrets about you.’
Molly’s body went cold. ‘Me?’
‘Your mother was going to tell you. In time. But the right time never came. And now… now it falls to me.’
Molly tried to speak but nothing came out.
Nancy squeezed her hand. ‘She didn’t want it to be like this. In fact she never wanted you to know and if you did, to be older and certainly not when you’re drowning in grief.’
‘What are you talking about?’
