Tea Leafing: A Novel (36 page)

“You guys didn’t have
to get me anything! What’re you thinkin’?”

“Well, there is a
catch. You’ll have to keep it quiet.”

Amanda tilted her head.
“Okay, but I’m not sure I understand.”

Sam handed her the
envelope. She spoke while Amanda peeled open the flap and peered inside.

 
“This was Fedya’s true love. It was the
tax he owed for what he did.” Sam cleared her throat, fighting back the lump
that was developing. “Lena’s life was worth so much more than this, but it’s
better than nothing.”

Amanda’s mouth dropped
open, “but . . .”

Birdie chimed in, “We
did it Amanda. We facked that greedy old bastad — straight up the arse.”

Grace cringed, “Birdie,
please! We’re trying to have a moment here. No more talk about ass fucking.”

Amanda was still frozen
in place.

Sam continued, “We took
what was his and divided it evenly. This is your share.”

 
“I can’t possibly . . . I . . . you four
. . . Please, I didn’t do anything. I can’t accept this.” Amanda stammered.

“There is a fifth that
you’ll meet. Her name is Tanya. She was another friend of your sister’s. She’s
making a speedy recovery from recent surgery, so she couldn’t make it today. But
she’s anxious to meet you, sweetheart.”

“The numbers above the
amount are for a bank account in Singapore. The account is in your name, so you
can access it anytime you want. You can have a beautiful life and do an
enormous amount of good with this nest egg.” Mary Jane winked and pulled Amanda
into a hug.

“But . .
. ,
” Amanda started to protest again.

“We ain’t poor eitha’
luv.
Remembah, we ‘ave our cuts too.
Don’t worry about
us. We ‘ave to live business as usual so we don’t raise any suspicions. As do
you. It’s nice to ‘ave somethin’ tucked away
fo
’ a
rainy day though.”

Mary Jane poured three
glasses of wine and two sparkling ciders, one each for Sam and Amanda. Birdie,
Grace, Mary Jane, Amanda, and Sam all raised their glasses in a toast.

“To
you four, for never giving up.”
Amanda smiled.

“To friendship,” said
Mary Jane.

“To love,” added Grace.

“To ’ell with it all!”
shouted Birdie.

“To Lena,” said Sam.