by Mark Ayre
Not today. As the blow forced Abbie to the side and towards the ground, she focused not on her counter-attack but on not sliding over the edge. She did this by coming down on all fours right in front of Gray.
He kicked her in the stomach. With a roar, she rolled towards Ariana, who kicked her back towards Gray.
This was bad.
Abbie tried to rise. Gray grabbed her top, lifted her in the air, and hurled her to the ground. She came to her knees and crossed her arms in front of her face and chest as his next boot came.
His kick split her arms and caused another shout of pain. Then he was on her. He lifted her up, threw her down. Kicked her onto her front. As she pushed herself up, he grabbed her under the arms and yanked her to her feet, her back pressed to his chest.
Abbie wriggled. Gray released her for a second. Long enough to punch her stomach. Then he had her again and was pulling tighter than ever. She kicked the floor, and Gray took two steps back, then stopped. The wind whipped across the balcony. Abbie wondered where Alice was.
There were more pressing concerns.
Ariana was facing Abbie, who was still held by Gray. As Ana stepped forward, she revealed an eight-inch blade, sharp enough to effortlessly pierce Abbie's chest plate and end her life.
“You’re working for Louis," said Ariana. Her eyes were still the eyes of an unbalanced woman. She no longer looked furious. Now more upset. As though Abbie and Ana had been great friends, and Ana could not comprehend why Abbie had attacked her. “You killed my sister.”
“I did no such thing,” said Abbie. “Nor did Louis, and even if he did, what you tried to do to Jacob in retaliation was unforgivable.
“I don’t care," said Ana. “I don’t care.”
“I think you do,” said Abbie. “I think one day soon you’ll wish for forgiveness.”
“From who?” said Ariana, and the words broke as they spilt from her mouth, and Abbie understood what she was saying.
“You think you can sacrifice your humanity because the people whose opinions you cared about are gone. I get that, believe me. But it doesn’t work that way. The grief won’t go away but nor will it always burn like this. Don’t take actions in your despair you’ll be unable to reverse when things get better.”
“I’m not looking for a pep talk. My sister is gone. I’ll make you pay.”
"You don't have to do this," said Abbie. “Your mum says you’re the smartest of her children. I’ve seen a couple of pictures of you as a kid, and that intelligence was always evident in your eyes. Even alongside the happiness on the day you smiled for the camera while massaging your mother’s bump. While preparing to welcome Aurora into the world."
“You’re describing a dead girl,” said Ariana. “She died with my sister. That Ariana is gone.”
“She doesn’t have to be. Just because the people we love are gone does not give us an excuse to stop living up to their standards. Would Aurora want you to stab me? Would your father?”
“My father would never know," said Ana. "He was usually too busy screwing his mistresses to take much notice of what I was up to. Or looking after Aurora and Ollie. Morris had two kids, and somehow I was still his third favourite child. How pathetic is that?"
"I'm sure it's not true."
"And I'm sure you're buying time. You think mum's going to rush out and save you?"
"She's agreed to a ceasefire with Angel, at least until tonight. You have to hear her out."
"No," said Ana.
She approached Abbie with caution. Perhaps due to a reticence to commit this heinous act. Abbie didn't believe Ana had killed before and got the sense she was forcing herself now. Ariana thought her soul had died the night someone murdered Aurora. She was determined to prove herself right.
She was also wary of what Abbie might do. The way Ana glanced at Abbie's feet suggested she believed Abbie was going to lift her legs in an attempt to boot Ariana backwards before the murderous Rayner could attack.
On another day, maybe Abbie would have done just that. It left you open to getting a knife in the foot but was usually the best way to handle a frontal attack when your arms were restrained.
Today was different. If Abbie landed a kick on Ariana, Ana would go down, but the net result would be Gray taking a step back. Abbie didn't know how close they were to the cliff edge. A single step could spell the end for both Gray and Abbie.
Luckily, Abbie had an alternative.
Ana launched. Abbie lifted her legs. Ana had been watching and swerved a little before bringing the knife towards Abbie's chest at an angle.
No sooner had Abbie raised her feet—as Ana started to swerve—she slammed them back down, pulled forward her head and smashed it into Gray's nose. At the same time, she twisted away from the blade.
Gray's arms came free as he reached for his face. The knife swiped Abbie's arm, sliced her new top, and disappeared into Gray's chest.
Abbie hit the ground. Ariana was staring at her handiwork. Still standing but already swaying, blood trickling down his top, Gray met his girlfriend's eyes.
"I'm sorry," said Ana. "I didn't mean... this was her fault." She pointed at Abbie then looked back to Gray. "Oh, baby, I'm sorry."
"What's going on?"
Abbie and Ana turned to see Alice step onto the balcony. Behind her was Tony and behind him, Angel. Only the tip of the sun remained above the ocean. The light from the bar spilt over the newcomers' shoulders.
"This is what she does," shouted Ariana, pointing at Abbie. "She's poison, mum, and you let her in. You did this. You killed my Gray."
"Did I?" said Alice. "Darling, did I thrust the knife into his chest? Did Abbie? Or was it you?"
"Ana, move away from the edge," said Abbie. Because Gray wasn't dead. "Let me help your boyfriend."
Ana wasn't listening. Her face crumpled. Tears spilt from her eyes and seemed to wash away the hate, the vitriol.
“I lost my little sister," said Ana to her mum. “I lost my dad, and you went away. You left us all alone, mum. You left us.“
Abbie was rising, Gray stepped back—
“Oh, sweetheart,” said Alice. “Oh, sweetie.”
Alice raised her arms and came towards her daughter as Gray's foot found nothing but air. Realising he was falling, he desperately grabbed for anything that might keep him up.
The only thing in reach was Ariana's arm.
Gray fell.
Abbie dived.
The weight of her boyfriend's muscular frame gave Ana no chance. When he disappeared over the edge, she was yanked back with a scream.
Abbie reached out, grabbed Ana's fingers.
Felt them slip away.
As Gray and Ariana fell over the balcony, disappearing into the sea as the last of the sun sank beneath the horizon.
Twenty-Seven
Three seconds of silence passed, during which Alice stared after her daughter. Lines of misery creased the birthday girl's face before she gathered herself and swung towards the bar door.
Angel blocked her way.
“Move,” said Alice. "We need to call the coast guard."
Angel snorted. Her face showed not a hint of misery following her sister's fall. She waved a hand to signal her mother back.
"Don't be stupid," she said. "You call the coast guard and what? They drag up your daughter's battered, drowned corpse. You think you could handle that?"
"She might be alive."
"Unlikely," said Angel, "but if you're honest with yourself, would that even be better?"
There were feet on the stairs, then down the hall and into the kitchen.
"What are you talking about?" said Alice. "Your sister's drowning. We need to save her."
"If we save her, how will you learn? No, mother, I won't allow it. For nine years, I kept our business thriving and our house in order. You're back six months, and look what happens. A rival almost robs us; your youngest daughter dies. Now, this." Angel gestured to where Ariana had fallen. "We can't save her, mum. You need to l
earn what happens when you let your family down. After all, if you'd dealt with Abbie when you first learned what she'd done to Ana like I said you should, we wouldn't be in this mess."
Alice's fists were clenched. Abbie rose as Ollie entered the bar, and someone knocked at the door.
"You can't be serious," said Alice. "You can't be willing to let your sister die to prove a point."
"Mum?" It was Ollie.
"Go and answer the door, sweetie," said Angel.
"Move out of my way," said Alice.
"I can't."
"Mum, what's going—“
"I said, answer the door, Ollie. Do not make me ask you a third time."
Abbie couldn't see the boy's face but could imagine the fear in his eyes. She heard his feet twist and rush back into the kitchen and towards the front door.
"Angel," said Tony. "You have to move."
Angel offered her brother a look of appalled derision. "Have you slept with our enemy yet? I do wonder how we'll rehabilitate you."
"By your standards, we never will. Now, get out the way."
The front door opened. Angel sighed and removed a heavy silver handgun from her handbag. It was too big for her hand, but she bore the weight well. With a shake, she shooed her mum and brother from the door.
"You're going to want to do what I say. Which for now is stand back and be pleasant to my date."
Ollie led the way into the bar from the kitchen. Angel stepped forward, allowing him onto the balcony. He was staring at his mother, his body trembling.
"Mum, what did you do?"
Angel's look did her talking. How dare you question me, boy. Don't be so pathetic.
Someone else entered the bar.
"Hey, honey," said Angel. "Come on through, I'm glad you could make it."
"Angel," Alice whispered. "What’s going on?”
"Comeuppance," said Angel. "Come on, beautiful."
They watched as Angel's date stepped into the light then onto the balcony. Tony gasped. Abbie felt horror touch her heart but fought not to show anything. She stepped back, centring herself on the edge of the balcony.
"Louis?" said Alice, staring at Angel's supposed date. At his empty eyes and pasty skin. This wasn't the Louis that Abbie had met the previous day. This was his zombie.
"Mother, you know how I respect you," said Angel. "You wanted me and Louis to make up, so that's what we did. Friends of mine went to collect him earlier tonight. He's not exactly beaming now, but I think his presence shows how excited he was to learn I wanted him as my plus one to this little event. Isn't that right, babe?"
Leaning in, Angel kissed Louis’ cheek. The mobster didn’t respond nor look her way. His eyes were fixed on the horizon as though he had watched the sun fall and was wondering where it had gone.
"The strong silent type," said Angel. “My kind of man."
"Angel, what’s going on here?" said Alice. "Louis?"
"You said we could bring plus-ones, didn't you?” said Angel. “Well, I have."
"What's wrong with him?" said Tony.
Abbie asked, "Who are your friends?"
Angel pointed at Abbie. "You always ask the most pertinent questions. Luckily, we have all night to discuss. But first, let's get the party started. Who wants a drink?"
"Angel, stop." Alice reached for her daughter but pulled her hand back when Angel swung around with the gun.
"Smart move, mummy."
"You might hate me," said Alice. "You don't hate your sister. Yesterday, you wanted me to kill Abbie for hurting Ariana, so please, let me send someone to save her."
Angel stared at her mum for a second, then scratched her head. It was a farce, a show, and a poorly acted one. Angel was smiling.
"Didn't we already discuss this? Ariana’s dead. Your failure to act killed her, so don't push your guilt onto me. It's pathetic.”
Louis collapsed to his knees. Tears rolled down his cheeks but seemed to disappear before they hit his jaw. Not one water droplet hit the floor.
"That reminds me," said Angel, pointing at Louis. "Max, bring in the gift."
"I'm going to save my daughter," said Alice. She stepped past Angel, who made no physical move to stop her mother but created a verbal barrier across the door to the bar.
“The second you leave this balcony, I’ll shoot Abbie. Keep walking; I'll execute my date. You still don't stop, well..." Angel turned. Pointed the gun at Tony's head. "I might have to take drastic action.”
"You bitch," said Tony. "Mum, don't worry about us."
"Speak for yourself," said Abbie. Angel chuckled. No one else responded.
Alice had frozen in indecision. Was Angel bluffing about Tony? Were Abbie and Louis’ lives a fair price for the chance to save Ariana?
Before she drew any conclusions, Max stepped onto the balcony carrying a bundle wrapped in a sheet.
Angel clapped, delighted. "Ah, here we are."
She directed Max to place the bundle in front of Louis, which Max did. Abbie saw the sheet and felt a sickening tremor rush through her. She had to fight not to take another step back, which would have sent her tumbling after Ariana.
"You claim I hate you, mum,” said Angel, "but it’s not true. I got you a present to celebrate this significant milestone you've reached and to let you know I still love you. Granted, I've not wrapped it, and that's poor form. To be honest, I've not seen it. Max collected it when he picked up Louis."
"And Max is one of your friends," said Abbie. "So where are the rest?”
"Shush," said Angel. "You're ruining the moment."
Abbie was not cowed by Angel but did fall quiet. Max, having dropped the present, receded into the bar.
"Darling," said Angel, crouching beside Louis. "Why don't you unwrap this present for my mum. Show her what we got."
At first, Louis didn't respond. His eyes were fixed on the horizon. It was clear he was not all there.
Reaching out a hand, Angel took Louis’ wrist and lifted his arm, pulling his fingers towards the sheet.
At last, Louis showed a sign of life, recoiling, pulling his hand away from Angel.
"Please," he whispered. "Please don't..."
Angel sighed and tilted her head, looking at her faux date. Turning to her mum, she tutted.
"Men, you know, what are they like? Do you want to open the present, mummy?"
"Angel, what have you done?"
Rolling her eyes, Angel said, "Forgive me, but you don't sound as excited as I had hoped. This is your sixtieth. I'm your eldest daughter. Can you at least try to get into the spirit?"
Abbie wondered if Angel was even more deranged than she had at first seemed. As daughter looked to mother, it appeared Angel was genuinely disappointed that Alice was not more excited.
Alice showed nothing but horror. Angel huffed.
"Fine, mother, I’ll do it. Though if you’re going to be so dour, maybe you don’t deserve a pressie."
Grinning, Angel whipped back the sheet, and Abbie closed her eyes. But too late. In the split second they were open and the sheet was gone; Alice's 'present' was burned into Abbie's retina and memory for eternity.
With her eyes closed, Abbie heard knees buckle and knew Tony had gone down. The sobbing came from Ollie, though he tried to stifle it with a hand. Louis was a zombie. Somehow, Alice managed not to react.
Abbie tilted her head up, then opened her eyes. Alice was staring at Jacob, but Abbie caught Angel's gaze.
"I'm going to kill you."
"Doubt it," said Angel.
Ollie was still crying. His mother didn't even look back. Alice had moved her gaze to Louis.
"Why did you come here?" she asked. "Why didn't you try to kill my daughter? Why aren't you trying to kill her right now?”
"Angel's friends," Abbie guessed. "They're at Louis’ place, their guns aimed at Kyle."
Louis sobbed. The second time he'd shown he was not all zombie. Abbie couldn't imagine what was going on in his head and heart, the way his insides had to be tearin
g up. How he must have wanted to turn and wring Angel's neck but couldn't. Kyle was alive. Louis knew, deep down, Angel would soon order the murders of Louis and Kyle, but he had to hold out hope. It was all he had left.
"So who are these friends of yours?" said Alice. She spoke with venom, but Angel pretended not to notice.
"Why don't you ask your new friend?” Angel said, gesturing to Abbie. "She's so clever. Seems to know everything."
Abbie didn't wait for Alice to look her way.
"You said Pedro had found a new supplier. I'm guessing we've now met her."
Angel applauded, cackled. "You are good."
"And I've got more. Because I don't believe you'd come here only to gloat. To show off Louis' body. There's a purpose to this." Abbie looked from Angel to Alice. "I wonder, your daughter ran the family firm for nine years while you were in prison. Did you ever tell her where all the guns were stored?"
Alice didn't have to answer. The twist of Angel's face displayed her displeasure at her mother’s secrets.
"I did not," said Alice and turned to her daughter. "That's why you're here?"
"I shouldn't have to be. You should have trusted me."
"The present evidence would beg to differ," said Abbie, then moved on. "Pedro and his team burst into Louis' house and murdered Jacob. They kept Kyle alive to keep Louis compliant, but what about the girlfriend?"
Alice gasped. She had forgotten. Angel gave her mother a curious look, then raised an eyebrow.
"What girlfriend?"
"Louis had fallen in love," said Abbie. "His girlfriend was with him tonight. What did Pedro's people do with her?"
Angel looked at her mother's expression and found herself puzzled. Crouching beside Louis, she said, "Is this true, babe? Were you already seeing someone when you asked me to be your date? That would be most upsetting.”
"Angel, just tell us what you did.”
Rising, Angel stared at Tony following this outburst.
"My, my, Anthony. You didn't care this much about the boy. But whatever. Max," she called to the man in the bar. "Did Louis have a girlfriend with him? He doesn't seem the sort."
