Page 36 of Tears of Gold

“What? Where? More to the point, why?”

She shrugs. “I don’t know the details. I guess Laura would have told you. And why? Because that’s what Faircloughs are expected to do.”

“Well that’s just fucking shit.”

If she’s shocked by my language, she doesn’t let it show. What a professional housekeeper she is.

* * *

“What’s up with you?” Gerard finds me in the library on campus, not that I am looking at anything useful. My body is on campus, my mind is engaged in all out warfare with Jennifer and Connie Fairclough.

“Gah, Fairclough drama.”

Gerard slides into a seat and rubs his beard. “You look like you need a coffee.”

“I do, desperately. I just haven’t been able to lay my hands on one all damn day.”

“Well that sucks.” He pulls the book in front of me over and raises an eyebrow. “I doubt this will help your black mood.”

“I’m not in a black mood. I’m just realising that every single day is going to be a battle. First we get moved to that awful museum of a house.”

“You didn’t tell me that.” Gerard interrupts, “I only saw you yesterday; why did you not tell me?”

“Well, we had other things on our mind, and I thought I was handling it. This morning, I find out she’s hiring me staff—a personal assistant for God's sake—and I’ve got a function to attend tonight on my own. I mean what is this shit? How is this happening?” I take a sip of water but it’s lacking a considerable punch. “Does she actually think she’s the queen?”

“Better than the queen.” Gerard smiles. “But it’s not Jennifer, not really; it’s Connie. You know that. She’s the puppeteer and everyone is dancing along at her whim.”

“Exactly how old is she and when is she going to die?”

Gerard snorts. Good someone finds this amusing. “She’s a mutant and going to live forever.”

“Great.”

“You seem really out of sorts, Faith.” He leans closer and for a moment I think he’s going to reach out and hold my hand. Please don’t do that.

“I’m tired. Everything is so complicated. I guess I thought if I went to the police and told them about Aiden it would make me feel free, that I could let the past go; but more shit just keeps landing my way. Dan isn’t talking to me, and yesterday I had to ask my oldest friend to come to London for the day to help me move and I barely got the chance to speak to her. I’m supposed to be doing a TV show, but I don’t even know if people want to see me on telly, or even bloody watch it; and Eli is in court dealing with a horrific case and he’s wondering why I won’t let him help with mine.” A shudder runs over my skin and I have to clamp my mouth down to stop from being sick.

“Faith. You’ve got to fight harder.”

“Maybe I’m tired of fighting.”

“The opposite of fighting is running, and I think you told Eli you weren’t going to do that again.”

“He told you that?” I raise my eyebrow. That doesn’t sound like him.

Gerard shakes his head. “No.” He points to the gold and diamonds on my finger. “This did.”

The gravel drive of Bowsley crunches under the tyres of the MG and before I’ve even switched off the engine, Jennings is opening the door. He’s the epitome of professionalism, but even he can’t hide his surprise at finding me rock up at five on a Tuesday afternoon. It’s a long way to drive to say something to someone’s face.

“Good afternoon, Faith. Are you here to see Jennifer?”

I swallow hard but square my shoulders. “No, I’m here to see Connie actually.”

I think I’ve lost my brain. I must have, but I’m committed now, and I can’t turn around—basically I can’t turn around and run because I know the bitch will be watching me through a window like the goddamn psycho that she is.

“Come in and wait in the drawing room and I shall tell her you’re here.”

“I forgot my calling card. I assume that won’t be a problem.”