Roxy was struck dumb by her sister's question for a moment. What's she talking about? What is her problem with dad, he's been nothing but good to her and she just throws it back in his face, everything he does, it's never enough for her – there's always got to be an ulterior motive!
"What?"
Ronnie cocked her head to the side slightly, a small smile on her lips. "He knew I was leaving, we even said our goodbyes – didn't he tell you?"
"Nah," Roxy replied, shaking her head, refusing to believe what Ronnie was saying. "He wouldn't do that."
"Wouldn't he?" Their blue eyes locked together in a silent battle that Roxy knew she had no chance of winning, because somewhere deep down, she knew Ronnie was telling the truth. But she buried that knowledge, placing layer and layer of thoughts on top of it until she didn't have to think about it any longer.
"What're you doin' back here, Ronnie?" Peggy asked, her voice becoming hard and cold at her niece badmouthing her husband.
Ronnie looked at her, shocked at the iciness of her words. "Don't worry, I won't be staying, I just came to give Amy her present." She placed the small pink parcel on the low coffee table and stood up from where she was sitting, making for the door.
"Ron, wait!" Ronnie stopped, sighing as she turned around to face her sister once again. "How long you staying for?"
"Not long, a few days max."
"You'll come back tomorrow, though, right?" She asked, practically begging Ronnie. "Right?" Roxy repeated, trying to get her sister to agree. No matter what had gone on between them, she couldn't deny how much she'd missed Ronnie in the time she'd been away. At first, a part of her had been relieved when she didn't have to see her in the Square, day in day out, she didn't have to face up to the guilt of what she had done. She should have known that she would feel it whether or not Ronnie was around.
Ronnie looked at her, the sadness and guilt so clear in Roxy's face. What was the point in punishing her any more than she already had? She wouldn't be able to forgive her little sister for what she had done, but she wasn't going to punish her anymore. Ronnie nodded, "Okay," she whispered, reaching out to her sister before Roxy came running over and embraced her tightly.
"I'm so sorry," Roxy told her, her voice thick with the tears that were falling freely down her cheeks. "I'm so sorry, Ron. I never meant to hurt you, I never meant for any of this to happen. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."
Ronnie held onto her tightly, the warmth of her body soothing her younger sister. "Shh, it's okay. It's okay. Shh, it'll be okay."
Archie stood in the doorway, watching as his two daughters were reunited once again. He smiled and walked into the living room. "My V, back again. You look beautiful."
Roxy felt her sister's body stiffen at the sound of their dad's voice. Hurriedly, Ronnie disentangled herself from their embrace and wiped the tears from her eyes. "I er, I er better go," she stated hastily, once again making for the door. Her father blocked her way.
"Not staying, Veronica?"
"I don't think so," she replied, her voice as icy as Peggy's had been only moments before. "Could you please move?"
Archie nodded, stepping aside so that she could leave. Father and daughter exchanged a last steely glance before Ronnie slipped out of the back of the Vic. She let out a deep rattling breath as she leant against the door to the cellar. The cold air instantly dried her damp cheeks, the winter wind whipping at them. What was Archie still doing there? She knew there might have been a chance she'd see him, but to talk to him? No, that was asking too much.
But what did you expect, barging into the Vic like that? That was some entrance – these hormones are turning me into Roxy! She thought, walking through the deserted market and to her b'n'b. She'd lied to Roxy before, she wasn't here for a few days, just a few more hours. You're making a habit of this, aren't you? Running away in the morning hours – it's what I do best.
"Ronnie?" A voice called out to her in the darkness, causing her to spin around and face the person the voice belonged to.
"Jack."