Shattered Perfection

twelve

Autumn opened the door to Reece and Marjorie, 'Winter is in the kitchen if you want to join him.' She said softly. Her black cat wound his way round her legs looking for attention, she bent down and scooped him up before following them through. They settled with their drinks before Marjorie took a deep breath.

'The reason I wanted to get together is to talk about Siobhan,' she said carefully, looking at the reaction from Autumn and Reece. 'You know what your father is capable of and you agree that he is probably causing her harm, so what should we do about it?' She looked at them all.

Reece stood up uncomfortably rubbing the back of his neck to release some of the tension which had gathered there. 'We tried to warn her when she started dating him, but he is so manipulative. Look at what he did with Mia.'

'Speak of the devil and she shall appear,' a voice drawled from the doorway. Mia stood, hand on hip, with Charlotte peering over her shoulder. Autumn rolled her eyes.

'Let yourselves in, why don't you,' she said waspishly.

'We did,' smirked Mia. Charlotte looked apologetic.

'Sorry Autumn, I told her it was rude.' She replied. They came in and were handed drinks by Winter. They all sat in the living room, the atmosphere was uncomfortable.

Finally, Marjorie spoke, 'he's marrying her for goodness sake, why did she say yes?'

Autumn took a sip of her wine before replying, 'She probably didn't get asked, just told.' She scratched Caddie behind his ears, letting his purring distract her from her memories.

The thought of how helpless Siobhan was and what she was putting up with was sickening.

Charlotte put her hand on Mia's leg before saying, 'We need to give her the option of escape, to keep her safe. At the moment she has no one.' She knew what Roger had done to Mia over the years to keep her in line especially as a teenager and she was desperately sad to think another woman was going through something similar if not worse. At least Mia could leave his side when she was with Reece.

'She did have Vivian, but they've fallen out,' replied Marjorie, 'I think it was the engagement which caused it.'

'You think?' Mia replied viciously rolling her eyes, 'from what I've seen and been told by Char, Viv and Siobhan were close.' They were interrupted by another knock on the door. Winter looked confused, 'Who else is coming?' he asked. On the doorstep stood a distinctly uncomfortable looking Vivian.

'Oh yes,' said Mia smirking, 'I invited her.'

Reece rolled his eyes, 'and you didn't think to mention it?'

'Come in Vivian,' Autumn said motioning through to the living room. Vivian took a seat and looked around at the assembled group.

'I'm not entirely sure why I am here but if it will help Siobhan then I am in.' She said.

Mia leaned over, 'What is the exact nature of your relationship?' she asked smirking. Charlotte smacked her on the arm, 'Amelia May Roberts! Behave yourself!' Mia shrugged.

Vivian narrowed her eyes at her. 'She's my friend,' she said forcefully, 'I want to stop that man from hurting her anymore.'

Autumn watched the interaction, 'My Father loves power, at the moment he feels invincible. But Reece and I have been discussing taking the nurseries from him.' Marjorie looked surprised. She turned to Reece, 'Really? Why didn't you say something?'

Reece looked guilty, 'I didn't want to say anything until we had a plan. The majority of his wealth comes from more unethical and illegal means. The nurseries just help launder the money. We have been collecting proof of these dealings to take to the police.'

Autumn interjected, 'some of the police are in his pocket, there is even a judge who he plays golf with so we have be careful. If we make a move too early we will lose everything.'

Vivian shifted in her seat, 'but what of Siobhan, is she involved in the illegal side of things?' Autumn shook her head, 'No, but Janice on the other hand...'

Marjorie groaned, 'Ugh Janice, that woman is horrible.'

'Great hair though,' replied Mia.

Autumn placed her now empty wine glass on the table. 'Getting back to the plan, I know you and Siobhan have fallen out Vivian,' Autumn looked at a now blushing Vivian. 'But we need you to re-establish the meetings, we need to get into the safe in the house and Siobhan can help us do that. We can also get her to safety before they get married.'

Vivian nodded, willing to try and help Siobhan escape her situation. 'Siobhan believes she deserves what she gets,' she explained, 'she's never had friends or a support system. Can she rely on you all to help her?'

Charlotte had been treated quite badly by Siobhan, they all had, but she felt sorry for her. The ice queen persona covered someone who was desperately lonely. Charlotte had noticed that she seemed to be fading away before their eyes. As dangerous as this situation was, she wasn't prepared to let Siobhan suffer. 'We will help in any way we can,' she reassured Vivian.

They discussed the plan into the night deciding that moving sooner rather than later would be better despite the risks.