“Stop calling me that. ”
“I’m only messing, little bro. ”
“I said stop. I’m not a little kid anymore.
”
“Alright, alright, calm down. I was only asking if you needed help looking for whatever you lost. ”
“I wasn’t looking for anything. ”
“Right.
Well, you’ve got a lot on your plate. It’s fine. ”
“Why do I get the feeling I’m being kept in the dark about something? ”
“Exactly what I was thinking.
”
Later, Eva pulled Leanne aside, lowering her voice. “You two are up to something. And don’t bother lying to me. ”
“Okay, but you cannot tell Ben.
He’s got enough going on with Will. ”
“Now I’m definitely intrigued. ”
“We found a burner phone in Will’s jacket. A phone he doesn’t want anyone to see.
He’s been using it to contact Megan. ”
“So? ”
“So I messaged her pretending to be Will, and we’re going to meet her now. She won’t know what’s hit her.
”
“No one’s hitting anyone. We’re going to get her to admit what she’s done and then hand it over to the police. ”
“So let me get this straight. You’re going to succeed where everyone else has failed and get her to confess?
”
“Pretty much, yeah. ”
The plan fell apart the moment Megan opened the flat door. She stood there with a smirk, arms folded. “Oh, what a nice surprise.
”
“Wish I could say the same. ”
“I forgot how nice and welcoming you are. ”
“You know me. Sweetness and light.
”
“Now that the pleasantries are over, what do you want? ”
“The fact that my youngest is being groomed on your watch. ”
“Me and Ben are very sorry about that. ”
“You’re sorry.
Well, that makes it all okay, doesn’t it? I must forget that my son’s life is in ruins. ”
“We’re working on it. ”
“That’s not what I’ve heard.
”
“From who, exactly? ”
Megan glanced past them. “You know what you’re doing here? ”
“Were you expecting somebody else?
”
“No. ”
“Sure about that? Or maybe she’s just passing through. ”
“No.
I don’t think so. ”
“You thought you were dead clever, didn’t you? Moving flats. Didn’t think we’d find you.
”
Leanne held up the burner phone. “Do you recognize this? ”
“Should I? ”
“It belongs to the kid you groomed.
So yeah, maybe you should. ”
“Like I told the police, I haven’t groomed anyone. ”
“Don’t lie. That message Will sent you about meeting here?
I sent it. ”
“What message? ”
“So it’s just a coincidence that you’re exactly where she told you to be? ”
“Like I said, I’m just passing through.
”
Eva started dialing. “Who are you ringing? ”
“You, you little sicko. Can’t deny it when your phone starts ringing, can you?
”
A beat. Megan’s phone stayed silent. She held it up. “See?
Whoever you contacted, it’s not me. Now let me out. I’m not having this. ”
“Don’t turn your back.
”
“I know where you—exactly. I’m done being persecuted by you three and that deranged old bat. This is harassment. I have done nothing wrong.
”
“Show us your phone, then. ”
“Yeah, okay. SHE SAID SHOW US YOUR PHONE. GIVE IT TO ME NOW.
”
“Help! They’re trying to steal my phone! ”
“Come on, let’s go! Eva, come on!
”
They fled empty-handed, the sting having collapsed into a shouting match and a half-stolen phone. Meanwhile, Miles was leaning against a van outside the builder’s yard when his son walked up. “Hey, Miles. I thought you were here on business.
You living in your van? ”
“No, don’t be daft, mate. I wouldn’t sleep in that. Look, it was just last night.
It’s temporary. ”
“Could stay there, you. ”
“I know, son. I know.
I should never have walked away. I should have listened to you and Mills when you tried to talk some sense into me. ”
“Yeah. It’s nice to know you’re not with him.
”
“Who? ”
“I’m your dad. You should look up to me. ”
“Yeah, there’s always chance of that.
”
“Don’t say that, lad. Look, the reason I wanted to meet you today is, how do you feel about going back to how it was? All of us as a family. How’s that sound?
”
“Do you really want to know? ”
“I know I’ve got a lot of making up to do. I know I have. But just ask your mom.
I can stay a couple of nights. ”
The boy’s phone buzzed. He read the message, then looked up. “Theo, babe, were we still on for tonight?
Hi, I love you, all right. But if you think I’m spending another night in that van of yours, you’ve got another thing coming. ”
“Oh, please. I’m on my knees.
”
“No, don’t listen to him, son. ”
“Miles, son. Son. Come on, please.
”
“I’m really sorry, guys. It’s not your fault. ”
Back at the hotel, the function suite was a disaster. Water lapped at the doorframe.
Carl had run himself a deep bath and left the taps on. A full-blown tsunami. “Is it bad? ”
“Bad?
All that’s missing is a couple of koi carp and a water feature. ”
“What’s he done that for? ”
“Tantrum? Parting gift?
I don’t know what goes on in that boy’s head. I really don’t. ”
“How long’s it going to take to sort out? ”
“I have no idea.
Ronnie’s on the phone to Ed now. We’re supposed to be getting wed in there tomorrow. ”
“Not unless they’re swapping the wedding gear for scuba diving equipment, they’re not. ”
Leanne stared at the water.
“Carl, you know what? He’s done it again. I’m honestly going to kill him. ”
“Ed’s on the way.
”
“I will be, once I get my hands on Carl. ”
Todd had shown up at the café, loud and grinning, and Miles was already getting under his skin. The tension simmered until a police officer appeared. “Silvertown!
Not breaking your domestic abuse protection order, are you? ”
“I’m nowhere near Todd’s place. ”
“Can’t help yourself, can you? If you don’t leave now, I’ll arrest you.
And the van—shift it. It’s way too close to Todd’s place to work. ”
“I’ve got a flat tire. ”
“Then get it sorted.
Now. ”
Miles backed off, but only just. “See you later, yeah? You can count on it.
”
Later, at the factory, Ryan tried to smooth things over with Debbie. “Debbie told me what you did at her hotel. ”
“Well, nothing compared to what you did there. ”
“What did I do?
”
“You cheated on your husband while he was fighting cancer. Don’t get much lower than that. ”
“What are you doing this for? ”
“Just saying what you’re saying.
It’s wrong. ”
“Well, you tell me, mother dearest. Maybe it’s in the genes. ”
“That’s enough.
You heard the man, you need to leave. ”
“And come tomorrow, that’s exactly what I’m doing. Leaving for Deutschland. ”
“Oh, how many times have we heard that, and yet you’re still here.
”
“Well, not for much longer. Coming here was the worst mistake of my life. ”
“Except for sleeping with you. ”
The room went quiet.
Ryan stepped between them. “Woah, don’t do that. That’s exactly what he wants. Look at me.
Don’t do that. You, go now. ”
“All right, keep your hair on. ”
Eva watched the old man leave, then turned to the others with a sly smile.
“So that was the plan all along. Dropping the phone wasn’t an accident. Putting the tracking device in the bag, yes, because now we know where she is. Remind me not to get on the wrong side of you.
That’s well devious. I like it. ”
The next morning, the police were waiting outside the café. Two officers approached Eva and Leanne.
“Eva Price. Leanne Battersby. We’ve had a complaint from Megan Walsh alleging assault. ”
“Assault?
I just wanted some information. ”
“I’m not shouting. Don’t act—please, won’t you tell me a thing? Just comment, will you?
”
They were both taken in for questioning. Megan had filed a formal complaint, claiming they had grabbed her and tried to steal her phone. The caution hung over them like a cloud. Will arrived at the café later to find his mother sitting there, calm and unbothered.
“Mom, you came. ”
“Of course I did, darling. ”
“Someone want to tell me what’s going on here? ”
“Ali asked her to come.
Obviously thinks we need backup. ”
“No, I think Will needs his mom. ”
“Hey, baby. ”
“Hey.
Why are you here? You sound like you’re mad. ”
“And? ”
“Your brother asked your ma to come and visit after everything that’s happened.
”
“Nothing’s happened. Come on. How many times? Yeah?
I’m not a little kid anymore. I don’t need you to come and rescue me. ”
He walked out. “Will, wait.
”
“I think we’ll take it from here. ”
Later, the truth came out about Finley. Will’s girlfriend had told him everything—about the family, about the late husband, about the secrets buried beneath the surface. “Finley?
Oh, didn’t I mention? Finley’s the only member of your toxic family that I stay in touch with. And he had a lot of interesting things to say about you and your late husband. ”
The room fell silent.
Outside, Todd met Miles near the builder’s yard. “Ah, see? I told you it’d be okay, didn’t I? Knew it’d freak you out seeing his van outside the yard, so I told him to shift it.
I also told him if he ever broke his restraining order again, he’s going straight to the nick. And I’ll personally deliver him there. ”
“Oh well, there you go. Can’t say fairer than that, eh, Todd?
”
“Suppose not. ”
“Thanks. ”
“It’s what I’m here for. Anyway, how was your little getaway?
Sarah said you had time to relax. ”
“Yeah, eventually. Think just being away from here helped. ”
“Well, maybe you should think about doing it again, then.
I mean, if it made you feel better. ”
“I like that. Me and Bobby sitting in a mansion in Central Park. ”
“I wish I was.
What, and miss this? Yeah, who needs Central Park when you can spend the afternoon in the local coffee shop? ”
George handed Leanne her favorite washbag—the designer one she’d been given a few Christmases ago and never used. “Take it.
It’s yours. ”
“Don’t mind? ”
“You know where it is. Thanks, George.
”
“So, what’s the plan? ”
“I’ll be out of the bar for a bit. Bath and bed. I’m in with Megan.
”
“As long as we can get to her, is there? Well, at least we know where she is now. Not that that does her any good. ”
“Oh, be patient.
She’s bound to mess up sooner or later. ”
“All right, listen. See you tomorrow. ”
“Yes, you will.
And thank you for having my back today. ”
“Oh, don’t be daft. We’re family. It’s what we do.
”
“See you later. Bye. ”
The next morning, Eva met Leanne outside the café, both of them still bristling from the caution. “I admitted to grabbing his top, so they just gave me a caution.
The cheeky cow, reporting you after everything she’s done to me. Well, I’ll do more than grab a top next time I see her. ”
“Eva, you can’t. You’ve seen what she’s like.
She’ll have you banged up if you touch her again. ”
“Yeah, she’s right. It’s not worth the risk. Come on, let’s go.
”
“Wait. The bun. ”
“What? ”
“Go on.
Do you remember those bagels you used to make with cinnamon? ”
“Yeah, what about them? ”
“Will you make me some? ”
“They take like two hours.
”
“I know. But I got Mom to make me them once and they were so mid compared to yours. Honest. Yours are on another level.
”
“Right. Okay. I’ll make you some. But you’re eating them on the way home.
No arguments. ”
“Swear. ”
“I need to nip out and get the ingredients, then. You promise me you’ll stay here and you won’t answer the door to anyone?
”
“Well, obviously. ”
“Okay. Right. I must need my antihistamine.
”
Leanne stepped out, and a moment later the café door swung open again. Will stood there, his face pale. “What the hell do you think you’re doing? ”
“You okay, darling?
”
He shook his head. “Just canceled the wedding cake that was meant to be cut tomorrow with the love of my life, but you know, there you go. ”
“All right, yeah, sorry. Tough question.
Sorry I’m being so mad about it. ”
“No. You’re not. ”
“We still got the honeymoon.
”
“Well, it’s not actually a honeymoon anymore, is it? It’s like a holiday. ”
“Yeah, but then when we do get wed, we can go away again, can’t we? ”
“I spoke to Debbie about the water damage.
Did she say when it was going to be available again? ”
“No. I think the damage is pretty extensive. ”
“Then why are you telling me, Ryan?
”
“I don’t know, really. I was just trying to make conversation. Sorry. ”
“Right, come on.
There’s some lovely places on there, alternative venues. There’s one with a petting zoo. Imagine that. ”
“Really?
You imagine that I want to spend my whole wedding day surrounded by bleating animals? I have enough of that with the factory lot, don’t I? ”
“All right, maybe have a look later, then. ”
“I’m going to go and have a bath.
Can you wash away heartbreaking disappointment? ”
“Well, it all depends. Are you using a loofah? ”
Leanne sat at the table, the canceled cake order still in her hand.
“I can’t believe that Carl’s caused all this. ”
“Me neither. And tomorrow’s supposed to be the happiest day of our lives. ”
“You know, I’d have been more than happy with a quick ‘I do’ down the registry office.
”
“You booked us down the Rovers, but we can’t even do that now. ”
“What? ”
“Well, it’s just, you know, Carla’s done the whole big wedding thing. Yeah, but she didn’t mean any of them, remember?
She told me how she feels about us being married to you, Leanne. ”
“I’m not sure she said that, did she? ”
“Yeah. Maybe.
Maybe we’ve been a little bit too hasty canceling that wedding cake. ”
The mood shifted, something almost like hope flickering between them. But then Will’s voice came from the doorway, sharp and cold. “Come on, then.
Talk. Why were you going through my stuff? Tell me. I know what you did to my dad.
You stole something from him. Something important. You stole his hard drive. ”
Eva’s face went still.
“Oh. And you’re here to steal it back, are you? You tell your dad I’ve got nothing of his. And if you breathe a word to him or anyone else of where I am, then I swear.
Now get out. ”
Will didn’t move. “How is Ashley, then? Cat got your tongue?
”
“Well, look, I couldn’t get it. I’m sorry. ”
“No worries. I’m sure you tried your best.
”
“What are you going to do to her? ”
“I’m going to do whatever your dad tells me to. ”
“Get in. ”
Outside, a car pulled up.
Someone was leaving for the airport the next morning. A bag was packed, a good washbag tucked inside. George stood at the bar, fiddling with the till. “You’re off to Thailand, then?
”
“Looks like it. ”
“Well, do you know what? I am glad. I think it’ll do you the world of good.
”
“Still feel so unsafe around here. Hopefully it won’t be like that forever, but right now, I know. You’re bound to still feel jittery after what you’ve been through. So, when are you going?
”
“Tomorrow. I’ve got to go in the morning, grab a few more clothes. ”
“Well, if you want me to come with you, I’m there. ”
“Oh, have you got that nice washbag I got you a few Christmases ago?
The designer one? ”
“What, you mean the one I haven’t used yet? Have you not? You know I haven’t.
I saw you looking at it earlier on. Go on. Take it. It’s yours.
”
“Don’t mind? ”
“You know where it is. Thanks, George. ”
He nodded.
“So, what’s the plan? ”
“I’ll be out of the bar for a bit. Bath and bed. ”
“And tomorrow?
”
“We’ll see. At least we know where she is now. Not that that does her any good. ”
“Oh, be patient.
She’s bound to mess up sooner or later. ”
“All right, listen. See you tomorrow. ”
“Yes, you will.
And thank you for having my back today. ”
“Oh, don’t be daft. We’re family. It’s what we do.
”
“See you later. Bye. ”
The wedding was off, the cake was canceled, and the water was still standing in the function suite. But Leanne looked at Ryan across the table and something inside her loosened.
“Where’s Anastasia and Drizella? ”
“I wouldn’t come too close if I were you. Not when we’re on record for a caution. ”
“Which one?
Apart from Will. ”
“They’re so enthusiastic at this age, aren’t they? Exhausting, in fact. But I loved every single minute of it.
”
Leanne smiled. “Give my love to him, yeah? Oh, and thanks for the phone, by the way.
”
