Ava wrestled free from the sea’s grip, and made her way up the beach, trying to catch her breath. Her sister was close – running towards her.
Gail glared at Ava as she reached her. ‘You’ve ruined everything,’ she cried, tears streaming her face, ‘absolutely everything.’
‘I’m so sorry,’ Ava said, shivering, her teeth chattering. ‘I didn’t mean to.’ She spotted the cake knife dangling from Gail’s hand, and stepped back. ‘Where’s Rory?’
‘Why? So you can accuse him again of raping you? Do you fancy him, Ava? Is that what this is about?’ Gail spat.
‘No! No! Gail I think—’
‘You wrecked my wedding and accused my husband of rape. Why the hell would you do that?’
‘I’m sorry. But I was drugged and raped, Gail. And I thought it was Rory – because of the bracelet – but I could have been wrong.’ A tear zigzagged down Ava’s cheek and trickled, cold, down her neck.
‘Wrong?’
Ava held out both hands towards her sister. ‘All I’ve ever wanted was for you to love me. Help me. Please.’
Gail stepped forward, and for a moment Ava thought her sister might hold her, but her eyes were filled with anger. With a sharp movement, Gail grabbed Ava’s cheeks in one hand and squeezed. ‘Wrong?’ she yelled. ‘You accused Rory of rape, and now you’re saying you could have been be wrong.’
‘I think it was Maxen.’
‘Maxen? Rory’s best friend? You’re a fucking nightmare, Ava. You always wreck everything. You’re the reason Dad left.’
Ava tried to punch herself free, but she was so cold and wet, her dress hanging sodden around her body, clammy, weighing her down. The sea had stolen her strength, and her mind whirred with confusion and anger. Why didn’t Gail care what had happened to her?
‘Maxen raped me, and you couldn’t care less, could you?’ she cried, the words like sparks in the darkness. Bile rose in her throat, and her mind whirred with confusion.
What if Rory wasn’t innocent?
What if he’d been with Maxen that night? It was his bracelet after all. And he’d hounded her in the ladies’. Scared her. She gagged – could it have been both of them? She’d heard Maxen’s speech at the wedding. He would do anything for Rory. ‘And I can’t be sure Rory wasn’t there too,’ she spat.
Gail’s face morphed – ugly. ‘You fucking bitch,’ she yelled releasing Ava’s cheeks and lunging towards her with the knife. Ava moved, and with the little strength she had pushed Gail hard.
As though in slow motion, her sister fell backwards, arms flailing. She dropped the knife, and crashed down hard onto the rocks.
Ava fell to her knees. ‘Gail! Gail! Are you OK?’ she cried.
‘Bitch!’ Gail screamed, staggering back to her feet, lashing out, and slapping Ava’s face hard.
Ava rose too, tried to run, but Gail pulled her back to the floor, climbed on top of her, and reached for the knife.