Chapter 59: Elliot - The Foster Child

Anger surges through me as I stare at the word scrawled on the mirror. I bet it was Violet who smashed up the Christmas cake too. And, as I suspected, is behind all the other stuff. The question is what the hell is she planning next? And is she working alone or with someone else?

‘What’s happened here?’ Cora demands, her voice is icy calm.

‘It’s her, causing trouble again!’ Lori is shaking and pointing her finger at Violet. ‘You had to do it, didn’t you? You had to spoil things, just like you did when we were kids.’

Violet blanches, then her mouth sets in a firm line. ‘It wasn’t me! Just like it wasn’t me, back then. You lied to get me sent away because you couldn’t handle sharing your parents. And you’re doing the same now!’

I stare at the bright red letters, my mind in turmoil. Violet has to be responsible. Lori would never do this.

‘Are you seriously accusing Lori of writing this, Violet?’ Cora demands.

Violet turns to me, her eyes wide. ‘Well, it wasn’t me. You have to believe me. I walked into the bathroom and saw the word written on the mirror. My lipstick was lying on the floor. I bent down and picked it up just as Lori walked in.’ She swivels to face Lori, hands on hips. ‘You set me up. Just like you did before!’

Lori flushes, but her eyes spark in anger. ‘Stop lying! You’ve been having digs at me ever since you arrived. I bet your electric hasn’t really gone off, has it? You made that up as an excuse to come here, knowing that Mum would feel sorry for you and insist that you stay for dinner. I really tried to get on with you and now you’ve spoilt the day. As usual.’ Lori’s hands are trembling and she grips the sink for support. Cora puts her arm around her to support her then turns to Violet.

‘You have to admit that it does look suspicious…’

Violet compresses her lips into a tight line. ‘I don’t expect you to believe me. You never did. You always take Lori’s side. You never ever listened to me.’

‘Lori is my daughter…’ Cora reminds her.

‘Yes, I know that. And I was only your foster daughter. But why bring me into your family and home if you didn’t intend to treat us the same? It’s not fair.’ She gulps. ‘I didn’t do anything, I promise. The writing was on the mirror when I came in. I swear it was.’

She looks genuine but it doesn’t make sense. I know Lori wouldn’t have done this. Lori isn’t confrontational, she hates arguments. I can see her body shaking now and Cora is squeezing her shoulders reassuringly.

‘Violet, there are only four of us in the house. When I came upstairs to the bathroom an hour ago there was no writing on the mirror. Only you and Lori have been up here since then. You went up first. It’s written in your lipstick,’ Cora points out. ‘And I believe Lori when she says she didn’t do it. Why should she? What would she want payback about?’

‘Whereas I do have a reason for revenge,’ Violet retorts.

‘What reason is that?’ I ask quietly.

Lori glares at Violet. ‘She’s getting at me. I was only a kid and I didn’t lie about her.’ Tears spring to her eyes and she wipes them away. ‘I’m sorry about what happened but I was six for goodness’ sake! I was unhappy. I felt like you were taking my place, stealing my parents from me. But I never, ever lied. I never told anyone that you did anything.’ She swallows. ‘And I could have. You were horrible to me.’

‘I was a kid too! I was dealing with stuff you’ve never had to do in your cushy, privileged life. None of you ever talked to me, asked me my side of things. You just sent me back as if it was nothing. Took away from me the only nice home I’d ever known. And just before Christmas too.’ Tears spring to her eyes and she wipes them away with the back of her hand. ‘Have you any idea what it’s like to live in a children’s home? To know that your parents don’t love you enough to care for you?’

‘We really tried, Violet. We wanted to keep you but it wasn’t working out and our own daughter had to come first,’ Cora tells her softly. ‘Surely you can understand that.’

It has to be Violet. We have a high-class security system. No one can get into the house without the alarm being alerted.

She’s not responsible for everything though is she? The Christmas cards, the text, the coin. And Rocky’s murder. She has to be working with someone. Has she already let them into the house?

Violet’s eyes dart from one to the other of us, then she scowls. ‘I hoped you’d changed, Lori, but you obviously haven’t. Well I’m not staying here to be accused of things I didn’t do. Again. I’m not a kid anymore. I genuinely enjoyed being part of your family and was hoping I could be again but I should have known you’d scupper it. Just like before. I’m going home. I’d rather have no electricity than stay here with you. You’re poison.’

‘It wasn’t me!’ Lori shouts at her. ‘You always cause trouble. I wish you hadn’t come here today. You’ve ruined Christmas!’ She runs out of the bathroom.

Suddenly the house is plunged into darkness.

Lori’s screams rend through the air.