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EPISODE SIX: As Strong As Your Weakest Link

CHAPTER ONE

Emma hung up her outfits in Laurel's wardrobe – her wardrobe now, she corrected herself. It was a slightly depressing sight. She hadn't brought many clothes with her and had only managed to add a few items since. It filled less than a quarter of the space available and she didn't really feel in a position to ask Kristin for more.

Her reverie was interrupted by the appearance of Sutton in the doorway. To Emma's astonishment, her twin was holding a large selection of clothes in her arms. She dumped them down on the bed. "Here."

Emma looked at the outfits in astonishment. They weren't the type that you'd normally put out for a charity collection. Emma recognised several items that had been among her favourites, and Sutton's too for that matter. "What are these?"

Sutton shrugged. "Well, we've been sharing clothes for so long, I figure these are as much yours as mine. Fill up a bit of that empty space there."

Emma grabbed her sister in a hug which Sutton returned awkwardly. "Thank you so much."

"Hey, no problem. Just call it a welcome home present."

Emma released her and looked her in the eye. "I'm really glad you're my sister,"she said with a smile before turning to gather up the clothes. Sutton watched Emma happily adding the outfits to her wardrobe for a few moments before slipping out of the room.

"That was a very kind thing you just did,"remarked Kristin, who was pouring herself a cup of coffee at the bar.

Sutton shrugged as she went over. "No biggie. I kept all the good stuff."

"You really like having her around, don't you?"

Sutton was used to evading questions like that. But recent events had taught her that people actually liked it when she spoke from the heart. "It might sound weird, given how long I've been here and how things are at the moment, but…I guess she's taught me what it means to be a family. She hasn't had that before and I see how she appreciates it so maybe that makes me appreciate it."

Kristin nodded. "I'm sorry that we didn't manage to show you what a family was about sooner. I always tried my best to treat you and Laurel equally. Tried too hard, I suppose. I was so busy overcompensating and second guessing that I suppose it came across as false. I never let you know how much you really meant to me, deep down."

Sutton smiled awkwardly. "I think I know now."

Rebecca was pacing back and forth in the front room, seeming very focused. Thayer sat on the steps, watching her. She turned to him suddenly, an idea forming. "An inside man. That's what we need. Someone that the Mercers trust, that they'll confide in."

It took Thayer a moment to realise she was looking hard at him. "Hey, look, I might be friends with them but I'm not sure they trust me anymore. Not after I spoke in your defence at the trial."

"Maybe so but they trust you more than they trust me. It shouldn't be too hard to get onside with them."

"If I thought I could talk Emma round, do you think I'd be helping you?"

Rebecca gave him a smile that managed to be sweet and insincere at the same time. "And I thought you were helping me so you don't end up on a murder charge. You're right though. Emma's too independently minded for her own good. That's why I've been reluctant to involve her for so long. And Sutton's never liked you that much so I don't think she'll be too open."

Thayer felt a twinge at resentment at the casual way she disparaged him. He wasn't even sure if she was aware she was doing it. It was obvious that Rebecca only saw him as a tool, viewing him in terms of what he could do for her rather than seeing him as a person.

Rebecca suddenly stopped and turned to face him, a smile on her face. "Have you ever heard the saying that you're only as strong as your weakest link?"

"Yeah, what of it?"

"I think we need to find the Mercers' weakest link."

Emma found herself rooted to her seat, unable to get out of the car. Even though those few steps were a route that she'd walked many times before, doing them again, in these very new circumstances, filled her with dread.

Ethan had opened up the door at her side and was leaning against the car, looking down at her. "Come on, Emma, you've been to school before."

"Yes, but not with my twin right next to me." Emma nodded to Sutton, who was sat in the driver's seat.

"Hey, you're not the only one who's going to get the third degree,"Sutton reminded her.

"Laurel and I are both going to be there to support you,"Ethan told them reassuringly. He glanced towards the back seat. "Right?"

"Right!"agreed Laurel who was also still sitting in the car.

Emma sighed, offered Ethan her hand and let him pull her out of the vehicle. "Okay, let's get it over with."

Emma and Sutton walked into the school side by side, Ethan next to Emma and Laurel next to Sutton. Everyone they passed looked at them, some of them without even bothering to hide it, the others shooting them quick glances while pretending to still be chatting to their friends.

Jordan and Mads came over to them. "You realise that about 90% of the guys in this hall, and about 10% of the girls, are wondering what it'd be like to have sex with you both?"Jordan asked them.

Sutton gave him an insincere smile. "Thanks, Jordan. That's just what we needed to hear right now."

"Just thought it was a good way to break the ice."

"We're all with you,"Mads interjected.

Ethan glanced behind the pair. "Er, guys?"

Mr Beattie approached them. He looked at the twins for a long moment. "Which of you is Emma?"he asked at last.

Emma nervously raised a hand. "That would be me."

"Mrs Mercer has sent us your details and we have your report from your last school. But there's a few things we need to clear up about your attendance here."He gestured to a classroom. "In here, please."

Emma awkwardly went as indicated. The rest of the group began to edge away, hoping to escape the teacher's attention.

"You too, Sutton,"Mr Beattie added.

Sutton sighed and followed Emma inside.