‘Have you been cooking?’
As they stepped into the kitchen, the answer became clear. The table was set with a bottle of wine and an array of delicious-looking dishes.
Rain couldn’t help but laugh. ‘You always know how to get around me, don’t you?’
Fay, playing the role of a maître d’, pulled out a chair with a flourish. ‘Madam,’ she said, gesturing for Rain to sit.
Rain sat down, and Fay poured them both a glass of wine, the deep red liquid swirling in the glasses. Rain picked up her fork and took a mouthful of food, closing her eyes to savour the explosion of flavours on her tongue.
‘Mmmm,’ she hummed in appreciation, a smile spreading across her face.
‘You like?’ Fay asked, a hint of nervousness in her voice.
Rain opened her eyes. ‘I love.’
Fay’s shoulders relaxed, and she smiled. ‘Good. You taught me well.’
As they continued to eat, Fay took a sip of wine, her expression turning serious.
‘Look, I wanted to say sorry about everything,’ Fay began, her voice low and filled with remorse.
Rain remained focused on her plate, not meeting Fay’s eyes, her guard still up.
‘I know I’ve been irresponsible over the years,’ Fay continued, ‘but I swear, this stuff that happened had nothing to do with me.’
Rain looked up at her sister. ‘You keep alluding to “this stuff”. What exactly is it?’
Fay shifted uncomfortably in her seat. ‘I don’t want to tell you in case the police get involved.’
Rain’s eyes narrowed, a suspicion forming in her mind. ‘Is this to do with Alex?’
Fay nearly choked on her drink, her eyes wide with shock. ‘How’d you know about Alex?’
Rain leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. ‘I got a job at the hotel. I thought it might help to find you.’
Fay’s face fell, visibly distressed. ‘You must be joking. That place is full of snakes. Every single last one of them.’
‘Did you get caught up in Alex’s dealing?’
Fay nodded, her eyes cast downward. ‘But I didn’t know, not at first. She asked me to deliver something to one of the guests. It was an envelope. I thought it was kosher, so the next time she asked, I didn’t think anything of it. But when I handed it to the guest, he asked me if I wanted to get high with him. He took the drugs out of the envelope right in front of me. Fuck, I was such an idiot. I should’ve reported it there and then, but stupid me did nothing.’
Rain rubbed both temples.
‘Go on. Say it then,’ Fay said.
‘I can’t.’
‘Why not?’
‘Because, Fay,’ Rain sighed, ‘I did exactly the same thing.’
‘What’d you mean?’
‘I mean, I saw Alex selling drugs to a guest, and I turned a blind eye,’ Rain said. She paused before dropping another bombshell. ‘And I kind of had a thing going on with Lauren.’
‘What! No way.’
Rain remained silent, her eyes fixed on the glass in her hand. Fay leaned forward.
‘Fucking hell, Lauren. She’s married.’
‘Yes, I know,’ Rain snapped, her defences rising. ‘And please don’t look down at me from your pedestal – you’re not exactly—’
‘I don’t mean it like that,’ Fay cut her off.
There was something in the way Fay looked at her that sent alarm bells ringing.
‘Oh my god, Fay. Were you having an affair with Lauren’s husband?’
Chapter Thirty
Lauren pulled up to the quaint cottage nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds. The old stone building, with its thatched roof and ivy-covered walls, was exactly how she’d envisioned it. As she walked up the cobbled path, her grandmother’s words echoed in her mind, as if urging her to embrace this opportunity for a fresh start. Lauren turned the key in the lock, and the heavy wooden door opened, revealing a cosy, open-plan interior bathed in soft, natural light.
Entering, Lauren took a moment to take in her surroundings, appreciating its rustic charm. Her eyes were drawn to the large fireplace in the living room, and she decided to make this space her temporary bedroom. She returned to her car, making several trips to bring in her belongings until the living room was filled with the essentials she needed to transform the space into her own personal sanctuary.
She plugged in the air bed, dressed it with fresh covers and plump pillows, and stocked the kitchen with the utensils and cutlery she had brought along. Her clothes remained in the suitcase, as she had no intention of venturing out for the next few days. Instead, planning to stay indoors and rest.
With her new home set up, Lauren set off to the local shop, stocking up on food and several bags of logs for the fireplace.
