Page 119 of Secret Paths

“Apparently.”

“She was caught short.”

The second the words leave my mouth, I know I have made it worse.

Alexandra’s eyes sharpen. “Caught short?”

“With luggage,” I add quickly. “Her luggage. It went missing.”

“Where?”

I look at her.

She looks at me.

“In transit,” I say.

“In transit from where?”

“To Morton Hall.”

“That's not an answer to my question.”

“No.”

“She arrived at Morton Hall with no luggage and immediately required sanitary towels, ibuprofen, black knickers and enough sugar for a school disco?”

I glance down at the basket. “Essentially.”

Lexi stares at me.

Then, very slowly, she smiles.

Not kindly.

Not cruelly either.

Worse.

Like my sister.

“You are lying.”

“I am not.”

“You are lying so badly I am embarrassed for both of us.”

“That feels unnecessary.”

“Do I know her?”

“No.”

Too fast.

I have learned nothing.

Alexandra’s smile fades into suspicion. “I do know her.”