Page 10 of Serenity Falls

It would be so easy for someone with malicious intent to find a spare key under a flowerpot and let themselves into an empty home. And once inside, well, everyone has things they’d rather keep hidden. Like those disgusting sex outfits, or their teenager’s dope stash, or the empty vodka bottles buried in the trash.

Secrets. Lies. Hidden, dirty things that people would do anything to stop creeping out into the light. Fortunately for them, I’ve always been the model of discretion, although it never hurts to have a little leverage. A little something stored in the pantry to bring out when necessary.

Sadly, that was my mistake. I stored something a little too big. And then I served it up to the wrong person.

Of course, I swore that I would never gossip. Their secret was safe with me.

But it was too late by then. My cake was already baked, you might say.

Still, a home-maker has her tricks.

And blood is such a tricky substance to remove completely.

3

‘Wow!’

And even that doesn’t cover it. The pictures of 22 Acacia Avenue were impressive enough, but they still didn’t convey the sheer grandeur of the place.

It looks more like a palace or some kind of embassy. I half expect to see flags protruding from the roof. The white walls of the property gleam so hard in the sunlight I have to raise a hand to shield my eyes even with sunglasses on.

‘Such a pretty home, don’t you think?’ Frances Mayfield smiles, artfully understating. ‘And Acacia Avenue is one of our most desirable streets. Although some might say that there aren’t any undesirable streets here in Serenity Falls.’

She laughs. A light, tinkling thing that sits somewhat incongruously with the bulk of the woman. That’s not to say that Frances is overweight. She’s just large. Tall, almost my height, and formidably purposed. Her shoulders are broad; her legs are sturdy atop a pair of wedge-heeled sandals. Even her hair – a perfectly coiffed bob – looks hard enough to deter missiles.

‘It’s, erm, substantial,’ I say.

Sadie stares upwards, uncharacteristically quiet. I suppose it is a lot to take in.

‘So,’ Frances continues, ‘shall I give you the grand tour?’

‘Probably for the best, just to make sure we don’t get lost.’

Frances strides forward. I scurry a little to catch up. At the front door, she pauses and points to a small black box on the wall.

‘Doorbell and security camera, so you can see everyone coming and going.’

‘Okay,’ I say.

‘We pride ourselves on all our homes having the most up-to-date security,’ Frances says. ‘There is also a camera at the rear of the property. All very unobtrusive, of course. And you can connect them to your phone.’

‘I thought Serenity Falls prided itself on being crime-free,’ Sadie says.

Frances shoots her a look, the sunny disposition momentarily dulling. ‘And that’s one of the reasons why,’ she says smartly. ‘That and the fact we are very discerning about who we permit to live here.’

I don’t miss the implication. Sadie and I are here by default. We have, in a way, slipped in via the back door. Not chosen. Foisted upon Serenity Falls by my mother’s shrewd investment. And once again, I wonder how Mum engineered this.

‘So, let’s take a peek inside.’ Frances looks at me. I smile back. And then I realize. She’s waiting for me to unlock the door with my shiny new bracelet.

‘Oh,’ I say. ‘Almost forgot.’

I press the silver disc to the pad beneath the door handle. I hear a click as the lock releases.

‘You have a set of standard keys as well,’ Frances says. ‘Just for spares. Really, you shouldn’t need them.’

She pushes the door open, and we are immediately greeted by a welcome blast of ice-cold air. Both Sadie and I audibly groan with relief. Frances smiles again.

‘Yes, you really feel the benefits of the aircon.’