Chapter Forty-One
Zach’s henchman drove them through the winding Cornish roads as if Effie wasn’t there.
He didn’t even acknowledge her, not even a glance or a single word.
Although she was grateful he was keeping his eye on the road, she didn’t like the feeling that she’d been packaged up and sent away.
The radio wasn’t even on. The silence in the van was oppressive as they lurched around corners.
Effie wound the window down a notch in an attempt to relieve the tension.
She should have stood up to Zach. After all he was nothing more than a bully, but something about him had always put her on edge.
It baffled her how someone as placid as Clive could have such a nightmare son.
However, with the van on standby, Effie didn’t think any of her protests would have changed the outcome.
Maybe this had been the plan all along? Maybe Clive just didn’t have the heart to tell her.
She’d have to wait to speak to Maddie and hopefully her friend would have some information.
The Cornish countryside gave way to the outskirts of Penzance and soon the van was turning into Effie’s parents’ street.
She gulped back a sob at the sight of it, the garden in full bloom, the cheerful gnomes beside the front door like a welcoming party.
She hadn’t realised how much she had been enjoying her own flat, her own life, until now.
Coming home felt like a massive step back.
The henchman stopped the van and pulled the handbrake up with a crunch.
Effie wondered if he’d say something now, but instead a few more moments of silence passed before she opened the door and jumped out, glad to be out of the oppressive atmosphere.
She pulled her bag onto her shoulder and made her way to the front gate.
As she pushed it open, the front door opened and her dad stood there, a mug of tea in his hand and a puzzled expression on his face.
‘Effie, what on earth has happened, love?’ He placed the mug of tea down on the step as Effie hurried up the garden path, relief washing over her as he pulled her into a hug. It was only then that the tears rushed over the dam she’d built since pulling away from the shop.
‘What’s going on?’ Brian asked the driver, who was unceremoniously dumping Effie’s bags on the path.
His only answer was a shrug before he jumped back into the van and sped away, leaving Effie standing in her childhood garden, her hopes and dreams packed up in bags around her feet.
‘Go inside. I’ll bring in your things,’ her dad said gently.
Sniffling, Effie stepped into her home, her heartrate instantly calming at being surrounded by the familiarity that had shored her up her entire life.
The warm yellow walls, the bright paintings on them, the smell of the fabric softener her mum used.
It was like stepping into a hug. Effie helped her dad pull the bags into the hallway before following him into the kitchen where he flicked on the kettle.
‘I think there’s some chocolate cake left in that tin,’ Brian said as he made two mugs of tea. ‘I think this situation necessitates a slice.’
Effie lifted the lid of her mum’s red and white spotted baking tin, and a divine, rich aroma arose. Sure enough, inside was a chocolate loaf cake. Effie cut two large slices, placed them on plates and carried them over to the table.
‘I thought you were enjoying Polcarrow,’ Brian began gently.
‘I was. I actually really loved being there, but Zach turned up and apparently I’m not running the shop correctly. He had the guy in the van on standby to bring me home.’
‘What? But you were doing wonderfully.’
Effie shrugged. ‘I know but it’s sort of his business. Well, his family business.’
Brian narrowed his eyes. This wasn’t the first time Effie had brought woeful tales of Zach’s bad behaviour home. ‘Does Clive know about this? At the opening he was telling us how well you’d done and how he knew you’d be the best person for the job.’
This made the situation even more confusing.
Especially as he’d said the same to her.
Effie shook her head. ‘No. He’s on holiday.
I don’t know what to believe. I don’t think Clive would’ve changed his mind without telling me himself but maybe he couldn’t face doing it.
Zach is a bulldozer.’ She sipped her tea.
‘I should’ve put up more of a fight but it was such a shock. ’
Brian gave her hand a squeeze. ‘I’m sure it’s a misunderstanding. You’ll find out more when you chat to Clive. He’ll sort it out, I’m sure.’
‘I hope so. I’ll have to go back to work at the main shop now, I guess,’ she said. ‘Maybe the others will know what’s going on. I think I’m only fired from the Polcarrow branch, not the entire company.’ At least she hoped that was the case.
However, the prospect of returning to a shop that had been her haven didn’t feel as appealing as it once had. If anything, Effie felt as if she’d been forced to take a giant step back. Again.