Maggie by Marie Maxwell

Author:Marie Maxwell
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781780106298
Publisher: Severn House Publishers
Published: 2014-12-08T16:00:00+00:00

Eleven

‘Well, someone’s been in there; I know they have. The money from the cash box was in the drawer in the old biscuit tin from the hotel. I didn’t have time to count it, so I just dumped it in the tin and brought it home.’ Johnnie Riordan’s face reddened with anger as his voice started to get louder. ‘I bloody well know there was a lot more in the tin than there is now. It must have been Maggie! It had to be her; it can’t have been anyone else,’ he shouted, making no attempt to hide his rising frustration.

Although Ruby knew he was probably right, she just couldn’t bring herself to openly condemn her daughter out of hand without talking to her first. She carried on wiping the table as if it was the most important job in the world. She stared down at the surface and rubbed away at an invisible mark. ‘Maybe you made a mistake?’ she said, without looking up. ‘And, anyway, it can only be a couple of pounds. We don’t keep much indoors. Is it really that important?’

‘It’s no mistake, and it’s quite a few quid that’s missing. Anyway, it’s the principle not the money itself. It’s the only room in the house that’s a no-go zone for the kids. All of them. I know the boys wouldn’t have gone in there and stolen money; in fact, I can’t think of anyone who would … except Maggie.’

‘Stolen is a strong word, and I don’t think we should straight away blame her for everything,’ Ruby said, trying to be reasonable. ‘I know she’s being difficult, but so have the boys lately, and—’

Johnnie interrupted Ruby mid-sentence. ‘Difficult nothing, and don’t you try blaming the boys. If they’re difficult, it’s because of her. The Wheatons spoilt her rotten since the minute she was born. They let her think she was a bloody princess who could have whatever she wanted and do anything she took a fancy to – dancing lessons, tennis lessons, everything she asked for – and now you’re doing the same. Seems she can wreak havoc in this family and you’ll still stick up for her. You’re so focused on her, you ignore everyone else.’

Johnnie was furious and pacing the floor, and although she could understand his anger up to a point, it still hurt Ruby that he couldn’t be more understanding of their daughter; more understanding of the fact that, with the best of intentions, they had been the cause of Maggie’s grief and anger.

‘That’s not true, and you know it,’ Ruby responded. ‘I try my best to be fair to everyone, including Maggie …’ She paused and then looked at him. ‘And you, even though you’re an adult.’

‘Like it or lump it, Rubes, I’m right. You only ever consider Maggie nowadays. She’s taking us for idiots, and the boys are suffering because we’re always bloody arguing about her. Well, it’s going to stop.’

Ruby stared at her husband in disbelief. She understood that

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