Cold as Ice

Christmas Day

Carter held Archie up and blew a raspberry into his neck. Archie screamed with delight. Carter looked across at Cabrina, who was unwrapping a present that Carter had bought her. She jumped up and kissed him.

‘Thank you, it’s lovely.’ She held up the necklace and looked at it. She did her best to look pleased.

‘I know, I know.’ Carter smiled, shook his head. ‘I’ve kept the receipt.’

Ebony lifted her shot glass and smashed it into Dermot’s.

‘Cheers, Ebb, I hope your face gets better by New Year otherwise you’re going to be disappointed when it comes to twelve o’clock.’ Dermot winked. Ebony laughed. ‘Though – I might rethink that after a few more of these.’ He held up his glass again.

‘Christ, Ebb.’ Tina hid a scowl inside a smile. ‘You’ll break the other leg. If you don’t sit down, you’ll fall down.’

‘It’s not broken, Teen, just bruised. Cheers,’ Ebony said as she took Tina’s help to manoeuvre her bandaged leg onto a stool and sit down. She felt like getting drunk. It took the pain away from her throbbing face and her bruises. But the pain the drink took away was not all physical. She had a lot she didn’t want to think about.

‘Happy Christmas.’ She smashed her glass into Dermot’s again.

Ebony’s phone rang. She had a sense of dread as she looked at who was calling and then she answered it quickly.

‘Happy Christmas, Jeanie.’

‘Just ringing to make sure you’re okay. How’s the head and the leg?’

‘All much better for a few drinks thanks, Jeanie.’

‘That’s the way to go, Ebb – let your hair down. The hospital said Yan will be able to answer questions in a couple of days. He has crush injuries from being strangled. The van proved positive for both attacks – the one on me and Jackson and the one that killed Niall Manson. He must have been worried that Manson would identify him after he saw him with Danielle. You have a good day, Ebb. Love you loads.’

‘And you, Jeanie. Tell Christa to save some of the chocolate for me.’

Ebony’s phone rang again. She looked at the number and shuffled to her feet to take the call in the hallway, away from listening ears.

‘Hello?’

‘Miss Willis?’

‘Yes.’

‘I am ringing to tell you that you have been granted special permission to visit your mother due to her injuries. She has several deep wounds and required over seventy stiches. We think it would mean a lot to her to see you.’

‘Why?’

‘Why? Well, naturally, this is a special case and she is a patient of ours.’

‘She is also a manipulative killer who is able to run rings around you.’

‘I beg your pardon?!’

‘I am sick of her making me feel guilty all the time. I need to rebuild my life. I will come and see my mother when I choose and not when she cuts herself so badly that you feel sorry for her. Tell her I wish her a speedy recovery. Tell her Happy Christmas.’

Ebony came off the phone and walked back into the lounge. She held up her glass for Dermot to pour a refill. She felt like she was in danger of crying but at the same time she felt enormous relief. Things had changed forever for her now. In her heart she knew that she had opened a door into her memory bank that she wished had remained closed. It held pain and guilt and darkness, but she would keep the door ajar and deal with whatever crept out. She knew the main thing was that she was alive and that was more than could be said for the women who’d worn the red metallic bikini before her.

‘Teen?’ She looked up at Tina, who was busy being hostess and handing out sausage rolls and mince pies.

‘Yes, Ebb?’ Tina had been pretending not to be watching Ebony but she had taken it all in and could guess who the phone call was from.

‘I could do with a holiday. Fancy coming?’

Tina beamed. ‘You? The workaholic? On holiday? Never thought I’d see the day!’

‘Never thought I’d want to get away so badly.’

‘I understand. You’re on. Can’t wait to put my bikini on.’

‘Yeah – you know what? Think I’ll get a swimsuit.’