Page 155 - My Home on the Earth

Cara shrugged and Elise said. ‘Don’t worry, Auntie Kay, Mum has been losing her temper a lot lately. I’ll send Grandma a text later.’
‘So will I. Sorry, Elise, but Auntie Emily is mean,’ cried Cara with tears trickling down her face. ‘We and Grandma only tried to help.’
Kay hugged them both. ‘I know you did. Don’t worry. I’ll sort something out. Come on, let’s all go home.’
In the car, Cara spoke: ‘If the Cooper woman hasn’t committed a crime, she certainly knows how to destroy a family. We have played right into her hands, haven’t we?’
****
It was dark outside when Alice got up and went into the kitchen to make a cup of tea. Her eyes felt swollen and sore and she couldn’t believe what had happened.
‘I’m a stupid old woman,’ she sighed, gazing at her reflection in the window. ‘Why do I walk on eggshells for Emily? Had I kept my thoughts to myself, none of this would have happened.’
She switched on the TV and tried to connect with a holiday programme but her mind wouldn’t let her. ‘I haven’t had a holiday for years since my wonderful husband, Robin, died. Well, there’s no time like the present,’ she said, thumping the armchair with her fist.
Two hours later she’d booked an online morning ferry crossing to France and sent a text to Cara. Her reply was instant: ‘Good for you. Go for it, Grandma, but stay safe. Love you.’
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