Georgie was already standing in the reception of Waterhouse International when Joe arrived. Her eyes strayed to the envelope in his hand.
"Is that..."
"Yeah." Joe glanced around to make sure no one was listening.
"Have you opened it?" she said accusingly.
"I said I wouldn't."
She looked at him suspiciously but his expression gave nothing away.
"Shall we?" Joe nodded at the room with Tom Waterhouse's name on the door.
"Yeah. Might as well." She followed him into the room, perching on the desk.
Joe rolled his eyes and held out the envelope.
"Here. You open it."
She took the results tentatively.
"Are you okay?" he asked, seeing her face. For the first time, she looked nervous.
"Of course."
"Done lots of these, have you?"
"Ha ha." She stripped the seal, breathing deeply, "okay. So, this is it, I guess?" She looked at him, seeing his expression.
"Go on." He prompted.
She carefully eased the paper from the envelope and unfolded it, skimming it.
The word "Match" blared out at her.
"It's positive," she gasped.
"What?" He snatched the letter off her.
"100 per cent match." She stared at him, wide eyed. "Well, 99.9 per cent."
He slumped into a chair, staring at the result.
"So..." she said quietly.
"I don't believe it." He rubbed his temples.
"I'm... your sister." Georgie breathed, "I'm a Tate."
Joe took a moment to digest, swallowing hard.
"Yeah. You are." He waved a dismissive hand, "what, were you expecting applause?"
"No." Georgie shook her head, "just some kind of, I don't know, acknowledgement?"
"Financial, I suppose."
"No!" She glared at him. "I'm your sister. Noah's sister."
"So what, you want to play happy families? You, me, Jean and Noah?"
"Well..." She trailed off.
"You really are deluded, aren't you? Thinking that a bit of paper makes you part of the family." He sneered, "it doesn't. Because even if Dad was around, he wouldn't want anything to do with you."
"Why are you being like this?" Her lip trembled.
"Look, I didn't ask you to turn up here, changing everything I've ever thought about my dad. I thought he loved my mother, turns out he just couldn't keep it in his pants!"
"That's not my fault." She folded her arms defiantly.
"No, but yet again it's just proved that I didn't really know my parents."
He turned away, crossing to the window.
"I really wanted to believe that I was the one good thing, the one true thing he did. Turns out that was a lie too."
"Joe." She put her hand on his arm.
"Don't." He pulled away.
"This can be a good thing. We can get to know each other, talk about Dad..." she pleaded.
"Don't call him that!"
"Chris, then." She sighed. "I just want us to be friends."
"Friends, with a money grabbing leech like you?" Joe scoffed.
"I'm not after your money."
"Oh please, Georgina." He drawled, "your mum really thought she was something, didn't she? Sadie? Pity you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear?" He raised his eyebrows, "no? Too complicated for you?"
"I'm a Tate, like you," she repeated. "You'll have to deal with that."
"I'm calling Graham." He reached for his phone. "He can escort you off the premises."
"Are you going to tell him?"
"Tell him what? That a delusional ex-employee turned up claiming she had a DNA test that proved that she was my dad's kid. No, Georgina."
"Stop calling me that!"
"It's your name." Joe reminded her, "Graham doesn't take kindly to intruders, or people who threaten me."
"I haven't. If anyone's delusional, it's you. You think you're so much better than everyone else because you've got money. You're right, maybe Chris wouldn't have cared, but at least I'd know that for certain. You don't really know what he thought of you, do you?" She drawled with venom.
"My father loved me." He glared at her. "I'm the only child he knew about."
"So that's it? You're jealous?" she sneered. "Fine, call your little butler and have me chucked out. I'll be back. You can't get rid of me that easily."
"We'll see, won't we? So you'd best run along back to whatever gutter you crawled out from."
He heard the door close outside.
"Turns out Graham's telepathic." He glanced out of the window.
"Psychopathic, more like. He was so weird with me over Debbie."
"What do you know about Debbie?"
"I know all sorts of things." Her lips curved into a smile. "I did observe a lot while I was working here..."
He stared at her, his mind racing.
"What else do you know?"
"Nothing that would interest you." Georgie answered, "you probably know most of it, anyway."
They were interrupted by the arrival of Graham.
"What's going on?" His dark eyes flicked between Joe and Georgie.
"Ah, Graham." Joe thrust the DNA results at him. "Meet my dear older sister."
"What?" For once, Graham looked completely confused.
Bravely, unabashed, Georgie stepped forward to greet Graham.
"We've met before. Mel." He growled.
"You're very quick," she smirked, "took him a while." She nodded over her shoulder at Joe.
"Where's Jean?" asked Joe.
"With Noah. They've gone to the bowling alley in Hotten."
Joe grimaced at Georgie's smug expression.
"Looks like you're stuck with me, then, doesn't it?"
"Fine," Joe said abruptly. "Let's go and get a drink and we can talk some more."
"No," said Georgie.
"No?" Joe repeated. "I thought you wanted us to be friends."
"Take me to Home Farm. I want to see my birthright."
"Your birthright?" Joe scoffed.
"Perhaps you'd like to come back with me and Joe now?" Graham suggested, with what he hoped was a welcoming smile.
Georgie looked between them, uncertainly.
"Only if you want me there." Georgie replied in a tight voice.
"Just, let me have a word with Graham."
He ushered his right hand man outside into the lobby, shutting the door.
"What are you thinking, inviting her back?" Joe demanded.
"Give her a taste of the high life, Joe. She'll soon get bored."
Joe thought about this. "Fine. Keep your friends close etcetera." He opened the door and smiled at Georgie.
…
"So. Welcome to Home Farm." Joe unlocked the front door and allowed Georgie in. Graham was still in the car.
"Wow." His half-sister looked around. "How long have you lived here?"
"I bought it back in January," Joe explained. "Before that I lived here from when I was four to when I was ten. After Mum—" He broke off. "I lived here with Dad."
"And in between?"
"Boarding schools, holidays with Auntie Zoe in New Zealand. Then London for a while. Then I got a flat in Leeds."
"And Graham?"
Joe glanced at her. "He was my guardian. He's worked for me since I left school."
"What would you do without him?"
"I've no idea." Joe gestured to one of the rooms. "Anyway, this is the lounge, where our father died."
Georgie followed him into the lounge. "Wow," she repeated. She picked up one of the photos on the mantelpiece, of a man in a wheelchair holding up a little blond boy. "Is that you?"
"Yes, and that's Dad." Joe resisted the urge to grab the photo off her.
"And..." Georgie pointed to another photo, of Chris when he could still stand. He had his arm around a young woman who was the spitting image of Jean.
"My aunt Zoe. Jean's mum," Joe clarified. "And that's my mum." He nodded to a photo of a young blonde woman at the end.
"She was pretty," Georgie remarked.
"I don't really remember her," Joe admitted. "Come on, I'll show you the office."
He continued the tour, pointing out his gym equipment, the room where he worked and the kitchen. It was met with a series of "Wow"s.
"Want to see the outside as well?"
"Oh, yes, please!"
The tour continued around the grounds.
"And so we come to the rose garden," Joe threw his arms out grandly, "and through here, the tennis court. It's a bit rough now, of course, but—"
"Do you play?" Georgie asked softly, still in awe of the estate around her. It was incredible to think that had things been different, she might have grown up here.
"I'm not in a professional league, but yes, I play." Joe replied, "mostly with Noah, or my cousin."
"Oh, our brother?"
Joe gave her a strange look.
"Quick off the mark, aren't you?"
"You have to be when you grow up in care."
"I'm sorry," Joe softened, "I assumed you were adopted…"
"I nearly was, a few times." Georgie walked forward to the fence surrounding the tennis court.
"Must've been tough."
"You get on with it. It's the only way." Georgie mused, folding her arms against the fence. "People think I'm just a hard faced bitch."
Joe turned to look at her properly.
"Trust me, you're not. You're like Dad, though. He refused to let anyone grind him down. Didn't believe in crying."
"Feels weird, you being my younger brother." Georgie grinned, "you're taller than me."
"I'm taller than most people." Joe confirmed with a smile. "Fancy a game?"
"What, tennis?"
"Why not? Scared I might beat you?"
"I'm not scared of anything."
"Tate trait." Joe laughed, opening the gate to get onto the tennis court.
Graham watched them from the edge of the courtyard, frowning. Joe seemed to be accepting Georgie already.
…
"So, how did you enjoy the tour? I trust everything was to your satisfaction?" Graham queried, making Georgie jump as she consulted her phone in the kitchen.
"Well, it's not Flamingo Land, but yeah, it's okay. Very big."
"Good. We like the highest standards here." He paused, "so, Joe—"
"Taking a call from his, cousin, is it?" Georgie asked, putting her phone away.
"Jean. Yes. Has Joe said any more about when you might meet up again?"
"We're taking things slowly. It's a lot for him to take in." Georgie kept her distance, feeling uncomfortable, "not that it's any business of yours."
"Not my business?"
"Well, you're Joe's servant, aren't you?"
She knew she had made a mistake as soon as she said it.
Graham advanced on her, coming to stand at her side.
"I was prepared to be reasonable, considering your background, but never make the mistake of underestimating my loyalty."
Georgie raised her chin although her heart was hammering madly.
"Now, I think we can solve this to suit both parties." He reached into his pocket and took out a bulky envelope.
"Solve what?" Georgie asked.
"I think we both know. Whilst your DNA test might prove a match, you're not in this for family."
"How do you know?"
"That would imply that my assumption was correct."
"No, I grew up in care. I like Joe. I want to get to know him, properly. He's my brother."
"What price would you put on that association, hmm?" He laid the envelope on the table and Georgie's eyes flickered to it.
"You see, I've known Joe for a long time and I don't want him getting hurt."
"I'm not going to hurt him, we're family."
"Twenty five thousand pounds." Graham stated, his hand on the envelope.
"What?" Georgie gasped.
"Twenty five thousand pounds. It's yours." Her eyes narrowed, confused.
"If you walk away."
"What? No. No, Joe's my brother." Georgie protested.
"You can drop the act. Joe isn't here. It's just you and me." Graham spoke darkly, calmly, "if you walk away, you'll have the chance to start afresh, with twenty five thousand pounds. It will set you up nicely."
"You think I'm just after the money?"
"No. I have no doubt that you have a genuine interest in the family. However, I also know that you lied about your identity to gain employment. Trust is important."
Georgie folded her arms.
"So what? Walk away or...?"
"Let's not make things difficult." She was chilled by Graham's voice, "I'm sure you want Joe to be happy."
"He will be. I'm his sister."
"You're prepared to be there for him, whenever he needs you?"
Georgie hesitated. In truth, she hadn't thought of anything beyond the initial introductions.
"I thought that might be the case." He pushed the envelope toward her. "Take the money. Walk away. I'll explain to Joe."
Georgie looked at the envelope.
"No."
Graham frowned. He had been so certain that she would take the opportunity to run, but no. He had forgotten. She was a Tate.
"I mean, thanks very much. But, I'll stick with the family."
Georgie turned to leave through the kitchen door, but Graham stopped her.
"Take the money and get out." He growled at her.
"Touch me again, I will scream."
Graham's mouth curved into a frightening smile.
"One chance." He warned.
Georgie pulled against his grip, but he was too strong.
"Alright. I'll go."
"Good." He released her. "You walk out of this house and you never contact Joe again. Do you understand?"
Georgie nodded.
"I feel sorry for Joe. Living with a psycho like you."
She picked up the envelope and he opened the door for her as she glanced around.
"Whatever happens, I'm still his sister." Georgie told him coldly.
"Only by relation. Not by name." Graham warned her, "you take the money and you never speak of this to anyone."
Georgie smirked.
"You really think you're the big man, don't you?" She sneered and Graham was reminded of Kim. "Thanks for the cash. I'll do my best to keep my mouth shut."
"You'd better."
Georgie kept the smirk on her face as she made her way across the courtyard and out of sight.
…
2005
Joseph watched, confused, as Effie led him towards the blonde woman. Jean was squirming in Effie's arms.
"You made it," said the woman triumphantly. "Hello, Joseph." She nodded at him. "Jean." She reached out to touch Jean's face.
"I can't believe I'm doing this," whispered Effie. She still sounded sick. "Zoe trusts me."
"You'll get paid." The woman rolled her eyes. Sadie, her name suddenly came back to Joe.
"When?"
"When it's over." Sadie looked at Joseph. "Right, you're coming with me, young man."
Joseph frowned, confused. "I thought we were going on holiday." He looked at Effie.
"We are," she assured him. "I just have to pop back to Home Farm with Jean. Sadie's going to take you to meet Zoe."
"Zoe?" Joseph's eyes widened.
"That's right." Sadie leaned down so she was at eye level with Joseph. "You're all going away together. Zoe wanted it to be a surprise. She asked me to help. I'm her friend, after all."
"What about Jean?" Joe looked at his cousin.
"I forgot her passport," Effie explained. "I have to go back to Home Farm to get it."
"Can't Jean stay with us?"
"Jean needs to stay with her nanny," Sadie interjected. "She's only tiny, after all. But you're a big boy, aren't you? You're fine coming with me." Joe nodded.
"I'll see you in a little while, Joe." Effie appeared to be fighting back tears. "You go with Sadie."
Joseph nodded. This all felt a bit strange, but Effie was Jean's nanny, and Sadie was Auntie Zoe's friend. He felt a surge of joy at the idea of the three of them going away together.
"Bye, Jean Bean." He stroked his cousin's cheek.
"Bye, Joseph." Effie turned away, holding Jean. Sadie took Joseph's hand and led him in the opposite direction.
…
2018
"Can I help you, sir?" The butler opened the door to see a sharply suited young man standing on the step.
"I'm here to see Lady Sinclair? Sadie?"
"Do you have an appointment, sir?" The butler persisted, displaying traits that Joe recognised from Graham.
"No, but I'd like to see her, anyway. Tell her I'm here." He nodded, with a charming but impertinent smile.
"And whom shall I say...?"
"Introductions won't be necessary." Joe assured him, peering behind the older man at the extravagant fixtures beyond.
"Who is it?" Sadie appeared in a swirl of fuchsia chiffon, stopping beside her butler. "If you're here to see my husband, I'm afraid you're too early."
"I'm not. Sadie." Joe made his move.
"I'm sorry, do I..."
"Well, you haven't seen me in over ten years. A lot can change." Joe stepped forward, hands in his pockets.
Sadie froze, the penny dropping as Joe's mouth curved into a smirk, his blue eyes sparkling.
"Oh my God. You're..." She trailed off, attempting to save face, "show him into the drawing room, will you?"
The butler did as instructed, escorting Joe into the bright and airy room with its flamboyant decoration that hinted at Sadie's expensive taste.
"Very nice." Joe turned around slowly, Sadie folding her arms as she moved away from the closed door.
"What is it you want?"
"Do you even know who I am?" Joe taunted, "Joseph Tate."
Sadie scoffed.
"I should have known. What did she tell you?"
"Oh, are you referring to your daughter? The one you dumped after having a one night stand with my dad?"
Sadie lifted her chin haughtily.
"Georgie came to see me." Joe explained, "she told me how you abandoned her, gave her away. Left her in care instead of being a mother."
"I wasn't ready." Sadie sniffed.
"To take responsibility?"
"Neither was your dad." She sat down, grandly, with an air of forced gentility. "Quick enough to betray his wife and jump into bed with me. Not so forthcoming when it came to facing the consequences."
"He knew?"
"No. I never got that far. He made it clear that he wanted to settle down with that frilly little airhead of his and be the good husband."
"That's my godmother you're talking about. My dad loved Kathy."
"Enough to sleep with me and pay me off."
"He paid you? Did Georgie know that?"
"Oh, I'm sorry to shatter your illusions of your perfect father, Joseph."
She pouted in a very Kim-like manner, raising Joe's temper and he turned away, facing the window.
"I'm more concerned that you let Georgie down. Let her believe that she didn't matter."
"Well, does she?"
"Of course she does. I've seen her birth certificate, and the DNA results." He paused, "she's one of us."
"It's very sweet of you to say."
"I want to see her." Joe turned his head to face Sadie, sentiment in his eyes.
"See her? Well, she's not here, if that's what you're thinking?"
"Where is she then?"
"How would I know?"
"You're just like I remember you." Joe shook his head. "The last time we met you basically kidnapped me."
"Oh please. Little baby Jean was the leverage I needed. You were just there."
"I just want to know where my sister is."
"I couldn't tell you."
They were interrupted by the arrival of Alistair Sinclair, who swept in and grasped Sadie's shoulder supportively.
"What do you mean by barging in here?" He demanded furiously, "who are you?"
"Alistair, please." Sadie looked up at him, "please, darling."
"I'm Joseph Tate. Your wife and my Aunt once did some business together."
"Tate." Alistair stopped, "I know that name. Haulage, am I right?"
"Yes. My grandfather founded the company."
"Indeed. Well, without seeming rude, what are you doing in my house?"
"I came to see your wife to discuss a former mutual acquaintance." Joe responded smoothly.
"I see. Do you know anything about this, darling?" Alistair asked his wife.
"I do. It was unfortunate, however I'm afraid I have no forwarding address for her."
"Well, thank you." Joe accepted his cue to leave, realising it was futile to remain. "Lady Sinclair. My Lord." He offered a nod of the head before leaving, a sinking feeling in his stomach.
…
"You're doing the right thing, you know," said Graham, while Joe waited for Jean to finish packing. His suitcase was already packed and in the hall.
"What on earth is she bringing with her?" said Joe, pacing up and down in the kitchen. "We're only going for a few days."
"She's a teenage girl."
"Well, you're the expert on those," Joe muttered. Graham ignored the dig.
"I think it's a good idea, taking her away. It'll give you both a chance to recover from recent events."
Joe stopped pacing and looked at him, finally. "I know you paid off Georgie."
"Ahh."
"How much was I worth? Just out of interest."
"I was protecting you," Graham explained calmly. "She and her mother would have been nothing but trouble."
"It wasn't your decision to make," Joe snapped. "I'm her brother. And don't pretend you did it for me," he added as Graham went to speak. "You were just protecting Waterhouse International."
"That's true," Graham said slowly. "But I also didn't want you to get hurt."
"By getting to know my family?"
"By being scammed by a gold-digger."
"You didn't mind me getting to know Noah," Joe pointed out. "You didn't pay him off."
"Noah's just a child. Georgie is a manipulative young woman, and her mother is dangerous."
"And Charity isn't?" Joe scoffed.
Graham sighed. "Whatever you think, I do always have your best interests at heart."
Before Joe could respond, Jean came down the stairs, dragging a pink suitcase.
"About time," said Joe. "Trouble finding your hair straighteners?"
"My hair's straight," she pointed out. "And you spend longer on your hair than I do."
"Time to go." Joe pushed past her, without saying anything else to Graham.
"Is he okay?" Jean asked him.
"He'll be fine." Graham forced a smile. "Have a good trip."