Francis sighs heavily, meeting the detective's eyes. He's got his mother and their family lawyer flanking his sides, his mother stating that as his lawyer and mother, they have a right to be there even though he's eighteen and legally an adult in France.
"When was the last time you saw Madamoiselle Flemming?" Duval asks him.
Francis turns to his mother and she shares a glance with Stéphane Narcisse. He gives the woman a nod and his mother gives him a comforting look that means he can divulge this one snippet of information to the police.
"At Prom," he finally says. "She was talking to Kenna and Kenna encouraged her to kiss one of my friends, Julien Varga. Lola did as told and my attention was mostly on my girlfriend afterwards. We excused ourselves to..." He blushes, hoping that he does at least. "Well... I can't talk about that in front of my mother."
"Francis!" Catherine chastises even though she knows. "Honestly, kids these days. Sex is the only thing on their minds."
Duval shares a glance with Pierre and they both nod at each other once.
She turns to Francis. "How was your relationship with Lola?"
Francis smiles a little. "She was my girlfriend's best friend. They fell out over university choices, we were all planning to stay in France but Lola had secretly accepted a place at Harvard. I told Mary to make things up with her because they've been friends since they were little. That's like sixteen years of friendship down the drain just because one person wants to go their own path. I hope they made up before..." His throat closes up and he looks away. "I can't believe it. She was lovely. I was telling Julien about asking her out, she wanted for nothing and well, he was in love with her." He turns to his mother. "We ought to see how he's getting on, he must be so distraught."
He's shocked with himself. How he can act so well. It's hard to keep the spite away from his words but he does it. This girl ruined his relationship with Mary.
...
Two Months Ago
"We... shouldn't," Francis says, backing away and covering his face. "I love Mary for God's sake and-"
"Francis, she slept with Bash," Lola tells him softly. "I mean, she ran away with him. They were planning this whole new world without you."
Francis shakes his head. "No."
"She's never loved you," Lola continues. "She'd tell us about her and Bash and how much they had something more than you and she ever did."
Francis's eyes sting with tears and he swallows hard. "Tell me you're lying."
"I'm her best friend, she always keeps her deepest, darkest secrets with me," Lola whispers, cupping his cheeks. "Have one more drink. You need to calm yourself down before you go home. Your family must be so worried."
He leaves her grip and downs the liquor. "How did you know where I was? This B&B is in the middle of nowhere."
Lola shrugs. "I didn't. I came here to get a breather from the boarding house," she admits. "It's... suffocating, you know?"
"The whole, damn school is suffocating," he replies.
"Kenna and Mary thrive in it. They're Queen Bees."
Francis laughs wryly. "With money, comes power."
Lola nods in agreement, sitting beside him on the bed. "Sadly, my family have none."
He turns to her in surprise. "But your family are filthy rich?"
She shakes her head. "We lost everything," she breathes out shakily. "They managed to get enough to pay for my remaining school and boarding fees. But we're in a bad place."
"Have you told the girls?"
Lola scoffs, rolling her eyes. "Kenna bought a fifteen-hundred euro dress two months ago. Do you seriously think I can tell her of all people that we're broke? She spends money like it's water flowing down a stream."
"I can't speak for Kenna but I know Mary would be understanding-"
"She's worse. Well, not really but she won't understand. Her mother throws money at her just to make up for the fact, that her father is dead. And her mother doesn't want to spend time with her or her half-brother," Lola replies casually.
Francis frowns. "I doubt she would be horrible about it. She would understand-"
"No."
"But-"
"Mary only cares about herself. Francis, she doesn't give a shit about you, me, Bash or anyone else for that matter," Lola snaps. "It's all about her. She gets what she wants because she plays the 'dead dad' card and gets away with everything. Francis, you deserve better than her. She'll only keep breaking your heart. I mean, who sleeps with your boyfriend's brother even if you're on a break. And why are you even on a break? Over miscommunication about where you'd want to go to university together? Francis, she isn't the end-all and be it all. Mary is empty, all she gives you are empty promises."
Lola grabs the bottle of liquor and gulps some down. From the corner of her eye, she knows that Francis is staring at her in disbelief. Whether he's come to a realisation or not, she doesn't know why he stares so hard.
He takes the bottle for himself and she nods.
"You're a great guy, Francis," she whispers. "You deserve the damn world."
The next thing she knows, she's pressing her lips against his again. He doesn't even fight it this time and flips her onto the bed, deepening the kiss.
He knows it's wrong and his head is screaming 'no!' but his body is doing a different thing entirely.
I'm sorry, Mary.
...
Present Day
"Francis, why is my car blocked in? I need-"
Bash freezes and his eyes land on the police who turn to look at him.
"Sebastién de Poitiers?" Duval asks.
"Who's asking?" He retorts cooly.
Duval narrows her eyes as she smiles a plastic smile. "In fact, we need to question you."
"That won't be possible," Narcisse starts. "Monsieur de Poitiers here has to attend to matters at one of the hotels as well as his ailing father."
"What he said," Bash says firmly.
"Can we schedule a more appropriate time?" Pierre asks.
Catherine scoffs. "No. My husband's hospitalised, my son is preparing for university and my stepson must attend to matters at our businesses. No time is appropriate in these difficult times."
Bash is surprised that she of all people is defending him. "My stepmother is right. In fact, I need to see my father right now so if you'd kindly unblock my vehicle?"
Duval stands. "Oui, of course."
"Merci," he mumbles, heading out.
She's right behind him and he feels his body temperature rise. As they exit through the front doors and down the marble steps, he unlocks his car and almost jumps when she says something.
"Nice car," she says, coming to inspect it. "Bugatti Divo 2019, right?"
Bash nods. "It is. Birthday gift."
"How old are you?"
"Twenty-one," he replies. "Well, I really must get-"
"Papa got it for you, did he?" Duval asks, wiping a hand down the hood.
Bash narrows his eyes. "Yes."
"As I've caught a minute of your time," she begins much to his displeasure. "Did you know Lola Fl-"
"No, I didn't know her," he says. "I barely spent time with her. In fact, I've only seen her whenever Mary comes around with the rest of the girls. Mary Stuart, my brother's girlfriend."
Duval clicks her tongue. "I've heard something about you and Kenna Beaton hanging out with each other. Do you spend time with Mary Stuart's friends alone?"
"If you don't mind, my stepson has to leave," Catherine's sharp voice comes from the doors.
Duval smiles politely. "Some witnesses saw you sneaking in and out of St. Francois Private Boarding House. Mary Stuart lives at home. So, you must be there to see either Lola Flemming, Greer Seton-Norwood, Aylee Livingston or Kenna. Kenna Beaton."
Bash laughs in slight disbelief. "Fine. She needed a date for Prom and she was wondering if I'd go with her. We've known each other since we were kids, her, me, Mary, my brother and rest of my half-siblings. We're all close. Over the years, we've not really socialised as much but I wasn't going to let her go dateless. Prom is a big thing at that school, I know from my own time there. We had to colour coordinate so I saw her a few times. We're just friends."
"Yeah," Duval says. "As one should be when she's sleeping with your father?"
Catherine gasps and Bash grips his car keys tightly.
"Who told you that?" Catherine demands from her.
"No one. Except CCTV footage taken from a hotel. Perhaps, your husband wasn't as clumsy as you thought," Duval states thoughtfully.
Bash swallows hard. "I need to go. Now."
"Monsieur-"
"Do not let me call security. Police or not, you do not have a warrant and we have been very accommodating of you so far," Bash snaps, pulling his door open and getting into his car, slamming the door.
He starts his car and revs it to give Duval a hint.
Duval raises her hands in defence and gets into her own car, moving it enough for him to speed out of the compound.
"Merde," Bash curses, slamming the steering wheel.
...
Three Weeks Ago
"I-I didn't mean-"
"Dad? Papa, can you hear me? Papa?" Bash cries out, tapping his father's unconscious face as the man lies on the ground.
Bash looks up and sees Kenna staring down at them, wide and teary-eyed.
"He-He was about to..." She starts sobbing and brings her hands to her head. "I didn't mean to push him, he-he just fell back and over the railing..."
Bash quickly puts his father on his front and dials for an ambulance. He doesn't press 'call' yet, just looks up at Kenna and swallows hard.
"You need to leave."
"Bash, I'm so sorry-"
"Go!"
She jumps and she comes down the stairs quickly, her heels somehow keeping her steady as she grips the handrail. She sidesteps away from Henry and Bash, backing away from the situation, to the door.
"Kenna?"
She stops, looking fearfully at Bash. "Yeah?"
"Is this the first time he's done something like this to...?"
Kenna shakes her head, letting out a sob. "I wanted to leave him. He wouldn't let me go and tried to... I'm so sorry."
"It will be fine. My father's been clumsy of late," Bash says nonchalantly. "He's taken a tumble down the stairs and knocked himself out. We can only hope he'll be alright."
Kenna sends him a grateful look and leaves.
Bash returns his attention to his father and waits at least ten minutes before calling the ambulance.
...
Present Day
"Duval knows."
"Knows what?" Kenna asks numbly.
Bash shrugs. "I don't know. People saw me coming in and out of the boarding house - I said we were Prom dates and needed to coordinate. They have CCTV footage of you and my dad together at a hotel. They'll find out that Lola knew. About you and my dad."
Kenna curses. "What are we going to do?"
"We didn't do anything," Bash says, turning to her. "But they could very well point the finger at us. We covered up what happened to my dad and Lola found out about your affair and-"
"Shut up."
"What?"
Kenna looks around and sees that they're alone. "Mary's staff are like flies on the wall," she explains. "Keep your voice down."
Bash nods in understanding. "Tell me about it. I paid one of ours off to keep quiet - he saw what really happened."
"I don't understand how she found out," Kenna whispers, eyes wide. "She insinuated that I destroyed people's lives."
"She did that," Bash says, slightly angrily. "Francis and I have just got back on track. No thanks to her."
Kenna sighs heavily. "Lola was pregnant with Francis's baby."
"Shit," Bash curses. She's confirmed his suspicions.
"Don't tell him," she quickly says. "I... I knew before Mary did. I saw her taking a test the morning of Prom and... I tried getting her to hook up with Julien but she never listened. Not that it matters now. Neither have a life."
Bash turns and leaves her side, getting some juice from the fridge. "I mean, she was a terrible person - a wolf in sheep's clothing but she didn't deserve to die. Nor her baby."
Kenna shakily nods. "Right."
Sobs leave her mouth and he puts the juice down, coming over to hug her tightly.
"I know how much you cared about her," he whispers, kissing her head. "I'm sorry."
Kenna clenches his suit jacket tightly, digging her face into his chest. "I... I can't believe it. I want to believe this is a nightmare."
He lifts her chin up and cups her cheeks. "Things will get easier. You will get through everything, I swear."
She leans up and kisses him once. "I can't believe she found out about us-"
"What?"
"She... knew about our little agreement."
Bash looks away from her. "Was she planning to use it against you? Tell Mary that we have been sleeping together for the past two years, just sex, no strings attached?"
"I guess."
"Well, what use would that be?" He asks, undoing the belt to her robe. "I mean, Mary's with Francis and you are free to sleep with whoever you want." He kisses her neck. "And so am I."
Kenna brings his head to hers and kisses him deeply, feeling his fingers trail up her hip from underneath her lace nightie. He hooks a finger around the side of her matching lacy underwear and just before he hikes it down, Mary walks in and gasps.
"Oh, mon Dieu!"
"Mary!"
Mary looks away, holding a hand to her chest. "How long has this been going on?"
Bash rolls his eyes. "Why do you care?" He snaps.
Mary looks at him, hurt. "I know I hurt you-"
"Hurt me?" He asks, incredulous. "Mary, you led me on. You told Francis that it was me but we all know it was you."
"Bash," Kenna says softly, drawing his attention to her. "It's in the past."
He softens and nods. "I've got to go. A burst pipe at one of the hotels and I need to see my dad."
Kenna kisses him, running her fingers through his hair before he pulls away and pecks her once more. "I'll see you later."
"Yeah," he whispers before he leaves the two women alone.
"It started off as friends with benefits," Kenna says to Mary. "Lola's death put things into consideration. He's not hung up on you, don't worry. At one point, I was scared he'd call your name out when we had sex. He's never done that, so he's trying." She laughs a little.
Mary smiles happily. "I'm glad for you both," she says honestly. "You suit each other better."
Kenna blushes. "I'm lying."
"What?"
"It wasn't after Lola's death that we... I did it," Kenna whispers.
Mary frowns. "Did what?"
"I pushed Henry," she admits. "Bash covered it up because I was sleeping with Henry and he changed... he changed, Mary. He hurt me, he tried to..."
Mary gasps and rushes over, bringing Kenna into a tight hug. "You don't need to say anything. Oh, my God. I'm so sorry."
"Mary, Lola found out about that. She didn't know he was hurting me, but she knew that we were seeing each other," Kenna mumbles. "Bash erased his touch and made everything better. He protected me."
"Good," Mary breathes out. "Henry will be fine. Hopefully, he won't remember anything and you won't be charged with attempted manslaughter. There's too much police around, too much drama. God, I can't wait until Francis and I go to Scotland and leave it all behind."
Kenna smiles warmly, pulling away. "I was thinking about doing Business. Help Bash out with the company, foreign relations or something. Anything to be close to him."
"Do what's best for you," Mary tells her happily. "You've both got this. We all have."
"I'm glad that you finally know about us."
"Is it serious?"
"As much as it can be," Kenna replies.
...
Three Nights Ago
Bash tries to spot Kenna in the crowd but there are so many people here. He sees Francis give him a nod of acknowledgement along with Leith and he raises a hand in a wave before heading back out of the hall.
He tries her phone but there is no answer.
He finally spots her, in a conversation with Greer and Aylee. She seems out of it and she downs her drink before excusing herself from the girls. He sets his target on meeting her in the middle of her journey.
"Kenna."
Her eyes widen and she smiles. "Y-You came."
"I couldn't leave you all alone," he says, slipping a casual arm over her shoulders. He tries to make it friendly, tries not to let people know they're kind of together.
"Thank you," she whispers. "God, Lola's been doing my head in. She called me a 'whore', you know?"
Bash looks down at her. "She doesn't understand."
Kenna scoffs. "Isn't that the understatement of the year?" She says bitterly, looking up at him. "I need a drink. And you inside-"
"Not here," he says softly. Not that he doesn't want her but they're too exposed here, someone would catch them and find out.
Kenna looks around and spots Mary and Lola in a heated conversation. She sighs and clicks her tongue. "This bitch just loves making storms wherever she passes, hmm?"
"Ignore her," Bash says. "She won't tell anyone."
"You don't know Lola like I do. She can't keep her mouth shut," Kenna tells him. She looks at her empty cup. "I need another drink."
"Slow down-"
"Bash, I want a boyfriend, not a babysitter," she snaps, leaving his side.
Bash sighs heavily and leaves the hall, seeing Lola head down the hall towards the toilets. He jogs up to her and pulls her into the girls' changing rooms, sitting her down on the middle bench.
"Whatever you thought you heard-"
"Kenna tried to kill your dad! Why are you defending her?" Lola asks in disbelief. "The man literally spent five million euros on you this year alone. What the fuck?"
Bash scoffs. "You don't know anything."
"I know that they've been seeing each other since the Christmas party your family hosted," Lola says. "Something obviously changed..." She gasps. "Oh, did you guys plan the whole thing? You always were so secretive, talking behind corners and empty halls."
"Lola, just stay away from Kenna. You seriously don't know what she's going through-"
"She's a whore, Bash! Oh, my God," Lola drawls out. "Kenna is destruction, she is literally the definition in a bloody dictionary. She's fire and you will get burned because she gets rid of people like they are nothing. You probably mean less to her as a friend than her Louboutin heels. She's playing you. She probably got him to add her name to his will and then pushed him to his death."
"That's not what happened-"
"Maybe you both planned it," Lola breathes out, eyes wide. "You're inheriting the family business. Francis will only be a board member because he wants to do Law like Catherine. Maybe, you both made a plan. She gets what she wants and so do you. She does the deed and you clean it up and stage it to make it seem like Henry fell himself."
She stands and meets him in the eye.
"Bash, you will always be second best," Lola tells him softly. "To Mary, to Kenna, to Francis even. Hell, perhaps your mother because she has three kids before you, doesn't she? She doesn't even care about you. When was the last time she got in contact? Too busy living it large with husband number six or maybe, it was nine? Henry's little whores will always have poor Bash wrapped around their fingers. Diane, Kenna-"
He slams her against the locker before he curses and lets her go, running his hands over his hair.
"I'm sorry. I didn't...," he breathes out. "You've got it all wrong, Lola. What happened with Kenna-"
"You're just like your father," Lola tells him. "You hurt people to get what you want. It's going to take a lot more to shut me up because I think a visit to a future relative is in store."
"What?" Bash asks, confused.
"Oh, didn't you know?" Lola asks him. "I'm carrying your niece or nephew. Their grandfather will be so happy to find out, and I'll tell him all about his little topple off the bannister."
Bash glares at her. "Don't."
"Or what?"
"You're lying," Bash suddenly says. "You can't be pregnant. Francis said he didn't sleep with you-"
"Oh, brother dearest sure does love lying," Lola says tauntingly. "Doesn't trust you enough with the truth."
Bash blinks in surprise. "What do you want?"
"I'm going to Massachusetts in two days time. I'm going to need enough for a plane ticket and an apartment," Lola tells him.
Bash slips his phone out of his pocket. "How much?"
"Apartments are costly. I know your dad bought one for you there," Lola says. "Francis mentioned it once. Henry always provides for his children."
"Fifty thousand euro - plane tickets, travel, whatever. And I'll give you the address and code to my apartment," Bash whispers.
"Oh, thank you. You're too kind," Lola says, pressing a kiss on his cheek and leaving.
Bash doesn't send anything, he locks his phone and sits down.
...
Present Day
Greer stares at the food in front of her.
"Is the food not to your liking?"
Greer jumps, sending a quick polite smile to Madame Matilda Bayard. "It is wonderful. Excuse me, I'm just feeling a bit under the weather."
She feels Leith's hand on her knee and he rubs it comfortingly. She turns to him with a smile and turns back to his parents. They have allowed her to stay until her parents come to France after their business trip.
"My parents," she starts, picking up her fork and stabbing it into a morsel of beef. "Are coming, this weekend. They're shocked about the news."
"We all are," Leith's father, Richard, says softly. "Lola was your friend, wasn't she?"
She nods. "She was. Best friend, actually. We were closer than any of the other girls. I can't believe it."
The doorbell rings and Leith excuses himself to answer it. He returns with Detectives Duval and Pierre and the Bayard parents roll their eyes at the intruders of their lovely dinner.
"Monsieur Bayard," Duval says, smiling. "Nice to see you again."
"Do you have a warrant?" Richard asks, stuffing beef into his mouth and chewing.
Duval purses her lips. "I just need to have a conversation with Madamoiselle Seton-Norwood. We can do it here or at the station."
"Here's fine," Greer quickly says, sending the older couple a small smile as Leith's sister, Calynn sends her a wary look. Be careful.
Greer stands and leads the detectives to the conservatory, a butler quickly serving them with tea and biscuits. "So?"
"When was the last time you saw Lola?" Duval asks her.
Greer furrows her brows. "I don't know... She left after she kissed Julien Varga. In fact, that was the last time I saw her that night..."
...
Three Days Ago
"What are you doing here?" Greer asks, seeing Lola fix her dress in the Ladies'. "If Mary or Kenna find out..."
"I don't care what they think," Lola snaps. "It's all about them. Why can't we-"
"Lola, this is Prom night. I don't want drama," Greer cuts her off.
Lola sighs, turning and leaning on the sink counter. "Do you think I want drama?"
"Right now, you're living for it," Greer snaps, rolling her eyes.
"You're one to talk," Lola replies, turning to her. "I know."
Greer furrows her brows. "Know what?"
"Just like they did me, they will drop you. The only reason Aylee manages to survive in this toxic friendship is that she is dumb and won't ever question the hierarchy. So," Lola begins. "Did Daddy invest in poor decisions now that Mummy's dead?"
Greer's eyes sting with tears. "I told Leith that in confidence. How do you-"
"Walls have ears, Greer," Lola cuts her off. "Face it. Kinross Limited is exactly that - limited. You have no money, you pretend that you're still rolling with it by aligning yourselves with the Bayards, hoping that Leith will marry you one day and save the family business... Or that his wealthy godfather would save the day. The one whose wife died."
Greer takes a sharp intake of breath. "I'm not using Leith. I would never. What my dad did to us is unfortunate but Mary and Kenna won't care if I have money in the bank or not."
"Who's paying the rest of your fees?"
Greer looks down. "I asked Leith. He has access to his own money. His parents are fine with it."
"Are they really?" Lola asks, eyebrows raised. "Seriously? No questions asked?"
"Well, they asked and I told them that my dad was unreachable," she replies. "I promised that we will pay them back when he's less busy."
Lola scoffs. "Less busy putting you more into debt."
"Don't tell-"
"Greer, do you really think so low of me?"
"I don't know," Greer hisses at her. "My problems aren't Mary's or Kenna's or even Aylee's. I will find a way, everything will be fine."
Lola shakes her head. "I had high hopes for you, Greer. I believed that you weren't as poisonous as Mary was. As shallow and vain like Kenna. Empty pair of bitches. Sycophant."
Greer rolls her eyes. "Perhaps you shouldn't have slept with Mary's boyfriend. Or judge Kenna for who she is. You don't always see what's inside someone's head, you know?"
"Oh, so Little Miss Perfect has real problems?" Lola asks, laughing in disbelief. "Trust me, the only biggest problem in Kenna's life was that time her nail broke in Food Technology. Such a drama queen."
"Her nail had split on the nailbed! Blood was everywhere!" Greer defends her dear friend.
"Do you know that Kenna sleeps with older men?"
Greer nods. "It's general knowledge. What about it?"
"And their sons... alike?"
Greer narrows her eyes. "What are you getting at?"
"What if Kenna slept with a married man, pushed him to his almost death and fucked his son?" Lola asks her.
Greer tuts. "I don't have time for this," she says, walking away. "It's her damn life. Maybe you're obsessed with her!"
"Won't be the first one!" Lola says. "The Whore of the School! And her dumb, poor blonde friend and sociopathic best friend."
Greer stops and turns to Lola, her eyes flashing dark. "You're horrible. I don't know what happened to you but this isn't our Lola."
"I'm sick of you all! All with your perfectness and Queen Bee stances. You're fake, faker than the Chanel you wear," Lola tells her. "They must be really blind to see that you're replacing the real deal with fake things. Does Kenna know what happened to her Birkin bag her parents got for her eighteenth yet?"
Greer's heart skips a beat and she shakes her head. "I will replace them as soon as poss-"
"Greer, I like you. So, I'll give you about two days to tell them or I will," Lola tells her.
"What do you want?" Greer whispers fearfully. "I'll do anything-"
"Not so high and mighty, are we now?" Lola asks, crossing her arms. "Your little boyfriend gave you a car for your birthday in December. Sell it and give me the money."
Greer gasps softly, gulping. "I can't. That's how I can get to work-"
"Did I stutter?"
"No-"
"Sell the car, give me the money or tell Kenna that you sold her birthday present."
Greer shakily nods. "Fine. I'll get you the money."
She leaves, bursting into sobs.
...
Present Day
"...Honestly, the whole night was a blur. I drank, danced, laughed, talked... Lola and I barely spoke two words to each other," Greer tells them.
"Did you and she ever get into falling outs like the one she had with Madamoiselle Mary?" Pierre asks.
Greer shakes her head. "No," she replies. "Lola and I were really close but we just drifted apart as the term came to an end. I was busy looking at university interviews and what I'm going to do in the future. I guess we all were considering our futures. All we knew was that we'd want to stay in France, Lola had other plans. I was happy for her and now she won't ever..." She sniffles, wiping tears from her eyes. "She won't get to go."
"What time did you last see her?" Duval asks her.
"As I said, everything was a complete blur," Greer says. "I think I saw her kiss some guy and then leave? I can't remember if they left together or not because I took my boyfriend to the dancefloor by then."
Duval nods and jots that down. "May we speak with Monsieur Bayard Jr?"
"You may," Leith says himself, taking a seat beside his girlfriend.
Greer gets up and leaves, leaving the male blonde to relax on the seat, his arms spread over the back of the sofa. He offers the detectives more tea and biscuits and they accept before questioning him.
"When was the last time you saw Lola Flemming?" Pierre asks him.
Leith shrugs. "I wasn't all that focused on her if I'm honest. I guess when she kissed one of my friends? I had a few to drink and was pulled into a dance with my girlfriend."
"Were you close with Lola? Did you hang out frequently?"
"No. I only hung out with Greer alone or if we had to be in company, I only conversed with Greer," Leith replies. "Don't get me wrong, I was somewhat friends with her friends but there is only so much a man can talk about with a woman. Makeup and hair accessories are not my thing."
He shares a chuckle with the detectives.
"Lola was a lovely girl. She was a good friend to Greer, they were closer with each other than they were with the others. Things have been difficult, stressful lately. Now to lose a friend, a sister... I can't imagine what any of them are going through," Leith says softly. "It's awful. Just awful..."
...
Three Nights Ago
"What did you say to Greer?"
Lola halts in her stride and turns to face Leith. "Nothing she doesn't know already."
"Greer is your friend."
"Really? I remember her joining Mary and Kenna in ignoring my existence most of the time," Lola replies.
Leith places a hand on his hip and pinches the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes. "I know about her money troubles. Whatever you asked from her, I'll do for you instead."
"One hundred thousand."
"The Mini Cooper doesn't even cost that much," Leith cries out.
"Well, you're doubling what it's worth," Lola replies easily. "Didn't you have it custom-made for your future wifey?"
Leith rolls his eyes. Hard. "Fine. Give me a day to sort it out."
"You have a day," Lola affirms.
"What do you need the money for anyway?"
"As if that is any of your business," Lola snaps.
Leith raises his eyebrow and smirks. "Oh, someone's got herself in a spot of trouble, hasn't she? What? Did your parents disown you?"
Lola looks away. "Shut up, Leith."
"Oh, they did!"
"They didn't-"
"It's fine. Everyone abandons their kids at one point. Yours did a bit earlier than others," Leith tells her. "Well, you'll get your money if you drop whatever you have against Greer."
Lola ponders the thought before nodding. "Fair enough. Otherwise, the whole school knows how much of a faker she is."
"Don't hurt Greer," Leith says softly. "She's the only one left on your corner. If not Aylee."
Something flashes in Lola's eyes but she shakes her head. "Whatever. You have a day."
She leaves him and Leith raises his eyebrows when he sees Bash heading out of the girls' locker room. He follows him.
"Bash!"
"Leith," Bash mumbles, turning to him briefly as they walk. "Comment ça va?"
"Bien. You?"
"Same."
"So, what are you doing here?" Leith asks.
Bash gives him a wary smile. "You know the girl who wants to win best dressed in that Vera Wang dress?"
Leith mock gasps. "Oh, you mean Kenna?" He asks. "The most beautiful girl in the school? Or the one who believes she is?"
"That's the one," Bash says, chuckling a little.
"You're her date or what?"
"Something like that," Bash replies with a smirk. "Do you want a drink? I need one if I'm going to be her trophy date."
Leith chuckles. "I know exactly where to find the good stuff."
...
Present Day
Aylee stares out her bedroom window. It's nice and hot outside but her mood's too low to enjoy it. She gets up from her bed and walks over to the pinboard in her bedroom.
Lola's picture is in the middle, taken from a group picture of her, Lola and the rest of the girls. Around Lola's picture are the other three girls' pictures and red thread links up to them.
Aylee lifts Francis's picture from her desk, pins it up beside Mary's and takes Bash's as well, putting him between Mary and Kenna. She knows he's linked to both of them.
Leith joins the board, his picture beside Greer's.
She stands back and studies what she's done so far. Lola had told her that she needed to tell her stuff. That Aylee was always last to know.
She goes to her voicemail box on her phone and selects Lola's, placing it to her ear.
"Hey, Ayles. It's me, Lola. I... I have to tell you stuff. I'm leaving soon so you have to know these. Kenna, Greer and Mary aren't as good as friends you think they are. Girls like them only care about themselves and like a moth to a flame, you're going to get burned if you're not careful. They're horrible people. I need to see you so, meet me at half eleven at the swimming pool during Prom. I'll tell you everything then. Love you."
Aylee's eyes sting with tears and she throws the phone onto her bed. She remembers the feeling of blood caking her knees, her hands, her dress. She feels sick, the smell still in her memory, in her nose. Chlorine and blood.
She had to get out of France. Scotland was where she could find things out in peace. Before she left, she took Lola's diary. She hadn't got around to reading it, but she believed it had the answers she was seeking.
What did Lola have on them?
Who killed her?
Was it on purpose?
She had to find out.