Winds of Change by Anna Jacobs

more do you need?’
    She gestured around. ‘This place could never feel like home. There’s the money, too. You won’t even tell me how much income I’m entitled to from the trust.’ She took a deep breath and remembered what Sally and Lou had dinned into her. ‘My lawyer will be dealing with that. I’ve been instructed to say as little as possible.’
    â€˜Whoever you’ve hired, you’re wasting your money. Believe me, I know how to write a will.’
    â€˜Sally Patel doesn’t think so.’ Miranda was delighted to see his mouth fall open in shock.
    â€˜I don’t believe it! She’d not take on such a petty case.’
    â€˜She already has done.’
    â€˜Well, I’m very busy so your irresponsible lawsuit will have to damned well wait,’ he said at once. ‘I’ve got important cases and I can’t possibly deal with such a minor matter now.’
    â€˜It’s not minor to me,’ she said quietly. ‘I’m fighting for my happiness here.’
    Again he looked at Lou instead of her. ‘I resent your interference, Rayne.’
    â€˜All I did was introduce her to Sally.
You
set up the situation here by buying this cat-box without consulting her.’
    Sebastian might have been sucking a lemon, so sour was his expression, but in the presence of another person he was at least holding back the anger he’d normally have unleashed on her, Miranda thought gratefully. It might be cowardly but she did so hate it when he shouted and shoved her against walls. He’d even shaken her hard once or twice until their father had stopped him.
    â€˜I’ll see Sally when I have time and not before.’
    After he’d gone, Lou went across to the wheelchair and sank down in it with a groan of relief. ‘Hurts to stand for too long. Come and sit on those steps for a minute.’
    She sat beside him in the empty echoing room. ‘I hate it here.’
    â€˜Who wouldn’t? Congratulations on standing up to him.’
    â€˜He’ll find a way to get what he wants, though. He always does.’
    â€˜We’ll give him a run for his money, though. Now, let’s get a locksmith in. We don’t want him given access to this place day and night, do we?’
    She looked at him in delight. ‘Why didn’t I think of that?’
    â€˜You’ve not had the practice I have at dealing with conniving rats. By the time I die, you’ll be a much more cunning person, I promise you; a real she-devil.’
    She got up and gave him a hug. ‘Thank you.’
    He patted her cheek as she started to move away and the smile they shared seemed to warm her right through.
    Regina studied Minnie as they shared a cup of tea that afternoon. ‘Well, you certainly upset Seb today. He took Dorothy and me out to lunch and never smiled once. When I asked how you liked your flat, he said you were being influenced by some cheapskate businessman who was playing the sympathy card.’
    â€˜Lou’s never asked for sympathy from me or anyone else.’
    â€˜Can I meet this friend of yours? I’m curious.’
    â€˜Lou’s got a medical appointment this afternoon and will need to rest tonight.’
    â€˜Seb said he was in a wheelchair.’
    â€˜Yes.’ She changed the subject. It was no business of Regina’s what was wrong with Lou, especially as the information would inevitably get back to Sebastian. ‘Have you rung Nikki today? Is she all right?’
    â€˜I’m not going to ring her. She put the phone down on me last time.’
    â€˜You must have upset her.’
    â€˜Well, she’s upset me, too. When I think of all the time and effort I’ve invested in her – children can be very ungrateful.’
    â€˜She’s legally an adult at eighteen, and these decisions affect her life, not yours.’
    â€˜Minnie, keep out of it. You don’t understand.’ The minute