Page 163 of Serenity Falls

‘I’m sorry, Ellen,’ Freya said from behind me. ‘Well, actually, I’m not. You did almost blind me, after all.’

The kettle whined.

‘But here’s the thing. You’re a nasty, old, vindictive woman, Ellen. No one likes you.’

I tried to swallow, but couldn’t. Steam rose from the kettle and the switch clicked off.

‘You’re just not Conservator material.’

I summoned the last bit of control I had, spun around and threw the kettle at Freya. It hit her square in the face. Boiling water cascaded over her head. She screamed and threw up her hands, staggering backwards. I felt a momentary glimmer of satisfaction. And then my legs gave. I grabbed for the table, bringing crockery crashing down around me. As I fell back, my head whacked the worktop. I crumpled to the floor.

Freya continued to scream and wail. I smiled, lying there on the linoleum, surrounded by shattered crockery, legs twisted beneath me. I may be dying, but at least Freya would be left with a permanent memory of our final encounter.

I felt something dark and sticky beneath my right hand. Blood. I’d cut myself. It gave me an idea. It took all my effort to move my finger very slightly. But I forced it across the floor, scrawling: F G

I managed two more letters before my hand became a lump of dead meat: L H

I knew they’d clean the floor, of course. But blood lingers. It works its way into the fabric of a place. Tricky to remove entirely. A good home-maker knows. Traces of the living, of those who came before us, will always remain.

Maybe someone, someday, would decipher my message. And know my story.

48

‘Okay, let’s go. We’re out of here.’

I chuck my car keys on the table in the hall and stare around. I’d expected Sadie to be ready, cases packed, impatient to leave. But the hall is empty. The house feels quiet.

‘Sadie!’ I shout.

No reply. Maybe she’s in the shower or she’s got her headphones on. I jog up the stairs and bang on the door to her room. ‘Sadie?’

Silence. I take my life in my hands – anyone who has a teenager knows the consequences of opening the bedroom door uninvited – but I have a feeling. Not a good one. I poke my head into her room.

‘Sadie. Are you in here?’

The room is empty; her case packed on the bed alongside Zelda’s box. I cross the room and check the en suite. Also empty.

I try to quell the rising panic, but I’m still rattled from my encounter with Jerry. Screw the house, the job – all of it. My only priority is keeping Sadie safe. So, where the hell is she?

I have a sudden, terrible, gut-wrenching thought. The swimming pool. I run down the stairs, taking them two at a time, almost breaking my neck as I skid on the polished tiles at the bottom.

I scurry into the living area, yank open the sliding doors and stride out into the yard. The pool glints invitingly in the sunshine. It’s empty. Relief floods my body. I can’t see anyone in the yard either. I return to the house and check every single room upstairs and down. No Sadie.

Fuck. Where the hell has she gone? I walk to the front door and open it, peering up and down the street. Silent, empty. Again. I get out my phone and pull up Sadie’s number.

‘C’mon, answer.’

It rings and rings. Then it goes to voicemail.

‘Sadie. It’s Dad. Where are you? Call me, please?’

I pocket the phone. My eyes fall on the house opposite.

She wouldn’t. But then, she might. It’s worth a try. I hurry over the road. Home and Spry. I hate twee fucking house names. I shove the gate open and jog up the pathway. My mind is telling me that this is ridiculous. Clutching at straws. Why would she come over here? The house will be locked up and … I try the door. It’s unlocked.

I push it open and walk into the hall. It’s large and empty, save for a chair and a small table with an old-fashioned analogue phone on it. A telephone table. Now that’s a throwback. I advance cautiously. There are doors to my right and left. I check the living room, some kind of workroom, kitchen. All empty. I walk back out into the hall. My heart launches itself into my mouth.

Arnie stands in front of me. Big furry suit, long snout, toothy grin.