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

Angel hated to lose, but not as much as she was afraid to die.

"You got it wrong about Jacob," she said at last. "He was the enemy, and he corrupted your little girl—our Aurora."

"That's rubbish," said Alice.

"You think? He forced her to stop seeing Ollie. Tore apart their relationship and sent your grandson spiralling into depression. Isn't that right, baby?"

Between the riled mother and daughter, Abbie had almost forgotten Ollie. As he had his entire life, he stood now in Angel's shadow. When she asked the question and turned his way, he didn't step forward to answer but cowered under her gaze.

There was silence, broken only by Ollie's whimpers.

"I asked you a question," Angel said. "Tell your grandmother what Jacob did."

Ollie looked at his mum, then his eyes turned to Abbie, pleading.

"Don't look at her," Angel said. Grabbing her son's chin, she yanked his face towards hers. "Tell them about Jacob."

The boy opened his mouth but couldn't speak. Rage flashed across Angel's eyes, and her hand twitched.

"That's enough," said Abbie.

Angel's head snapped around. "Excuse me?"

"I promised I wouldn't hurt you, but if you lay a finger on Ollie, I may be unable to stop myself."

"Threats," spat Angel. "You don't scare me. I asked my son a question."

"And he doesn't want to answer," said Alice. "Angel, you can't force him. We won't let you."

Angel stared as her mother stepped forward. Her eyes flashed to the guns in her enemies hands. She had her own but had to know she couldn't kill both women. It would be a case of choosing one and trying to enjoy the minor victory before the other killed her.

But Angel didn't want to die.

Rather than simply remove her hand from Ollie's cheek, she pushed the boy and yanked her hand away. With a grin, she looked back at him, expecting Ollie to be cowering at her feet.

Instead, his eyes had gone to Abbie and Alice. He looked grateful.

Abbie took another step forward. For a moment, it looked as though that gratitude might be the straw that broke the camel's back. Abbie feared Angel might turn the gun on her son.

"Don't think that they care about you," said Angel. "They defend you because you're here, and they want to ease their conscience. But they don't care. Haven't they proven that? They've told us to leave forever."

"Actually," said Alice. "That's not what I said."

Angel turned to her mother, eyebrows raised. "I'm sorry?"

"You have to go," said Alice. "You've proven that tonight. As for Ollie, I think he's old enough to make his own decision."

Angel was temporarily stunned, then she laughed and shook her head.

"I don't think so. He's my son; he stays with me."

Alice said nothing. Once more, she'd lowered her gun, but both hands were on the grip, a finger was on the trigger. If necessary, she was ready to force Angel into submission.

"Fine," said Angel. "We'll let the boy decide. Ollie, would you rather stay with this near stranger and the grandmother who's spent most of your life in prison or with your mother?”

Ollie stared at the ground. His feet shifting. Abbie understood his reticence. His mother was evil, awful, mentally abusive, and possibly physically too. Still, he was scared of the repercussions of turning her down. Not to mention she was still his mum.

"You ungrateful little shit."

Ollie had yet to make a decision. Angel found insult enough in his hesitation to lash out.

"Everything I've done for you," she said. "Remember, I know who you are. I've seen the darkest side of you, and I'm still here."

Angel was tall. She bent a little to put her arm around her son, her cheek to his cheek. They were facing Alice and Abbie, and Angel pointed at the birthday girl.

"How would your grandmother feel if she knew all you'd done? Would she still love you? Maybe I should tell her and see if she still wants you to stick around."

"What are you talking about, Angel?" Alice asked, then jumped as something touched her arm.

Abbie had moved across the balcony and lay a hand on the older woman's wrist.

"I think you need to remember Ollie’s upbringing. The emotional torture, the bullying. It's no wonder he's struggling. No wonder he’s proven himself to have a temper.”

"Do I take it you're not nominating me for mother of the year?" asked Angel.

"It's going to be hard to hear," said Abbie to Alice, ignoring Angel. "I beg you to keep what I just said in mind."

"What are you talking about?" said Alice. She looked at her daughter. Angel's skin had gone a little paler. She'd meant her words to force Ollie into bending to her will; she had never intended to carry out her threat and reveal the truth. As before, she had underestimated Abbie. Now she was nervous.

"Ollie," said Abbie. "I know you're afraid. You're scared of your mother, but that isn't your biggest problem. The secret you're keeping buried inside; it's poison. It's devouring your soul. I know how that feels. I hate to resort to a cliche, but I think, if you want to get better, we need to turn to one now. Ollie, only the truth can set you free."

Angel gave a harsh laugh. But it was tinged with hysteria. Reaching out, she grabbed Ollie's hand, began pulling him to the door, back to the bar.

"You want us gone, mother? Well, we're gone. I hope you're happy. No wait, I hope you rot."

Ollie was looking at Abbie. Strangled by fear, he wasn't going to speak. Rather than release his demons, he would run with his mother, allow her to destroy him from the outside while his demons destroyed him from within.

"That night," said Abbie, as Angel tugged Ollie on. "You fought with Aurora because you were jealous of her relationship with Jacob. You wanted them to break up so you could have her all to yourself. When Aurora refused, you got angry. That's your mother's fault. Your whole life, she's taught you never to