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Sunshine glinted off the metallic suitcase rim, reminding her it must be getting close to midday. She had a mammogram appointment at two o’clock and afterwards she needed to pick the children up from school.
“You’ve missed breakfast, so why don’t we grab a coffee and a sandwich then I’ll drive you home?” she suggested.
“Where is home?” Penny asked.
“Your flat, remember, in Southwood Road? You bought it with your share of our parents’ estate.”
“No. I told you nothing here makes sense. Forget the sandwich, let’s go and see this place where I supposedly live,” Penny answered belligerently.
Allie nodded, defeated. She’d run out of platitudes.
Chapter Three
It was all Penny coulddo to keep it together around her sister. Her world had transformed into some kind of living nightmare, and Allie, the one person she’d always relied upon to be on her side, didn’t believe her, and that cut deep.
At least the red brick house was Victorian, and possessed some character. Flat four was located up on the first floor. It consisted of a square living room that overlooked the front of the house, and two bedrooms that overlooked the back garden. It had a small neat kitchen and a walk-in shower room. Furnished with good solid but outdated furniture that Penny guessed came from second-hand shops, the flat appeared homey with small touches Penny recognised as the kind of additions she might make here herself. Soft, warm-toned cushions scattered along a tired-looking couch picked out similar colours in the heavy curtains. An original drawing of a London park in soft ochre pastels hung on the wall above. Penny could tell someone had made the best of the space, but this apartment wasn’t hers.
“I’ll put the suitcase in your room,” Allie said.
“Okay.” There was nothing left to say. She just wanted her sister gone so she could sleep off this nightmare until it was over, and David came to fetch her. After some awkward false starts in conversation, Allie finally left with promises to call later.
She shoved her case into the corner of the bedroom, stripped off her clothes, and climbed into bed. Awaking some hours later, she went to use the bathroom. Noting it was dark, Penny dove back into bed.
Next time she woke it was light. Disappointed to find herself still in the same small apartment bedroom, she checked her phone for messages. There were two from Allie, but still no word from her daddy.
Padding through to the kitchen, she filled a glass of water and hunted through the cupboards looking for something to eat. She found a couple of unopened packets of chocolate chip cookies. Eating five, she wandered back to bed and scrolled through her phone, still nothing. What the fuck was David playing at? She’d been in this mess for two whole days now, and still no call from her husband.
“Where the hell are you!” she cried into the silence. A dog barked somewhere outside. She’d never felt so alone.
Pulling the duvet over her head, she curled onto her side.Daddy, Daddy, Daddy...tears came unbidden, the pain of loss too harsh to bear.Sleep, I need to sleep, when I wake my daddy will be here.
Sunlight blinded her when next her eyes opened. Checking the phone beside her on the bed, Penny saw it was out of charge. She leapt up and rummaged through her case; she found her phone charger and plugged it in. What if David had tried to call her?Stupid, stupid woman!
Eating yet more cookies, she made herself a mug of Earl Grey tea then ran to check her phone for messages; nothing from David. More messages from Allie.
Quickly she texted her sister stating that she was fine in order to keep her happy. Collecting her tea, she moved into the small living room and sat on the couch. Three days now and still she was here. Sipping her tea, she flicked on the TV, letting the news roll over her. The world seemed to be as fucked up as ever.
