“This way.” Abby’s led them past the living room and study to the kitchen at the back of the house. The bright pastel colours she’d used to decorate her home seemed inappropriate for such a heavy event as a visit from family.
She opened the kitchen door for them. Victoria took two steps into the room and stopped dead. Abby ignored the unspoken censure at having taken them to the kitchen. She looked past her sister to find Katy standing on a stool, rooting around in the pantry. She had a pack of chocolate buttons in her hand, chocolate smeared around her mouth and a guilty look on her face. Lawrence coughed. When Abby’s eyes shot to him it looked like he was hiding a laugh. Victoria stared at Katy, her expression unreadable, but the tension in her shoulders radiated disapproval.
“Katy.” Abby jerked herself into action. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“It wasn’t my fault.” Katy blinked huge doe eyes intended to melt Abby’s heart. The little master manipulator. “My tummy made me do it. It needed chocolate. I tried to tell it you said no chocolate till after lunch, but it wouldn’t listen.” She held her hand to her mouth and whispered loudly, “My tummy doesn’t like the soup.”
There was another cough from Lawrence. Abby took the chocolate from her daughter’s hand, put it back on the top shelf and picked her up. She walked back around the marble-topped counter to the dining table and put Katy in her chair.
“I don’t care if your tummy doesn’t like the soup. Your mouth is going to eat it all up. Are we clear?”
“Yes, Muma.” Katy sounded like she’d been given a life sentence. With heavy, slow movements, she picked up her spoon. “Jonathan doesn’t have to wait to eat chocolate. He gets chocolate for breakfast, lunch and dinner. His mum says chocolate is healthy and he’ll get sick if he doesn’t eat it all up.” She blinked with exaggerated innocence.
“I wonder if Jonathan has to sit on the naughty step for telling all those lies?” Abby said. “I think children who tell lies should definitely sit on the naughty step. What do you think, Katy?”
Katy lifted the spoon to her mouth and slurped up some soup. “My tummy says it’s changed its mind. This soup is yummy.”
Abby stroked her daughter’s hair. “Well, isn’t that convenient.”
Katy gave her a huge, heart-melting grin before she spotted the visitors. She looked up at her mum then stared back at them, practically buzzing with her need to know who they were.
“Katy, this is your aunt Victoria and her friend Mr Maynard.” She turned to her sister. “This is Katy, my daughter.”
Lawrence smiled widely at Katy. Victoria showed no emotion whatsoever. Katy let her jaw drop dramatically before bouncing with excitement.
“Really? You’re really my aunty? I never had one before. I always wanted one. Even when I was really little. Jonathan’s got about a million aunties and uncles. They always bring him presents when they visit.” She batted those eyelashes again.
Victoria seemed stunned by Katy’s blatant wheedling.
Lawrence barked a laugh. “Sorry, little one, we didn’t realise we were supposed to bring a gift.”
Katy’s whole body sagged with disappointment.
“Perhaps we could remedy the oversight later?” Lawrence said. “Maybe you could tell me what sort of gift an aunt usually brings and I’ll help Victoria arrange for one.”
Katy perked right up. “I can do that. But you have to remember I’m a girl. I don’t like the same presents as Jonathan. He got a pirate costume last time his aunty and uncle visited and it had no sparkles on it. It was a really yucky brown. If you get me a pirate costume it has to have sparkles.”
“I’ll make sure to remember.” Lawrence smiled widely.
Katy nodded, obviously pleased Lawrence could be trained. Abby looked at him cautiously. Surely if he were the bearer of bad news he wouldn’t be so nice to Katy. Surely this was a good sign. She wasn’t reassured.
“Please, sit.” Abby gestured to the table.
Lawrence didn’t hesitate. He pulled out a seat beside Katy and commented on how delicious her soup looked. Victoria sat as far away from Katy as was possible, yet still remain polite. Abby felt her chest squeeze. What happened to the woman who used to hug her when she was a child? Who laughed and played? Who twirled her around the nursery as they danced? With an aching sadness, she filled the kettle and prepared a tray with teacups.
The last time she’d heard from her family was when her father had suffered a heart attack. Charles, her older brother, had called and demanded she visit her father’s deathbed. Unfortunately, Abby was nursing her terminally ill husband and caring for her infant daughter at the time. It wasn’t possible to rush to the bed of a man who’d made it clear she was nothing more than an inconvenience and disappointment to him. A man who had disinherited her and hadn’t been interested enough to tell her himself. A man she’d still loved—more fool her.
She cleared her throat. “Is Mother well?” Her insides spasmed at the thought of losing another family member. Even one who didn’t want her.
“Quite well, thank you.” Victoria’s voice was emotionless.
Abby’s stomach unknotted. Slightly.
“What brings you to the Highlands?” She tried to sound casual, but there was a wobble in her voice. She cringed at the sound. Aware of the vulnerability it revealed.
“It’s best if we don’t speak of the reason for our visit in front of the child,” Victoria said.
Abby turned slowly. “Her name is Katy.”
Victoria’s eyes jerked away from Katy. “Yes,” was all she said.
Lawrence gave Abby a sympathetic smile. “Perhaps when Katy is finished her meal, she wouldn’t mind playing in another room for a while?”
“I want to stay here,” Katy complained straight away. If there was gossip, she didn’t want to miss it.
Abby pulled out the big guns. “How about you watch Peppa Pig in the living room?”
“Really?” Katy’s whole face lit up then she frowned. “Jonathan says only babies watch Peppa Pig.”
“I watch Peppa Pig, am I a baby?” Abby said.
“No.” Katy giggled.
“See? Your best friend doesn’t know everything, does he? Eat up and I’ll put the TV on.”
The hated soup was finished in record time. Abby settled Katy in front of the TV with a drink, closed the living room door and went back to the kitchen. For a second she felt like she’d interrupted something. Victoria was glaring at the far wall, her mouth pinched, her back straight. Lawrence’s cheeks were flushed as he stared at Victoria with undisguised frustration.
“Tea, then.” Abby faked a lightness she didn’t feel.
“Tea can wait, Abigail.” Victoria frowned. “Abby. Please, join us.”
Abby changed direction away from the kitchen counter to sit facing her sister. Her hands clenched tightly in her lap. Lawrence’s eyes softened. He looked at Victoria, who gave him an irritated glance before turning back to Abby.
“Mother was upset to discover you’d made an appearance in the tabloids.”
Abby’s hands began to tremble and she hoped Victoria didn’t notice. What else could they do to show their disapproval? They’d already disowned her. She fought to hold her chin high. Victoria’s emotionless eyes held hers.
“Mother is anxious to ensure your daughter is receiving the care befitting a Montgomery-Clark.”
Abby flicked the tip of her tongue over suddenly dry lips. “Katy isn’t a Montgomery-Clark, she’s a McKenzie.”
Victoria stared at her for a minute. Her expression gave nothing away. “There are concerns over the influences in your daughter’s life. It’s clear your association with Mr Boyle, and his friends, exposes your daughter to dangerous and undesirable examples of behaviour.”
Abby couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t move. The world had stopped. “What do you mean? Get to the point, Victoria.”
Victoria’s lip curled slightly. “Our mother wishes to start proceedings to remove your daughter from
those undesirable influences. She feels a more appropriate environment can be provided at Montgomery Hall.”
Abby’s hands hit the edge of the table. Her nails bit into the wood as she held on tight. It wasn’t anchor enough. She needed something stronger to hold her in place.
“You want to take my daughter?” The words were a whisper. The thought too horrific to be spoken any louder.
Victoria gave a curt nod. “If that’s what’s needed.” Her eyes were unwaveringly cold. “You didn’t think Mother would allow another generation of Montgomery-Clarks to stray, did you?”
No, one generation was enough. Abby was enough. Abby fought the urge to vomit as her lunch curdled in her stomach.
“Is that why you’re here?” She turned on Lawrence. “To serve notice?”
He shook his head. Grim. The man was grim. “As I explained to your family, no court would willingly remove a child from her mother unless the situation was extreme.” He gave Victoria a sharp look. “In my opinion, this situation is nowhere near extreme. I was able to persuade your mother to wait before proceeding with legal action. Her concession came with one condition—a family member must assess the situation in lieu of a visit from your mother. That is why Victoria is here. I’m here as your mother’s legal representative.” His jaw clenched. “I’m also here to give an unbiased opinion on the matter. It was a condition I insisted upon.”
Lawrence Maynard, a partner in her mother’s firm, was here to monitor Victoria? To make sure Abby wasn’t railroaded? She swallowed hard. He was an ally. She had an ally. Her shoulders relaxed slightly.
“Lawrence’s opinion will not factor into the report I give to mother,” Victoria snapped.
“I can give my own report, Vicki,” Lawrence snapped back.
Vicki? No one called Victoria Vicki. Abby felt like she’d walked onstage in the middle of a play and she didn’t know her lines. No, that wasn’t true. She knew one line. The only one that mattered.
“You won’t take my daughter.”
“It’s all about what’s best for the child.”
Abby slapped the table. “I’m what’s best for Katy. Me. Her mother.”
“I agree,” Lawrence said.
Victoria scowled at Lawrence. She hooked her handbag over her arm as she stood. For a second, Abby thought she saw her sister’s hand tremble. “You have one week to prove this is an environment fit for a Montgomery-Clark.”
“Are you insane?” Abby felt the blood drain from her face. “I won’t be bullied into complying with your demands. You have no right to assess me on anything, let alone how I care for my child.”
Abby stood to face her sister. Every muscle in her body vibrated with outrage.
“Do you really want to take on Mother, Abigail? You know how ruthless she can be when she wants something. Nothing matters more to her than the good name of the family. Lawrence might not agree with her, but he isn’t the only lawyer in his firm, and his firm isn’t the only one in London. Do you really want to go up against the team of lawyers Mother would assemble? Do you want your life raked through the courts? Do you want your daughter to suffer the stress and insecurity of your actions? A stressful litigation could drag on for years. If things are as idyllic as you say they are you have nothing to fear in allowing Lawrence and I access over the next seven days. Wouldn’t that be the most sensible course of action?”
The kitchen door burst open and Katy barrelled in. Her cheeks were rosy from running fast—her only speed. She smiled widely as she ran straight into Abby’s arms.
“I’m done with Peppa Pig. Now I want to make art.”
Abby wrapped her arms around her whole world and held on tight. Her eyes caught her sister’s and she thought there was a flash of envy in Victoria’s gaze. It was gone much too quickly to be sure. Abby turned back to her daughter. “Why don’t you go set up your paints on the table in the living room?”
“I want you to watch me.” Katy pouted. “I’m making a Peppa Pig world.”
“I’ll come watch you as soon as Victoria and Lawrence leave.” She scowled at her sister. “Which will be in just a minute.”
Katy ran off to do as she was told. Abby faced her sister. “Is this what you want, Victoria? You want to help Mother take away my child?”
Victoria’s face was expressionless. “As you well know, Abigail, when it comes to dealing with Mother, personal desires are irrelevant. What I want is irrelevant. My purpose is to protect the legacy of the Montgomery-Clarks. It’s what we were born to do. It’s what you should have done. You know as well as I do just how harsh the consequences are when you disagree with Mother. Take my advice and comply with her wishes. It is pointless fighting.”
“What happened to you?” Abby wanted to shake some sense into her sister. “What happened to the woman who laughed and played with me when I was a child?”
Victoria’s head snapped back as though she’d been struck. “She learned the hard way that there is only one possible course of behaviour for a Montgomery-Clark—the one Mother deems acceptable.”
Abby shook her head in disgust. “I can’t deal with you right now. You need to leave.”
Victoria’s back was stiff, her face unyielding. “I’ll be in touch in the morning for your decision.” Without another word, she turned on her heels and strode to the front door.
A strong hand patted Abby’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, Abby. I did what I could and I won’t stop trying. Your mother is incensed over this, but that doesn’t make her right.”
“What about Charles—what does my brother have to say about mother’s latest plan?”
Lawrence let out a sharp laugh. “Charles would very much like for this matter to be resolved. He informed me he has better things to do with his time than listen to your mother whine about it.” Lawrence’s eyes gentled. “Your brother cares only about himself. You won’t find an ally there, I’m afraid.”
Abby wasn’t surprised. Charles had always been nothing more than the mouthpiece of their parents. “I can’t let them take my baby,” she whispered.
“No, we can’t. Let’s deal with this one step at a time. We have a week to work on Victoria, and I have a few tricks up my sleeve.”
“Why are you doing this, Lawrence? Surely helping me is a conflict of interest. Won’t this get you into trouble?”
He smiled sadly. “I’ve found more and more lately this job of mine leaves a bad taste in my mouth. This situation is the last straw, so to speak. I think it may be time to make some changes in my life.” He squeezed her shoulder. “Try not to worry. This isn’t a done deal. Nowhere near it.”
With one last reassuring smile, he followed Victoria out of the house.
“Look.” Katy barrelled into the room, holding a drawing she’d already made of a pig. “It’s Peppa!”
“It’s gorgeous, baby. You’re a clever little artist.”
Katy gave her mum a speculative look out of the corner of her eye. “You know, it’s super-hard work making art.”
“Is it?” Abby pulled her daughter into her embrace.
Katy nodded. “I used loads of energy.” She leaned back to look in Abby’s eyes, placing a tiny hand on each of her mum’s cheeks. “I’ve completely run out of energy.”
“How awful.” Abby smiled in spite of the fear gripping her. “How do you think we could fix it? Is there a way we could replenish your energy before you fall over in a heap?”
Katy nodded solemnly. “I think chocolate would do it.” She batted those long, dark lashes.
Abby smiled, hugged her tight and kissed her cheek. “Well, you better go get the chocolate before it’s too late and you collapse.”
She was off her mum’s knee and running for the pantry before the sentence was out of Abby’s mouth, proving once and for all that her energy was entirely depleted. Abby chewed her bottom lip as she stared at the door her sister had stalked through.
She wouldn’t let them take Katy. It was unthinkable. As much as she wanted to tell Victoria to g
o to hell, one week was a small price to pay if it meant her daughter wouldn’t get upset. Katy had been through so much already in her short life. She deserved the security of knowing she wouldn’t lose her only remaining parent. And Abby would do whatever it took to give her child security.
Even if it meant making a deal with the devil.
Abby reached for the phone, hands shaking, and dialled Jena. “I need help,” she said by way of hello. “My family want to take Katy away from me. They’re using Flynn’s bad behaviour against me. They didn’t like my appearance on the news. I need help talking to Flynn. I need him to be on his best behaviour this week while my sister is here, assessing me.”
There was a silence for a moment. “I think you’ve already seen Flynn’s best behaviour, honey,” Jena said. “I’m not sure what else we can do.”
Abby felt tears prick her eyes. She blinked them back. Now wasn’t the time to fall apart. She listened as Matt asked what Abby wanted and Jena explained.
“Give me the phone,” she heard Matt bark. “Abby?” he said in her ear. “Don’t worry about it. We’ve got this. Be at Flynn’s parents’ house tomorrow morning. I’ll sort Flynn out for you.”
Before she could say a word, he hung up. Abby spent a few minutes staring at the phone. She quietly placed it in the dock and sat on the chair behind her. She really hoped Matt’s confidence wasn’t misplaced. If she lost her baby to her cold-hearted family all because Flynn Boyle couldn’t behave like a grownup for one single week, she would… She would do nothing. If they took her baby, they would take everything. And Abby wasn’t sure she’d survive long enough to exact vengeance on Flynn.
6
“I’ve had fourteen bookings this season—eight of which were my fault, but seven of which were disputable.”
Paul Gascoigne, former England national soccer player
Flynn waited until the camera crew had gone home for the night before he went round to the back of his van and bent over to open the hatch underneath it. He smiled into the darkness when he heard the tiny squeaks.
Bad Boy (Invertary Book 5) Page 5
