Sisters - Michelle Frances Page 0,69

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‘Put it down.’

‘Tell me,’ said Ellie, raising her voice. ‘What are you doing with this? What’s the big secret you’re keeping from me?’ She aimed this time, properly. Closed one eye and felt the trigger under her finger.

FORTY-NINE

‘Ellie, don’t do this,’ pleaded Abby.

‘For once, Abby, not everything is going your way. I am sick and tired of being treated like a lesser individual, the one who can’t compete with her oh-so-brilliant sister. You are going to tell me what’s going on here.’

‘You know,’ said Abby.

‘Was it you?’

Her sister was confused. ‘Was what me?’

Ellie made sure she kept the gun raised. ‘Was it you who poisoned me when we were children?’

The look on Abby’s face seemed genuine enough. It was one of total and utter shock.

‘What?’ Abby said, her jaw dropping.

‘You were jealous of me, Abby, for years. I was always the one who got Mum’s attention. Maybe some of that stuff still hangs over you. Don’t try and deny it,’ snapped Ellie, seeing Abby about to open her mouth.

‘I wasn’t,’ said Abby quickly. ‘I . . . it’s true. Yes, there. You know this. I didn’t like you much when we were younger. But as for now . . . what are you suggesting?’

‘It’s all gone? All that resentment?’

Abby looked awkward. ‘We have our moments. But I’ve never disliked you enough to want to kill you, for God’s sake. How on earth did you get that idea anyway?’

Ellie watched her. Said nothing.

‘Please, will you just put the gun down,’ said Abby. ‘It’s making me nervous. Frightening me out of my wits, actually.’

‘Why did you bring it?’

‘Um . . . I don’t know. Spur of the moment thing. I just saw it there, when I was throwing our stuff together. I was scared. Mum was dead and . . . I don’t know, I just felt as if I had to be prepared. For anything. Look, if it makes you anxious, me having it in my bag, then you carry it.’

Don’t be fooled, thought Ellie.

Abby kept her expression blank. ‘If you kill me, you don’t get the money.’

Thrown, Ellie’s arms dropped slightly. ‘What money?’

‘In my will. It’s split between you and Matteo.’

‘You what?’

‘But I should imagine that if you murder me, OK, I’ll be dead, but I don’t think the law lets you inherit.’

Jesus! Abby had left half of her two-million-pound fortune to her? Oh my God. On paper, she was potentially a millionaire. This act of generosity floored her. The idea that her sister had thought of her in such a way was mind-boggling. It left her with a warm glow and Ellie unexpectedly felt her eyes fill with tears.

‘If I come towards you, you won’t lift that thing again, will you?’ asked Abby gently.

Ellie looked down to see her arms had fallen to her sides. She shook her head. She couldn’t have used it, even if she wanted to. Suddenly exhausted, the tears started to fall. Abby came over and tentatively embraced her.

‘Shall we go?’ Abby said softly in her ear. ‘I’m certain Jamie will call back today and then we can talk to him and get ourselves out of this mess.’

Ellie stiffened. She was reminded of her earlier fears – and how Jamie would serve to help Abby in defence. Did she trust her sister now? Suddenly Ellie wasn’t sure if she’d just been expertly manipulated.

‘What if he doesn’t? I can’t keep on like this, Abby.’

Abby looked at her watch. ‘OK, let’s give it until this evening. If he hasn’t rung by eight, we’ll call someone else.’

‘Who?’

‘I don’t know. Anyone. You choose. Use my phone. Google someone. The best person you can find. I’ll pay for it.’

There it was again. That same look of genuine care and concern.

Back in the car, Ellie still held the gun in her hand. She didn’t want it touching her skin anymore; she found it abhorrent. Should she put it in her own bag? As she hesitated, Abby put a hand over hers.

‘I meant what I said. You keep it.’

Ellie dropped it into her bag and pushed it away from her with her feet. Abby started the engine and as she pulled out onto the quiet country road, she exhaled.

‘Wow . . . Thank you.’

‘For what?’

‘Not shooting me.’

Ellie shrugged. ‘Welcome.’

‘How did you even know how to use that thing?’

‘You just pull, don’t you?’

‘Don’t know.’

Ellie looked at her sister. ‘You brought a gun and you don’t know how to use it?’

‘Well, it’s not like I’ve ever needed to find out.’

‘Is it even