Page 27 of Serenity Falls

‘Yes,’ Lockhart sighs. ‘They’re a nice family. I’ll be sure to pass on your condolences.’

‘Thank you.’

I sense movement behind me, and Sadie emerges in the doorway.

Lockhart’s smile re-ignites. ‘And this must be your daughter, Sadie. How are you doing, young lady?’

‘I’m good,’ she says.

Lockhart nods, still studying her. ‘Gumption. I like that.’ He half turns. ‘This is my daughter, Ellis. She also attends Serenity High, in eleventh grade. She’s the class representative, so if you have any problems, you can talk to her.’

The two girls eye each other suspiciously. If they were cats, hackles would be up, tales twitching.

Ellis makes the first move. ‘Nice to meet you.’ She offers a formal hand.

Sadie shakes it hesitantly. ‘Yeah, you too.’

‘I thought that while we take the boring adult tour of Serenity and talk school stuff, maybe Ellis could entertain Sadie with some of the more fun sights.’ Lockhart looks at Ellis expectantly.

‘We-ell,’ she says. ‘We could go to the diner, the skate park. Or the fairground? It’s kind of twee but, y’know, there’s some cool shi—’ She catches herself. ‘Cool stuff there.’

Sadie considers. ‘Does Serenity have a cemetery?’

‘Err, yeah.’

‘Can we go there?’

Ellis glances at her dad; a look that I recognize – help me. I step in. ‘Sadie’s just joking. The fairground sounds fun. Right, Sadie?’ I raise my eyebrows pleadingly.

‘Yeah. Great,’ she says.

Ellis smiles. It looks like it takes an effort. ‘Let’s go, then.’

‘Have fun, girls.’ Lockhart waves.

Sadie gives me a look – you owe me – and I watch them walk off, trying not to worry. Girls. They’re tricky at this age.

‘They’ll be fine,’ Lockhart says, as if reading my mind.

‘Yeah. But kids, y’know?’ I try to lighten my tone. ‘Can’t live with them. Can’t send them up chimneys any more.’

He stares at me blankly.

‘A little British humour,’ I sputter.

‘Ah, of course. And I’m looking forward to hearing more of it.’ He chuckles jovially. His teeth are small and round. Like tiny pebbles.

‘So, shall we? I thought we could take a stroll downtown, through the park by the lake, stop by the school and then meet up with the girls for a late lunch.’

‘Sounds good.’

‘If you’re not sick of us by then.’ He laughs again.

I join in, thinking: Or if Sadie and Ellis haven’t killed each other by then.

‘Okay.’ I pat my pockets for my house keys and then remember I don’t need keys. I have the Serenity bracelet. It feels odd. And not just locking up with the bracelet. Locking up this house, this mansion, feels odd. It’s yours now. You own it. And I’m not sure if that makes me happy or uneasy.

‘Ready for Serenity, then?’ Lockhart asks, and I nod.