Page 67 of The Temp

‘Well, I can see that.’

‘They might section her if you call the emergency services, especially after the knife incident earlier.’

‘Well, maybe that’s the best thing for her.’

‘Oh, Mum, don’t. Her auntie is on her way to collect her. She’ll be gone soon.’

‘I’m not deaf, you know,’ Daisy interjects, getting to her feet. ‘Go ahead, call the police. I’ve got a thing or two to tell them about your family anyway, and while I’m at it, I’ll tell them how you tried to stab me as well.’ Daisy thrusts her bandaged hand out at Mum, taking in the length of her in disgust. ‘The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, does it?’ Mum shakes her head, muttering to herself. ‘Oh, stop fretting, grandma. I’m going.’

Daisy knocks into my shoulder as she thunders towards the door. Zelda looks at me pleadingly, arms and legs crossed, bottom lip clenched between her teeth. I hesitate, mind racing. Should I go after her? She’s already threatened to tell the police everything. And what did she mean by me needing her help to hide the weapon? Did she follow me to Waterlow Park that day? God, she’ll direct the police straight to the evidence.

‘Daisy, wait,’ Zelda says, as if she’s reading my mind. ‘Please don’t go, not while you’re so upset.’ In the mirror above the fireplace, I watch as Daisy pauses, one hand on the doorframe. ‘We overreacted,’ she says to her back. ‘And we’re sorry. Aren’t we, Bella?’

Daisy turns around, holding my gaze in the mirror. ‘Yes, we are.’ I shake my head so violently it hurts. ‘We’re very sorry.’

Daisy seems to like my endorsement. Shuffling back in, she sits on the armrest of the sofa, legs wide, speckles of blood on the hem of the right leg of her flared jeans. ‘You two must think I was born yesterday.’ I look at the grandfather clock in the corner of the room. Bloody Tina Anderson. What’s taking her so long? I rue the day I ever set eyes on her.

‘What’s the matter, Sandie?’ Mum hates being called that. ‘Cat got your tongue?’ Daisy glares at Mum. Mum looks horrified. I bet she wasn’t expecting this homecoming while she was sipping her G&T on the flight back to Heathrow.

‘Daisy, what do you want from us?’ Zelda asks.

‘If you need money until you sort yourself out,’ I offer.

‘I don’t want your money,’ Daisy says coldly.

‘Then what do you want?’ Mum pleads.

‘What’s going on?’ Our heads swivel towards the loud voice. Tina is standing in the doorway in black chinos, a red blouse with huge pointed collars and a beige trench coat. An A4 manila envelope is clutched to her chest. A pair of expensive looking glasses are hanging from her elegant neck on a chain.

‘Oh, thank God you’re here, Tina,’ I manage. ‘Daisy’s very upset. She’s not herself…’

‘Darling, what’s wrong?’ Tina asks Daisy, ignoring me. ‘What happened to your hand? What’s all that blood on your clothes?’ Her head snaps up at me. ‘Did you do this to her?’

‘What? No. Daisy had an accident.’

‘Bella’s right,’ Mum concedes. ‘We were in the middle of cooking and…’

‘Let me see that.’ Tina puts her glasses on and frowns at Daisy’s bandaged hand. ‘Come on, I’ll take you to A&E.’

‘There’s no need, Tina. I cleaned it up for her.’

‘I’m okay.’ Daisy says. ‘Well, I will be once I get away from this toxic lot.’

‘Toxic?’ Zelda snorts with fake mirth. ‘Is that why you can’t bear to leave my sister’s house?’

I take a lungful of breath. ‘Daisy, I’ve done my best for you. I’m sorry if you feel let down. The job was only temporary. That was clear from the start.’ I turn to Tina. ‘We’ve treated her like family.’

‘I should hope so.’ Tina’s mac swishes as she sits down, showing a bit of the lining - Burberry.

‘Tina, I know you’re protecting your niece and family comes first but…’

‘Uh-ah, she’s not related to me.’

‘What?’ I say, flicking a worried glance at Zelda. ‘But you…’

‘Daisy’s your sibling, actually. Well, half-sister,’ she says. And then everything stops, freezes, as if someone has hit a pause button.

‘Right,’ Georgia says, charging back into the room. ‘What have I missed?’

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