Page 107 of The Moon Sister
‘Tiggy, you poor, poor thing. And Pegasus . . . oh my God! Why didn’t you tell me about him?’
‘Sorry, Zara, but he was meant to be a secret.’
‘Well, he isn’t now. The shooting was on the local radio station in the car. How are you feeling?’
‘I’m okay, I just can’t wait to get home.’
‘Who do you think did it?’
‘I honestly don’t know, Zara. I just saw a shadow,’ I said, reluctant to go over the whole episode again. ‘And how are you? Your dad said you were back at school.’
‘I am, but we have a weekend exeat. Mum came to collect me – and I asked to come straight here to see you.’
‘Is everything okay at school?’
‘Yeah, it’s okay . . . Johnnie texted me asking if we could meet up – that he was really sorry and stuff. I told him where to stick it,’ she giggled.
‘Good girl.’ I put my palm out and gave her a weak high five.
‘So are you really going to get better, Tiggy?’
‘Oh, I’ll be fine. I should be out tomorrow,’ I reassured her, failing to add that her dad was the one keeping me in here. ‘How are things at home?’
‘Pretty awful. I prefer school to being at home with Mum. Dad’s either at the hospital, or shut in his study talking to his lawyer.’
‘His lawyer?’
‘Something to do with the estate. I dunno.’ Zara scratched her nose. ‘Whatever, he looks like he’s got the weight of the world on his shoulders. Anyway, I’d better go. Mum’s waiting for me. We’re going up to Kinnaird for the weekend, which will be nice. Mind you, Zed Eszu’s really weird – I hope he leaves soon. Bye Tiggy.’ She reached towards me and gave me a big hug. ‘Thanks for everything, you’ve been amazing.’ She stood up and breezed out.
I lay back and felt the soreness of my side now that the painkillers had worn off. I closed my eyes again as the events of the past two days began to take their toll.
‘Hello, Tiggy, how are you feeling?’
I opened my eyes a few minutes later and looked up to see Ulrika drawing up a chair towards the bed.
‘I’m okay, thanks for asking.’
I watched as she sat down and leant towards me.
‘Good. I’m sorry about the gunman. I hope he’s caught soon.’
‘So do I.’
‘Now, forgive my bad timing, but I wanted a word with you.’
My heart did another trapeze act as I sensed the anger pulsing beneath Ulrika’s calm exterior.
‘What about?’
‘Your influence over my daughter, for one thing. She hangs on every word you say. Please remember I am her mother.’
‘Yes, of course. I’m sorry, I—’
‘Then there’s my husband. It’s been obvious from the start that you’re out to get your claws into him. Like many others before you . . .’
‘That’s just not true!’ I said, horrified. ‘Charlie and I are work colleagues – he’s my boss!’
‘Don’t think I don’t know about those early morning walks the two of you took together, your little tête-à-têtes outside over Christmas. Let me tell you now, you’re on a road to nowhere. Charlie will never leave me, never.’
