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

“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.