“I didn’t do it. I didn’t, and if you’ll just let me speak then-”
“Neve?” And there’s the young one coming to join in, followed by Scott behind her. I watch them all from my corner, my back leaning on the wall and my arms crossed to stop me getting involved. “Where have you been? And what the hell’s going on? Daddy’s dead, and you were there and-”
“I know,” Neve says quietly, looking at her. “I know, and I’m sorry, Seffi, but it isn’t what you think.”
“What is it then?” Ivy spits, crowding her again. “Because it looks a lot like you killed him.”
“Do you really believe that? Ivy, give me a chance to talk. I can’t think with you shouting and-”
“THINK?” she screams. “You’ve had all the time in the world to fucking think while we’ve been dealing with our dead father and a distraught mother. Not to mention the funeral.”
“I know, and I’m sorry about that, but-”
“How dare you? Sorry? Don’t you bloody well come in here and start pretending you’re sorry when you couldn’t even be bothered to come to the funeral and show some respect!”
I move, pissed enough at that one thing to get involved. “She was there. She was in the woods. Cried as much as you did. Back off.” All five heads turn to look at me, Neve trying to smile as a show of thanks about that. “You need to let her speak.”
“She was here, and you didn’t tell us?” Ivy shouts.
“Yes. Calm your mouth down.”
Blake instantly scowls at me, taking a half step in front of Ivy. Don’t care. I’m not here to fight with anyone, but if they don’t let Neve speak, she’s never gonna find the headspace she needs to get this making sense for them.
The heavy sound of expensive shoes suddenly enters the area, and they all look up to see the lord of the manor walking in. He frowns at everyone, and everything, and then starts making his way over to Neve. She moves backwards, tear-filled eyes flicking between his and everyone else’s. Panic’s setting in now. I can see it in every move she’s making, every breath she’s trying to take. Still, I stand where I am and let it unfold how it’s going to. No point in me making matters worse than they already are, and whilst Landon might be a dick, at least he’s the most logical one of the four.
He looks over at me before getting to her, the frown just as focused at me as it is everyone else. “You've known where she's been all along?” I’m about to lie, about to let him know that I did my job and nothing else, and then some part of me just gives the fuck in.
“Yes.”
“I don’t care where the hell she’s been. I want the truth,” Ivy again.
I roll my eyes at the hysterics, part ready to shut her mouth down for her, but Landon tries doing it for me with nothing but his presence moving into her. She glares and walks around him, still not giving an inch on having her say, and starts poking Neve in the chest.
“Talk, Neve. All of it. Give me some reason that’s anywhere near good enough for your behaviour.”
It takes ten seconds more of that, of Ivy’s mouth and digging and all their accusing eyes glaring at Neve, before she screams at Ivy and bolts out of the room in a fit of tears. Every fucking part of me wants to go after her as I watch Ivy move at speed to chase her down. I can feel it vibrating all over my skin as if I’m the only one who’s going to try giving her some airtime. I don’t move, though. Not one fucking inch.
Not my problem to deal with.
The young one starts crying, and then Blake huffs and goes after Ivy. I look at Scott as he puts his arm around the baby of the family, watching as he offers comfort and pulls her close to him. Fucking annoying. Not them, but what it’s making me feel inside knowing Neve’s now alone wherever she’s gone. She’s scared, tired, and worn down by everything she’s been through. And these fucks are just ready to blame her for everything without even a chance at explanation?
Willow arrives from somewhere, her gaze taking in everything that's going down in here, and then Landon moves into my eyeline, cutting through the bullshit with his size and loud steps. They both head for a drinks tray, where she starts pouring a large Scotch like a good girl would.
“Sit down, Locke,” he says.
“No.” Not ready for sitting. “I’m alright whereI am.”
His face proves there isn’t one inch of calm going on inside that offer of cool. Don’t care. I’ve done my job. She’s back, and that should be enough for me to be walking straight the fuck out of here. Instead, I’m still standing here, ready to defend her, for some reason I’m not ready to process right now.
“Why didn’t you bring her back sooner?” he asks, before downing the drink. I wait, unsure what to say to that. Not like I can explain our deal, is it? “Locke?”
“She said she didn’t do it. I believed her.”
“And you think you had a right to-”
“Well, she’s locked herself in her bloody room now,” Ivy snaps, storming across the room.
“She just needs some space,” Willow interjects.
