Sea Glass (WAYHAUGHT)

Speaking of Which

"Can I help you?" Shae said, her smile suggesting complete ignorance of the situation.

"Where's Nic?"

It took little more than a few seconds for her to comprehend. "Honey, Waverly's outside."

Nicole appeared from the lounge. "Shae, don't be a bitch, let her in."

Shae moved to one side. Waverly hesitated, her brain telling her to get the hell away, her heart telling her this was the moment to fight for what she wanted, no matter how scary.

"I'm sorry," was all Nicole said, as she entered the lounge.

"So, I was right after all," Shae said. "Although, I'm surprised it was you."

Nicole remained silent.

"I expected it of you Nic. But you." Shae turned to face Waverly. "Couldn't even wait till I'd collected my things."

"That's enough," Nicole snapped.

"I'm just warming up," Shae purred.

"Take what you've come for, and leave."

"I'm afraid you won't get rid of me that easily. This place is half mine remember."

Nicole was now staring at Waverly. "Perhaps you should go."

"I'm not leaving you here."

"House trained already," Shae observed. "She'll learn."

"Shae, if you've come back to mess things up it won't work."

"She's too young for you," Shae continued. "I'm surprised you went for someone so plain. Not your style."

"Stop being a bitch," Nicole barked, the anger in her voice making Waverly jump. "It solves nothing."

"It solves one thing," Waverly said, her own voice wobbling. "Nicole's better off without you."

"She speaks again. I was going to play nice, but you've forced my hand."

"You would destroy the business we've worked hard to create."

"Why do that?" Waverly interrupted. "When you know how much this means to Nicole."

"This place will never be successful," Shae said, waving her hand through the air. "I'm actually doing her a favour. This way, she can let go of here, move on to somewhere better."

"Not going to happen," Nicole said. "I'll get you your half."

Waverly knew Nicole was lying about the money. On this occasion, lying to Shae was infinitely better than admitting the truth to that bitch.

"You and I both knew you were never going to make it in a place like this. But no, you had to take Abi's advice over mine. And, I had to waste three years in this dismal place."

"We were unlucky with the pandemic, that's all. Things will change, they'll improve."

"Can't you hear yourself," Shae replied. "It's all tomorrow...tomorrow...tomorrow." She laughed, as though she'd suddenly got the end of a joke. "This isn't Annie, Nic." Shae's singing had Waverly cringing. "The sun will come out tomorrow. Bet your bottom dollar that-"

"That's enough," Nicole yelled. "Take your things, and go."

"As much as I would like to, Sadie's driving down with the van. So it looks like I'm stuck here for a few days."

Waverly stared at Shae. "Being a bitch suits you."

"You really don't get it," she replied. "Do you honestly think my Nic will hang around once this place closes?"