‘Come on.’ Viola giggled, still holding Danny’s hand. ‘We don’t have long, let’s go.’ And they disappeared out of the kitchen.
Katy wondered if they were going to have sex. Is that what all this was about? Somewhere comfortable to go instead of where they usually sneaked off to.
She watched them as they ran up the winding staircase, hand in hand, excitement bouncing off them. Then she wandered into the library to read, feeling alone.
She was slumped on the sofa, unable to concentrate on her book, when her stomach rumbled. She’d forgotten to order the pizza. Elspeth had left the money specially. If she came back and saw they hadn’t bought pizza it would look suspicious. Katy jumped up and raced upstairs. She’d ask Viola what she wanted – she could share hers with Danny. They couldn’t risk buying enough for three because that would also raise questions.
Katy hovered outside Viola’s door, which was ever so slightly ajar. She should knock first, in case they were in the middle of doing it. She was about to rap her knuckles against the door when she heard her name mentioned.
‘What – so you don’t see Katy as your sister?’ This was Danny’s voice. Strong and sexy.
Her stomach turned over. Why were they talking about her?
Viola laughed. It sounded cruel. ‘No, of course not. I can’t stand the little bitch. She’s made my life hell since she arrived. Such a lick-arse. Always trying to make me look bad to my parents. I hate her.’
Katy felt as if she was going to throw up. So nothing had changed? Viola really despised her that much? After everything? All those shopping trips and sunshine-filled afternoons in the park, the confidential chats and bus excursions, the makeup sessions and advice on clothes and boys: the closeness she had felt to Viola had seemed so real. She had begun to care about her, love her even. See her as the big sister she’d always wanted.
‘Then why are you being nice to her?’ And then Danny laughs. ‘Oh, don’t tell me. So she’ll cover for you and you can see me?’
‘Of course. She’s so pathetic, she’ll do anything I ask. She …’
But Katy couldn’t bear to hear any more. She stumbled away from the door, angry, humiliated, tears stinging her eyes. How dare Viola use her like that, make her believe they really could have a close relationship? Fury flooded through her as she fled back downstairs. She couldn’t let Viola get away with this. She flung open the front door. It was only nine o’clock and still light outside. She ran all the way to the Assembly Rooms where she knew Elspeth had gone for her charity ball. She begged the doorman to let her in, that it was an emergency, and she waited, pacing the hall while someone went to summon her mother.
‘What is it? What’s happened?’ Elspeth cried, as she rushed up to her, the hem of her ballgown making swishing sounds as it trailed on the floor.
‘Viola! It’s Viola! She’s got a man in her bedroom. She made me lie for her. He’s a Traveller. I think he’s taking advantage of her. You need to come quickly!’
Elspeth turned white, her mouth pinched. Without saying another word she gathered up the hem of her skirt and fled the building, Katy close behind.
Elspeth arrived home just in time to catch the two of them in the act. Katy had never seen her so angry. She threatened to disown Viola if she ever saw Danny again. ‘And if I ever see you with my daughter again I’ll call the police,’ she raged at Danny. Katy hid in her room, waiting for the shouting and the recriminations to stop. What had she done? Viola would never forgive her.
Much later, Viola came to Katy, her eyes red and swollen from crying. ‘How could you do that to me? You promised. Mother said you went to fetch her. How could you betray me like that? She’s forbidden me to ever see him again.’
‘How could you?’ Katy screamed back. ‘I heard what you said about me. You were just using me. All this time. I thought …’ she started to cry ‘… I thought we were friends.’
Viola fell silent. When eventually she spoke, her voice was quiet but each word punctured with anger: ‘Then you’re thicker than you look. I hate you. I’ve always hated you. Interfere in my life again and I’ll kill you.’
Katy, always a light sleeper, heard Viola sneak out of her room in the early hours of the morning and she knew. She knew Viola was running away to be with Danny. She lay on the bed, frozen with indecision. If Viola left, her life would be a lot easier, but it would break Elspeth’s heart. She couldn’t have that.
Throwing off her covers, she slid out of bed and crept down the stairs just in time to see Viola opening the front door.
‘Don’t go,’ she pleaded.
Viola turned around, shock on her face. Her eyes were puffy and swollen. ‘Don’t …’ Her voice cracked and she held up her hand.
‘Please. I’m sorry for telling on you. But you’ll break her heart.’
Viola shrugged. ‘She’s got you.’
‘She loves you.’
She shook her head. ‘I can’t stay. I feel caged here.’
Katy moved slowly across the hall so as not to frighten Viola away. ‘I know you hate me …’
‘I don’t hate you. Not really. It’s …’ She swallowed and looked at the floor. ‘It’s complicated. Mother and I have never got on, even before you came. It’s being here.’ She sighed. ‘I don’t know. When I’m with Danny I’m a better person. When I’m here I’m full of hate.’
Katy hung her head. This was all her fault. ‘I’m sorry.’
‘No,’ said Viola, surprising Katy. ‘I’m sorry. Really. For what I said to Danny. I don’t know why I have to act like a bitch all the time.’ And then she gave Katy a quick, firm hug. ‘Promise not to tell on me this time.’
Katy nodded, blinking tears away. ‘I promise.’
‘And look after Mother. She’s going to need you.’
‘I will.’
Viola drew away and disappeared out of the front door, pulling it gently shut behind her.