‘I know.’ Her sister looked embarrassed. ‘I didn’t . . . I couldn’t . . .’ Behind the dark glasses it was clear that Chelsea was crying.

‘Never mind,’ Lauren said more softly. ‘It’s here for when she gets back. Does this mean that everything is sorted out?’

Their older, more perfect sister shook her head. ‘It’s looking bad,’ she admitted. ‘Richard could go to prison. The house is up for sale. One car has already gone.’ She flicked a glance towards the road where her car was parked. ‘I’m hanging on to this one by the skin of my teeth. I don’t know what will happen.’

‘Oh, Chelsea.’ Lauren gave her a hug.

Her sister’s tense body relaxed slightly and she cried on Lauren’s shoulder while the latter patted her back soothingly.

‘I’ll see if there’s any more tea left in that pot,’ Greg said, and they both sat Chelsea down at the table while she sobbed.

‘Everything I was certain about in my life has been stripped away,’ she said bleakly.

Lauren closed her eyes. To think that it was Chelsea’s apparent perfection that had motivated her and Annie to change their lives. Now look what had happened. She felt sorry for her sister who had seemed to have it all and yet had always been on the periphery of their lives. Well, it wasn’t too late for that to change either.

‘We can help you,’ Lauren said. ‘When Annie comes back, all three of us will get together and see what we can do.’

‘I’d really like that,’ Chelsea sniffed, gratefully.

‘Don’t worry,’ Lauren said. ‘We can help you to rebuild it all.’

If The Terrible Twins could turn things around, then their big sister could start all over again too.

Chapter 114

Chapter 114

Greg sat next to Ray on the canal bank. The day was shaping up to stay grey and overcast, the sun never quite managing to fulfil its potential.

Annie was on her way to Peru and already Greg felt as if there was a big hole in his life. He’d let her walk away, going off on the adventure of a lifetime with a bunch of people he didn’t know, who might not look after her, and a bloke who definitely had designs on her. The thought knotted his stomach and all the pleasant rituals of setting up his tackle had failed to relax him.

Annie had gone and he was frightened that she might not come back.

‘If I was Prime Minister—’ Ray started.

‘Shut up, Ray,’ Greg said. ‘Please shut up.’

‘Hmm,’ Ray said. ‘Tetchy today, matey. Want to tell Uncle Raymondo what’s wrong?’

‘She’s gone,’ he said flatly.

His friend’s eyes widened. ‘She’s left you?’

‘No, no. She’s on her way to Peru.’ He hoped that was all, but his heart felt heavier than he’d ever known it.

His friend tsked. ‘Bad,’ he said. ‘Bad.’