Free The Back Road by Rachel Abbott Page B

yours then?’
    ‘Well, obviously it’s nobody you know, but I’ve been stalking a man for a while. I’m not sure if he’s going to deliver the goods yet, but I’m taking it slowly.’
    The smile left Ellie’s face.
    ‘Don’t use the word stalking, Fee. It’s not funny, and if that’s what you’re doing then you need to stop it. Right now.’
    She was relieved that at that moment Leo appeared in the doorway. It seemed her sister had been raiding her jewellery box, but frankly Leo deserved a whole lot more than a red necklace.
    Fiona gave a small shout of surprise.
    ‘Leo! I had no idea you were here. Ellie didn’t tell me. What brings you to Cheshire? I thought you’d never darken this doorstep again.’
    ‘Hi Fiona. You’re looking well - and looking expensive too, if I may say so. It seems your marriage turned out exactly the way you wanted it to.’
    Fiona gave her most supercilious smile.
    ‘How very cynical of you. But you are, of course, absolutely correct. Charles and I are perfect for each other.’
    Ellie glared at her sister. So much for her being on her best behaviour. Fortunately, Leo appeared to pick up Ellie’s thoughts and belatedly managed to force a smile on her face.
    ‘As far as returning to this house goes, it’s not recognisable is it? And I don’t believe in ghosts,’ Leo said, shrugging with a feigned indifference that may have fooled Fiona, but not Ellie.
    ‘I’m not sure that I would want to be haunted by your mother if she was a ghost, Ellie,’ Fiona said. ‘What does Max call her? The Old Witch? She was such an embittered woman. She spent twenty years of her life hating people. I think that’s rather sad.’
    ‘Not when you’re the one that’s hated, it’s not,’ said Leo, with feeling.
    ‘Well, she’s gone now and left a bucket load of money so that you can all celebrate her passing in style.’
    Ellie looked sadly at Leo, knowing how hard any conversation about The Old Witch was for her. So much so that Leo had refused every single penny that Ellie had offered her from the vast sum that her mother had been secretly amassing.
    Once more, though, they were saved by the bell. Fifteen minutes early, so now they had to face the joys of bloody Mimi.
    * * *
    Much as Leo had liked Georgia and enjoyed her company, she had to say that she was intrigued to meet Pat’s new woman. Max seemed somewhat relieved when he showed them both into the kitchen, no doubt because he wouldn’t have to search for yet another topic of conversation with Charles, whose sole interest appeared to be money and all that it could buy.
    Leo might not be a fan of parties, but she loved watching people and their reactions to each other, and tonight was one of those occasions when it felt as if people were not entirely comfortable. Bringing this new woman into the equation forced everything out of kilter somehow. Max had coped with Charles for years, and Fiona and Leo tolerated each other for Ellie’s sake, while finding every possible opportunity to wind each other up. They both enjoyed it, although Ellie had never appreciated that. But the minute Pat walked through the door with Georgia’s usurper, tension rippled through the room.
    Pat didn’t seem to have changed much, as far as Leo could see. His wheat-coloured hair always came as a bit of a shock because it looked like the colour came from a bottle although Leo was positive that it didn’t. Besides, it was cut so short that you’d see regrowth within a matter of days. He was what she would call Mr Regular. He was about average height, not skinny, but not much in terms of a physique. Insubstantial, she would say. Nice features, and a quiet but friendly voice, she’d always found him a bit bland next to Georgia’s vivacious personality and dynamic style. But nice enough. Strange that this inoffensive man could now be causing such a stir.
    Ellie tried to ease things, as she always did. She walked over to Pat and gave him a hug.
    ‘It’s