by Sophie Brent
“What difference does it make? I mean, the other girls didn’t say anything, so I just went along with them, until Rebecca spoke up. Fiona still won’t talk to me about it, but her mother has been kind to me. It’s just that…. It is so hard. Emma was our friend, but so is Harry.”
“Maya. Look at me. Help me to understand. Perhaps I can help you to get through this?”
Maya stared hard into Erin’s face for a second before jumping to her feet and pacing up and down the hotel room carpet.
“I haven’t had a day’s happiness since Emma married Harry and she knew it. Do you have any idea what it’s like when my so-called friends ridicule me behind my back? Emma has been laughing at me for years. I wasn’t a bit surprised when she stuck the knife in when she had the chance. That was the woman she had become. Devious, bitter and cruel. Do you know what she said to me when the fire alarm went off? Do you? No. How could you? You weren’t there that night.”
Maya turned and looked out of the bedroom window at the stunning formal gardens. “I was standing with the other girls on the lawn outside the hotel when Emma grabbed my arm. She was still drunk, but it didn’t make any difference. She couldn’t wait to tell me that she had never been in love with Harry. The whole affair was set-up to make sure that I couldn’t have him or his family money. Now she was ready to move on to something better so I could have him back. Two losers together.”
Maya’s head dropped and Erin could see the tears in her eyes, but she slowly lifted her chin. “Emma stole my chance of happiness out of greed and jealousy. The world is a better place without Emma in it. And it hurts more than I can tell you to say it, but it’s true.”
Erin sat back in her chair and focused her gaze on the table in silence.
Maya stopped pacing and grabbed hold of the back of the chair, her knuckles white with the pressure and her lower jaw locked with tension. “There is something that I haven’t told anyone. Harry called me just before the dinner and told me that he was on his way to Kingmede, but his flight had been delayed a few hours and he had missed his connection.”
She looked up into Erin’s face and shook her head. “I tried to talk him out of it, but he was determined to come to Fiona’s wedding. Harry was supposed to be Ethan’s best man! Somehow Emma had persuaded Fiona that she was more important that Harry, so Ethan asked Adam to step up instead. They were so close at university. There was no way that Harry was going to miss his best friend’s wedding.”
“Even if it meant making a scene with Emma at the wedding?” Erin whispered. “I’m sorry Maya, I understand that Harry was upset, but that would have been a terrible idea. What about Fiona?”
Maya’s face twisted into an angry frown.
“I might have known that you wouldn’t understand. Are you done here? Because I would like you to leave now. A very good friend of mine has just lost his wife and I intend to be there if he needs me. I’ll be leaving in a few days and Harry will be going with me. In the meantime, I think you know the way out. Goodbye Erin and if you take my advice, you won’t waste any more time on Emma Watson. That woman has caused enough pain.”
Chapter Ten
Know the way out? Of course, she knew the way out. And it was as far away from Maya, Harry and the whole sorry business of Emma Wilson’s death as her legs could take her.
Only, as she stomped down the hotel landing, Erin suddenly realized something that made her come to a complete stop on the plush carpet.
The only person who seemed to be really mourning Emma Wilson’s death was Fiona Hanson. Emma’s husband Harry had certainly moved on, and Maya despised her in life and in death. Rebecca had outed Emma as a liar and Kate and her brother Adam had only met Emma for the first time a few days ago.
Erin thought back to the photo that Zoe had shown her of the happy group of girls enjoying life at university, bright-eyed and looking forward to making their way in the world. Emma, Fiona and Maya were on the same campus as Harry and Ethan. Five old friends who had known one another for years!
And where were they now? If Maya was telling the truth, then Emma and Harry Wilson were unhappily married, and Fiona and Ethan should have been on their way to the Seychelles around now for a fabulous honeymoon. Leaving Maya out in the cold, alone and betrayed. Oh, Maya. What did you do when Emma told you about Harry? Did you follow her down to the kitchen?
One of the hotel guests came out of their bedroom at that precise moment and gave Erin a quick nod as they skipped down the staircase towards reception, leaving her standing with a bemused look on her face.
How did she even know that Maya was telling the truth? Erin sighed out loud. This was no good. There was one thing she did know. Fiona had been standing right next to her when the freezer door was opened. That was what made the difference. No matter what happened earlier that evening, Emma had been Fiona’s friend and to see her lying there like that? It was hardly surprising that Fiona was still in shock.
The poor girl. There had to be something that she could do to try and ease that pain. Another tray of muffins was not going to do it.
No, she needed to think of something more meaningful.
Something which would help Fiona to see that there was some light at the end of this dark tunnel.
Thinking back to that bleak time after her father’s death, it was working and being surrounded by real friends which had helped pull her through.
What if she could help Fiona see that she still had some real friends who would always be there for her?
What had Maya just said? She would be leaving in a few days with Harry. Kate and Adam would probably do the same, taking Adam’s girlfriend Rebecca with them. She had to work fast if she wanted all of the girls to be involved.
An idea fluttered through Erin’s mind.
She had been planning to test out some recipe ideas for the menu for her new bistro over the next few weeks. Perhaps this would be an ideal time to do something special for Fiona and her friends and perfect some dishes at the same time?
Erin glanced at her watch. It would mean a lot of work and she would have to close the deli for the day, but she could do it.
Decision made, Erin skipped down the staircase with renewed energy. It only took a few minutes to call her two major customers and tell them that she was going to make her Monday deliveries on Tuesday instead. Neither of them had a problem with that and by the time Erin had reached the car park she was ready to take the next step and invite her lunch guests.
“Hi, Zoe. It’s me. I’ve had an idea. No, I’m not running off to Florida to escape the media. Been there, done that. Actually, it’s just the opposite. From what you told me earlier, Fiona and her family are struggling and cooped up in the house. I’d like to invite all of the girls to the deli for a special lunch tomorrow. Do you think they’d come?”
Erin opened her van door and collapsed down into the baking hot driver’s seat. “Yes? Great. That’s Fiona and her mum, Kate, Maya, and Rebecca. You would be very welcome too and I would love to show you my new menu. Can you make it?”
Erin grinned as Zoe squealed in delight, but then her gaze rested on the empty space in the car park where she had seen Maya and Harry together.
“There’s one more thing, Zoe. Did you know that Emma’s husband Harry is back in Kingsmede and snuggling up very close to Maya? They are definitely a couple. Oh yes, I’m sure. Problem is, you might find it tough to persuade Maya to leave her boyfriend long enough to support Fiona. Time to turn on your magic powers of persuasion. Excellent. Would you mind making the calls for me? Kelly’s deli. Private party. One o’clock. See you there!”
Erin popped her phone into her pocket and headed back towards the Manor House kitchens. Time to break the bad news to chef Frankie and his sister Gemma that their order would be a day late.
She did not have to walk far, because coming down the path towards her was her old school pal Gemma, pushing a large trolley of what looked like Frankie’s version of an afternoon tea. From the huffing and puffing s
ounds that Gemma was making, the August heat was definitely getting to her.
Jogging forwards, Erin slung her shoulder bag out of the way and reached for the heavy tea trolley as they walked down the path towards the patio. “What’s this, Gemma?” She laughed. “Sneaking off for a snack?”
“I wish,” Gemma replied as she wiped her brow with a paper napkin and pushed her fingers back through her hair. “It’s absolute madness in there at the minute. Every room here is booked, and they all want room service or patio teas.”
Then she leant forwards in her best gossipy mode. “I heard that you were there at Abbotsdown Hall. When that poor girl was found in the freezer.”
Gemma gave an exaggerated shudder. “I have had nightmares all weekend just thinking about it. No,” she raised her right hand and swiped it into the air. “Don’t tell me anything. No gory details. There is enough going here.”
With a loud sigh, she lifted her chin and shook her head. “This trolley is for two of the wedding party and it’s all they can talk about. I remember Fiona from way back. What a mess.”
“Well,” Erin replied and nodded with her head towards the fresh clotted cream and strawberry jam pots. “These scones are going to be an even bigger mess if we don’t get them out of this heat soon. Curdled cream, anyone?”
Then she laughed and picked up speed with the trolley. “Why don’t I give you a hand? Which table is it?”
“It’s on the one on the far left,” Gemma pointed. “And thanks. This heat is a killer.”
“No problem,” Erin smiled as she turned the corner and pushed the trolley onto the covered patio. “Can you pass on a message to Frankie that the deli is closed tomorrow so his order will be a day late? Normal service from Tuesday.”
Then she stopped and took a breath. Because sitting at the brasserie table were Ethan’s brother Adam and his girlfriend Rebecca, who was pale and shaking.
“Rebecca? Is everything okay?” Erin asked as Gemma stepped forward and swiftly loaded the table with a sumptuous afternoon tea before wheeling the trolley away with a quick wink to Erin.
“It’s Erin, isn’t it?” Adam asked and stretched out his hand with a faint smile. “Please. Take a seat.”
“Thanks. Yes, that’s right,” she nodded as she shook his hand, then slid onto one of the padded chairs. “I’m Zoe’s friend and the lucky baker who Fiona trusted to make her wedding cake.”
“Are you working here too?” Adam asked as he loaded two plates with mini sandwiches and cheese pastries.
“Not at all,” Erin smiled and then turned to look directly at Rebecca. “Actually, I came to the hotel to drop off Emma’s luggage. Maya is going to pass it on to Emma’s husband Harry. I’m not sure what he is going to do with it, but her bags couldn’t stay at Abbotsdown Hall.”
“Her luggage,” Rebecca whispered in a trembling voice, then gave a quick nod. “That was thoughtful. Thank you, Erin. I certainly couldn’t do it. It would have been too much.”
“Please don’t upset yourself, sweetheart,” Adam smiled and squeezed Rebecca’s hand. “Why don’t you have something to eat? You’ve had an exhausting morning.”
“Very,” she smiled and picked up a sandwich before nodding her head toward Erin. “I have never given a police statement before. And hopefully, I never will again.”
“You were amazing,” Adam said as poured them both a cup of Earl Grey with a slice of lemon. “Tea, Erin? There is a spare cup.”
“Thank you, but no,” Erin smiled, then placed both of her hands flat on the table. “But I do sympathise, Rebecca. I’ve had many visits to the police station over the past twelve months and none of them were pleasant.” She gave a small shoulder shrug. “I suppose it has to be done so they can put together a clear picture of what happened to Emma that night. Someone must have seen her going into the kitchens in all the chaos.”
“They did,” Rebecca sighed between mouthfuls. “That was why I was at the station. It was me. I was probably the last person to see Emma Wilson alive.”
Erin sucked in a breath. “Please. Tell me what happened that night. And no, it’s not just morbid curiosity. I want to help Fiona get through this and come out the other side in one piece. To me, that means one thing. Finding out if Emma’s death was an accident or not. And right now, I don’t know the answer. So, please. Help me understand.”
Adam smiled at Rebecca and nodded twice before sitting back in silence, to enjoy the last of the savouries.
“Okay,” Rebecca replied, her voice trembling with hesitation. “I can tell you what I know, which isn’t much. Did…” She paused for a second before adding, “Did Zoe tell you what happened at the dinner? Yes? Then you’ll understand that I was not Emma’s favourite person. Far from it. She went out of the way to avoid me for the rest of the evening.”
Rebecca took a long sip of tea before going on. “My hotel room was directly across the corridor from Emma and when the fire alarm went off, I knocked on her door and kept on knocking until she opened it. She was drunk and still wearing her make-up but at least she was dressed. By this time, Fiona and the other girls were awake, and we all helped Emma get down the stairs to the fire exit and onto the lawn.”
Her polished fingernails drummed on the table for a second and when Rebecca looked up her eyes were brimming with unshed tears. “I won’t repeat the abuse we were all getting, but let’s just say that she was not exactly grateful that we had bothered to make sure that we were all safe. Just the opposite in fact. If it hadn’t been Fiona, I probably would have left her alone, but about half an hour later, the hotel asked us to move towards the front of the hotel. That’s when Fiona started looking around for Emma and she had vanished.”
Rebecca flicked both hands into the air and dropped her head back. “It was dark, the air was filled with electrical smoke and some of the other guests were getting panicky. Fiona has borrowed a torch from the hotel manager and was walking up and down, calling Emma’s name. Nothing. I could see that she was getting more and more anxious, so I took the torch and went looking for Emma.”
“And you found her, right?” Erin asked, her gaze focused on Rebecca’s face.
“Just in time to stop her from barging past the fire crews to get into the main kitchen area. The smoke was intense at this point and the emergency lighting seemed to make it worse, but instead of wanting to escape, she was determined to get into the kitchen to check the ice sculpture. I mean…I know that she was drunk, but that was crazy!”
“Hey, it’s okay,” Adam interrupted. “You found Emma and got her back safely. You did what Fiona asked, even if it was tough.” He paused and looked across at Erin. “Becca hasn’t told you the worst bit. Emma Wilson was viscous right to the end. All she could talk about was how the whole wedding reception was going to find out about Becca’s gold-digger schemes to deprive me of my money, just like she had seduced the boss at her last company.” He snorted and shook his head. “She hadn’t got the faintest idea about what she was talking about.”
“I don’t understand,” Erin smiled, glancing and Adam and then back to Rebecca. “Did she get the whole thing wrong?”
“Don’t you know?” Adam coughed. “Becca is the one with the money. Not me. She founded the venture capital company that funded my start-up four years ago and already has a portfolio of businesses worth more than I will ever earn.” His voice warmed and he hit Rebecca with a stunning smile. “She’s amazing.”
“So, you didn’t date…” Erin asked hesitantly through clenched teeth.
“Toby was an old friend who had just been through a nasty breakup and needed someone to be his wing woman. He is also discreetly very gay. So, no Erin. I didn’t date the management. I was just being a good friend.”
Rebecca took a breath then exhaled slowly. “That’s what we do, isn’t it? Help out friends? Fiona and Ethan had invited us all to Abbotsdown to help celebrate their wedding. That’s special. But Emma? It was obvious to me at dinner that night that Emma had planned to ruin Fiona
’s wedding from the very start. Right down to the bridesmaids’ dresses and the reception arrangements. All changed at the last minute to make sure that it would be a disaster.”
She looked up and her gaze seemed fixed on her delicate china teacup. “But what could I do, Erin? It was the night before the wedding. I could hardly take Fiona to one side and tell her that her old friend was sabotaging her special day. I knew that she would go back to those kitchens. She was obsessed! That’s why I followed Emma when everyone else had gone back to bed. I had to make sure that she did not do more damage that night, for Fiona and Adam’s sake. Somehow, I had to convince her to stop her plan before it was too late.”
“What happened, Rebecca? What did you see?” Erin whispered.
“It was dark and the power to the ground floor was out so all I could do for follow her shape as best I could. She definitely walked back towards the back door to the kitchen, but just as I got closer, another fire engine pulled up and blocked my view. When I got around it, Emma was gone, and the hotel staff were clearing the area and telling the other guests to get back to their rooms. I think that I saw her talking to the staff, but I can’t be sure. It was total chaos, with loads of people milling around. And that was the last time I saw her.”
Rebecca closed her eyes with a gentle sigh. “You know the rest. I knocked on her door when we came down for breakfast, but I thought she was probably nursing a monster hangover and was too embarrassed to show her face. Well, I was wrong. She never made it back at all, did she?”
“Hey, you did the best you could,” Adam smiled. “And did you know that there’s a fruit scone with your name on it here? Will you please save me from my greediness?”
“Pass it over and I’ll see what I can do to help,” Rebecca smiled and took the heavily laden cake plate from Adam before turning back towards Erin. “Do you think it was an accident?”
