Page 45 of Six Steps to Happiness
“I think the police will be very interested in what I have there, don’t you?” Nick said to Ronnie. “I mean, you were told to leave us alone, as I remember.”
Ronnie’s stomach felt like lead as she considered the harassment warning she already had. If Nick carried out his threat and showed the authorities his video footage, goodness knew how much trouble she’d be in. She took in Nick’s continued enjoyment, feeling powerless to challenge him. Despite her planning and plotting, the evidence was there in front of everyone’s eyes.
“You’re no doubt looking at an arrest. Facing a criminal record, I’d say.”
Ronnie took her seat at the table. Defeated, she didn’t see the point in arguing.
“That’s not Mum,” Willow said, continuing to look at Nick’s phone.
Nick scoffed. “Rubbish. Of course it is.”
“It’s not. It’s me.”
“What?” Nick clearly doubted that.
“Willow, please. Don’t.” Ronnie shook her head, emphasising her request. The last thing she wanted was her daughter taking the wrap for her crime. The last thing she’d wanted was her daughter involved at all.
“Mum, I can’t have you taking the blame for something I’ve done,” Willow carried on regardless.
“If you expect me to believe you,” Nick said. “Then you’re as deluded as your mother.”
“You’ve seen the video, Dad. Can you really say it’s not me?”
“Wow, I knew you two were close but, jeez, taking the blame for your mother’s actions, that’s ridiculous.”
“He’s right, Willow,” Ronnie said. “It’s clearly me on that screen.”
“Well, I say it’s me. Which is exactly what I’ll tell the police if you call them, Dad.”
Nick’s confidence faltered.
“No, you won’t,” Ronnie said to her daughter.
“Yes, I will,” Willow replied, the woman’s determination there for all to see.
“Nick, ignore her. I did it.”
“I know you did.”
“No, Dad. It was me.”
Bea suddenly rose to her feet, her head held high. “I’m Spartacus,” she said, loud and proud.
Ronnie froze, her eyes wide at the interruption, while Willow put a hand to her mouth, clearly hiding her sudden amusement.
Nick, on the other hand, was less than happy and struggling to contain his irritation at Bea’s announcement, spluttered. “Trust you to take their side. As for you two…”
“Remember, Dad. It’s me who’ll be getting locked up if you do call the police.”
Nick looked from his daughter, to his mother, the triumphant nature of his arrival replaced with confusion and frustration. Turning his gaze on Ronnie, she couldn’t just see the disgust Nick had for her, she felt it too. A sadness came over her. No-one would ever believe they’d once been husband and wife.
Lost for words, he huffed and puffed as he snatched his phone up and stormed back out of the room, making sure to slam the front door shut behind him.
33
Ronnie sat at the table with a cup of coffee, Charlie’s head resting against her thighs. He hadn’t left her side since Nick’s outburst over his video surveillance, unlike Willow and Bea, who she hadn’t heard from since. She couldn’t blame them for staying away. They might have stuck up for her during Nick’s theatrics, but once he’d left, their disappointment at the situation had shown itself.
Ronnie stroked the top of Charlie’s head, feeling sad at how things had turned out. She’d fully expected her daughter and mother-in-law to be furious overOperation Poltergeist, which they were. They kept telling her how much trouble she could have been in if Willow hadn’t stepped in to save the day, something Ronnie continued to feel guilty for. But it wasn’t only her forays into next door that bothered them. In their view, Ronnie hadn’t taken their six-step plan seriously; she’d secretly been laughing at their efforts. Although, they seemed equally as upset with themselves. Or more to the point, with their apparent failure.
