Eliza sat there, tears streaming down her face, as she burned another one of the letters. She couldn't bear to look her husband in the eye anymore. He had let her down, and ruined her family's life. She got lost in these thoughts, but was rudely shaken from them by a knock at the front door.
'I'll get it for you' her sister Angelica said. She rose from Eliza's side and left the room. She returned a few minutes later with a weary young woman in a red dress. Eliza couldn't help but notice her eyes, sparkling like a beacon in the mess.
'Maria. You've done enough damage. Leave.' Eliza said in a sharp tone which made Maria shudder.
'Eliza, please. You know that's not why I'm here. I need to apologise.'
'Then go ahead' She barked at Maria.
'I'll stay out of your way' Angelica nodded curtly and made her exit.
Maria sat down on the sofa, and looked around at the room. She saw the pile of letters addressed to Eliza, and she saw the pile of ash next to them. She sat in silence, and simply passed Eliza another letter for her to burn. They locked eyes, and Eliza finally spoke.
'I know it wasn't you, Maria. It was James, and Alex. They're the ones to blame here'
Maria smiled, and nodded.
'Can I crash here for a while? I've got nowhere to stay. If you're worried about me and Alex, you don't have to let me'
Eliza smiled, and replied in an instant.
'You won't have to worry about Alex. Angelica will make sure he's not causing any trouble, and you're welcome to stay for as long as you like. But at the moment, you'll have to share my room. Angelica and John have the spare room'
Maria smiled back.
'Okay. Fine by me, Eliza.'
Eliza blushed a deep red, and Maria picked up on it.
'Oh. At it again, Eliza?' Angelica said with a smirk. She'd walked in while they were in silence.
'At what?'
'Stealing the cute ones'
Angelica said this with such charm that Maria also turned pink.