Secrets of Silvergum by Mandy Magro

Author:Mandy Magro
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins

CHAPTER 12

Wattle Acres, Silvergum, North Queensland

Not much had changed in the seven years since she’d last stepped foot in here. Emma knew her face was ashen because she’d felt the colour drain as she’d inched her way through the front doors. Memories clung to every inch of the homestead, some good, some horrific; she just had to find a way, for today, to let them all go. Never in her wildest dreams would she have believed she’d be back here. She looked at the table where she and her own mother and Kay Wolfe used to sit, drinking tea and sharing scones when they would pop in for a visit – which was quite often, given the two women were close friends and neighbours. If only she’d known then what she did now, how different their conversations would have been.

Wiping sweaty palms down her cotton skirt, she tried to rid her mind of the harrowing images of Martin Turner collapsing to the floor, blood pouring from the wound where he’d knocked his head against the marble bench top. Just what he’d been doing kneeling on the floor of the kitchen, of all places, was beyond her. Her pulse was racing and had been since stepping foot in here. She wondered if anyone could hear it thudding against her ribcage, for the sound of it filled her head. Turning her back on the busy CWA women who had gathered in the kitchen to lend helping hands, she stole a second of privacy. A tear rolled down her cheek before she even realised she was crying – if only Peter hadn’t lied to them about Martin being part of the Mafia, she would have gone to the police. What had he wanted to cover up with his deceitfulness? It sure as heck wasn’t to save her sorry arse. With a quivering hand she quickly wiped the tears away and drew in a steadying breath. Nobody could know what had happened in here. She needed to get a damn grip.

Placing the bowl of whipped cream in the fridge for the time being, she shuddered as if icy fingers had run up her spine. A home was meant to be full of warmth and love and security, but all she felt in this place was loathing and fear. But she could do this – she just had to. The funeral done and dusted, the wake had now begun – a few more hours and it would all be over, and she and Riley could move on with their lives. The sun-drenched kitchen was a hive of activity; too much for her quivering nerves. She excused herself, desperately needing a few moments to calm down. She forced a smile she was far from feeling as she saw Riley, pausing briefly to brush a kiss over her cheek in passing.

Touched by something far deeper than the gloomy hallway, she shivered as she made her way to the bathroom, the scorching temperatures outside doing nothing to rid the chill of the place.

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