Deep Water by Mark Ayre (best big ereader TXT) 📕

kill an innocent child, I will stop you; in fact, there are no lengths to which I will not go to stop you."

Angel gave a sickly sweet smile. Turned to her brother.

"I hope one day you can once more prove your loyalty to your family," she said. “As for you—" she came towards Abbie until their faces were inches apart, her low voice precluding the spectators from overhearing. "Do you know what I'm going to do with you?"

"No," said Abbie. "And I'm finding this all very confusing. See, ever since you said you fancied me, I've had these conflicted feelings. I thought I was straight, but now, argh, I don't know. I had an internal crisis, then you come right up to me like this, and your lips are so plump and gorgeous, and I realised…" she held Angel's eye. "Even if I were gay, knowing what's in your heart, looking at you would still make me want to be violently ill."

A flinch of loathing crossed Angel's face. She flicked it off.

"Sticks and stones," she muttered. "And you'll have more than them to deal with soon. You attacked my sister, you attacked my son; now you're on borrowed time. So stay alert, and enjoy your last hours, because I can't see you living past tomorrow's end."

Abbie took a deep breath.

"I've changed my mind again. I'm so turned on right now."

"Keep joking," said Angel. "Time's almost up."

She spun and gripped her son by the shoulder. Dragged him away. As Tony came to Abbie's side, the spectators began to disperse.

"This is bad," muttered Tony.

"I know," said Abbie. "I was so sure she'd invite me to your mum's party as her plus one."

Nineteen

They arrived at Louis' place at ten PM to see Alice with her hand on the gate, beginning to push it open. When she saw them, she let the gate fall closed.

"What are you doing here?" she snapped. "Both of you."

"It's lovely to see you again, Alice," said Abbie, touching the older woman's arm. "I got you a birthday present while I was out today. It's a corker, but the catch is, you have to survive to the end of your birthday before I give it to you. I'm thinking one minute to midnight."

"Is this a joke?" said Alice. "Tony, take her away."

"It's not a joke," said Abbie. "The present is real, isn't it, Tone? Still needs wrapping, mind. But hey—"

"Abbie, I'm armed," said Alice. "I advise you to stop talking before I give you a present of your own."

Abbie beamed. "Alice, I like you a lot. Oh, look, our hostess."

Alice frowned. "What are you talking about a hostess?" Turning, she watched as her daughter, Alex, opened the side door and stood bathed in the light of the perceived enemy's house."

"Huh," said Abbie, taking in Alex's mini skirt and low cut top, neither of which she’d been wearing earlier. "Guess I owe you an apology, Tone. Maybe choice was limited on the clothing front."

"What's going on?" Alice demanded.

"Why don't you all come in," Alex overrode. "Mum, I've already poured you a G&T. I think you're going to need it."

Louis' living room contained two gorgeous leather sofas, a three-seater and a two-seater, and a leather armchair. All of which appeared to be as comfortable as the armchair Abbie had earlier found difficult to trust upstairs. In the centre of these chairs, two of which had been moved from their regular positions to form a circle, was a long coffee table upon which sat numerous bottles of spirits and glasses. There were a couple of near-empty mixers on the floor and plenty more in the kitchen's fridge.

The master of the house stood by the armchair when Alex led in the guests. He held two drinks; one whiskey, one gin and tonic, presenting the latter to a suspicious and annoyed Alice.

"Your drink, Alice," he said. "And don't worry, Alex prepared it and made sure I didn't add any poison."

"You could have added some while Alex was letting us in," said Abbie, not because she thought he might have, but for the fun of it.

Louis glared at her. "I thought, after our earlier chat, we were good friends?”

"I think you misinterpreted the result of our chat."

"What chat?" said Alice. "What on Earth is going on? And stop holding that drink in my face; I'm not having anything until someone explains the meaning of all this.”

Louis smiled, retracted the drink, and took a gulp. "There, in case you were worried about poison. It's here for when you feel less in the dark."

Alice watched Louis lower the drink but didn't reach for it. As Alex sat on the two-person sofa at one side of the room, Alice turned to her son.

"What's going on. What’s your sister doing letting people into this house?"

"Uh, excuse me," said Alex. "I'm the older sibling, remember?”

"Not in terms of maturity. Tony?"

"I wasn't convinced either, mum," said Tony. "But I think we should hear them out."

"Hear them out? No, I'm here to hear Louis out. My children are to leave immediately. And you," she spun to Abbie, "I don't know what game you're playing, whether you're some pawn working for Louis or if this is kicks for you but—"

"She certainly doesn't work for me," Louis cut in. "I get the impression she wouldn't do well working for anyone."

"Impression from when?"

"From when she and your son burst into my house earlier today and pointed a gun in my face. Honestly, Alice, I've always thought you a charming woman, but the effect you had on this Abbie in such a short time was astounding. She seemed rather afraid I might try to kill you tonight."

Alice stared at Louis, then back to Abbie. She asked no questions, but her stare demanded an explanation.

"I understand how this must seem," said Abbie, "but as I explained, I want to keep you alive. After Angel had a go at you earlier, I feared you might throw in the towel. I had my suspicions about Louis, but