Page 30 of More Trouble
I hated to do it to her, but we had to start making some plans. Gently, I took Scarlett’s hand and squeezed it. “I’m sorry, Scar, we need to call the funeral home. We’ll get an appointment. Andre and I will come with you. We’ll be there for you all the time.”
She made a sound, somewhere between a sigh and a sob. I felt heartless pushing her to do it so soon, but there were procedures and documents we needed. I’d never done it myself before, however I’d watched my parents do it for their parents. Perhaps it was my business head kicking in, but I felt the sooner we did it, the sooner we could start working out what to do next.
Andre returned and Scarlett looked up at him.
“Willa says we need to call the funeral home. Can you do it?”
His lip wobbled, although he nodded. “Of course. I’ll do it now.”
Not wanting Scarlett to overhear all the details, I encouraged her to go and get a shower and wash her hair. Maybe we’d go for a walk afterwards, get a coffee somewhere, try to do something normal. Reluctantly, she agreed.
I listened in silence as Andre made the call and managed to get the information they needed. The earliest they would be able to see us was the following morning. Once Andre hung up, I went over to him and hugged him. He’d been so strong on the call, not breaking down once. As I held him, his shoulders shook and his grief flood out over me like a wave.
“Sorry,” he said, as he pulled away. “I don’t know what came over me.”
“It’s okay,” I soothed. “It’ll be okay.”
“Will it, Willa? Will it?” His gaze met mine and I saw the pain in his eyes.
He was about to say something else, when Scarlett returned, looking much brighter than when I’d sent her off. “I think I would like to go for a walk,” she announced.
“Sure, let’s do it.” I went to find my purse and checked my phone before we left. There were about a million emails, but I ignored every single one, only replying to Tori’s message asking how things were. Everyone else could wait.
The three of us set off towards the center of town. Every so often we bumped into someone we knew, who immediately offered their condolences. Word got around quick in Cali Cross. Scarlett handled it magnificently, not wavering once. As we walked into the coffee shop, it was as if all eyes in the place swiveled around to acknowledge our arrival.
Ianthe, Lyla’s bestie, was working and rushed over to us. “Oh my God, Scarlett, I’m so sorry. How are you coping?” She threw her arms around Scarlett who, despite her earlier strength, crumbled again. “Anything you want, it’s on the house.”
There was a table in the corner which was free, and I made a beeline for it. Andre followed me, as did Scarlett a couple of minutes later after chatting with Ianthe. She sat down and wiped her eyes.
“I really need to invest in some waterproof mascara,” she joked, trying to lighten the situation.
While we decided what to order, a woman approached our table. She had dark hair, pulled up into a chic braid, and was wearing a Cali Heights Country Club uniform.
“Andre? I thought it was you,” she said. Why aren’t you in work today? Michel has been asking where you are.”
“Shit,” breathed Andre. “I’d forgotten to call him. There was, um, an accident…” His voice trailed off.
“Sorry, and you are?” I asked.
The woman gave me the once over. “I’m Jessy. I work with Andre. Who are you?”
“Willa. I’m…his friend.”
Her eyes narrowed for a moment before recognition appeared to hit. “Oh, you were his girlfriend!”
My head snapped around to Andre. “Andre? Care to explain?”
Andre looked as if he’d rather be anywhere else than in the coffee shop. “I, um…”
As I looked at her once again, my own realization hit. The name vaguely rang a bell and the fact she’d said Iwashis girlfriend culminated in one massive shit storm of the penny dropping.
“You work with one of the twins you slept with? Why didn’t you tell me?” Without giving him the opportunity to explain, I pushed my chair back. Not knowing my own strength, it fell to the floor with a loud bang, causing the customers to turn around and stare - as if they needed any more of an excuse.
Without a backwards glance, I ran from the shop. Once I got back to Scarlett’s apartment, I barricaded myself in the spare bedroom.
There was no way Andre was getting back in again.
Andre brought Scarlett back shortly after six. I hid out in the bedroom, not able to face him. When I was sure he was gone, I ventured out into the living room. Scarlett sat on the couch, staring straight ahead of her.
