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Sisters Page 24

by Michelle Frances


  As the sun created a kaleidoscope of colours on her closed lids, she wondered if she should come clean to Abby about Susanna, admitting their mother was alive. But however she tried to phrase it, it sounded like a betrayal. She’d kept it secret so long and had spoken to Susanna on several occasions. It was all such a mess and for the first time in ages she was feeling completely relaxed. She didn’t want to ruin the moment. She felt herself dozing and made a conscious effort to sit up and open her eyes. It wasn’t fair to sleep when Abby was driving all the time.

  She looked across at her sister and smiled. There was something uniquely bonding about them both being in the same clothes. It united them, made them a team. Except it wasn’t that, not really, Ellie knew.

  It was the last few days. What they had been through. She thought back to her mother’s warnings but couldn’t connect the Abby her mum was talking about with the one sitting here in the same blue dress as her own.

  ‘I’ve been thinking,’ she started tentatively, ‘when all this is over, maybe we could spend more time together?’

  Abby glanced across. ‘What, in a jail somewhere? Cellmates?’

  The smile slid off Ellie’s face. Trust Abby to ruin it. Or was she just avoiding answering the question?

  ‘You don’t seriously think that’s how this is going to end, do you?’

  ‘Might,’ said Abby. She looked back to the road. ‘We’re coming to a junction.’

  Ellie glanced down at the map. ‘You do realize we’re running out of road.’

  ‘Are we?’

  ‘Only a hundred or so miles and then we fall into the sea.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Well, would you look at that . . .’ exclaimed Ellie, as she stared at the map. ‘If you don’t go while alive, you must go after death.’

  ‘What are you talking about?’

  ‘That’s the saying,’ said Ellie. ‘At the Vixía Herbeira cliffs. Some of the tallest in Europe. If you don’t visit while you’re alive, then after your death you’ll be reincarnated as one of the animals that inhabit the area.’

  ‘We’d best go then,’ said Abby. ‘I do not have plans to return to this earth as a rabbit.’ She saw a sign up ahead: five kilometres to the next village. ‘First, shall we stop for a bit of lunch?’

  SEVENTY

  ‘OK,’ said Susanna. ‘I did it.’

  Kathleen slowly put her drink down. ‘What did you do?’ she asked.

  ‘I gave salt to Ben, paracetamol to Ellie. I made them ill.’

  ‘Why did you do that?’

  Susanna frowned. ‘Everything was crumbling. You’d disowned me. Danny was having an affair. I . . . needed to feel I had worth. I enjoyed making them better. Looking after them.’ She paused. ‘I was ill myself.’

  Kathleen nodded but said nothing. Seconds ticked by.

  Susanna grew agitated. ‘Well?’ she eventually burst out.

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘You’ve got your confession. Aren’t you going to say something?’

  Kathleen closed her eyes. ‘You want me to congratulate you?’

  ‘No . . . I . . .’ Susanna felt her grasp on the situation slipping.

  ‘Write you a cheque?’

  ‘What are you talking about?’

  ‘So I had a hand in the death of my grandson,’ said Kathleen. ‘At least that’s what you told me.’

  ‘Because it’s true!’

  Kathleen opened one eye. ‘Is it? Only, the correct thing to say would’ve been, “I did it but I don’t want your money.” Then I could have given it to you. But now’ – she shrugged – ‘I don’t even know if you made it all up just because of greed. After all, it’s not the first time you’ve sold your soul for money, is it? I’m disappointed,’ she said flatly.

  Susanna stared at her mother, steely-eyed. She barked out a laugh. ‘Disappointed,’ she repeated. ‘Well, guess what? It goes two ways. Except I’m not disappointed in you, I’m disgusted.’

  ‘You watch your mouth.’

  ‘I cannot believe you are using the death of my son as a bargaining chip. Actually, I think I knew all along what you’re capable of. I allowed myself to go along with this charade to prove to myself just how manipulative you are. Well, thank you, Mother, for showing me yet again that I should have nothing more to do with you.’

  Susanna got up from the table.

  ‘Sit back down. I haven’t finished,’ said Kathleen.

  ‘We’re done, Mother.’

  ‘We are not. So, are you lying to get the money or not?’

  Susanna looked back at her aged mother and knew it would be the last time she ever saw her.

  ‘You’ll never know,’ she said, and turned and walked away.

  SEVENTY-ONE

  Ellie and Abby had feasted hungrily on the tapas laid out before them at a small restaurant in a tiny village lost in the north-western Spanish countryside. It was quiet and there had only been a couple of locals still remaining – elderly people sitting out the front with a coffee, idly chatting away to each other, passing the time of day.

  Perhaps even better than the food had been the promise of a hot shower. Abby had seen a sign for rooms upstairs and she’d paid the owner for the use of one for a few hours. Ellie lay on clean sheets with washed hair, as her sister took a turn freshening up. She felt her eyes closing. The comfort of the room and her full stomach wove a calming magic that allowed her to pretend everything was OK for a moment.

  It was funny how life unexpectedly spun you around until you were going in a completely different direction . . . This trip could have all been so different. She could have still been in Elba, diving off the rocks into the Tyrrhenian Sea at the bottom of Abby’s garden. She might have met a handsome Italian man. Or maybe she would have met Fredrik a different way and they’d be in the south of France together – or perhaps she could have joined him on his Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. There was something quite peaceful about the idea of following a trail to free yourself of your troubles. Ellie wondered where he was, how he was getting on. She looked across at Abby’s bag on the floor; then, driven by curiosity, she got up. She could use the phone. He’d left a message once – maybe he would again?

  Ellie took Abby’s phone and dialled her own number. She had a message. The corners of her mouth lifted as she heard his voice again. He was now in Spain and wondered how she was doing. He was well into his pilgrimage and if there was any chance of it, he’d love to speak to her before he went back to Norway.

  Ellie’s heart gave a flutter of excitement. Should she call him back? There wasn’t any point really. They’d exchange a few words, then that would be it. He’d go home to Norway and their paths would never cross again. Except it would be nice to hear his voice. If only for a few minutes . . . The shower was still running. Soon Abby would be out and then any opportunity would be lost.

  Before she talked herself out of it, she called him. He answered after three rings.

  ‘Hello?’

  ‘Fredrik? It’s Ellie.’

  ‘Ellie! It’s so good to hear from you.’

  He sounded relieved to hear her voice. ‘I got your message,’ said Ellie. ‘How’s the pilgrimage?’

  ‘I’m taking a day off to rest the legs.’

  ‘Congratulations.’

  ‘Thanks.’ He paused. ‘How’s the road trip?’

  ‘OK. Good!’ enthused Ellie.

  ‘Where did you get to?’

  Did it matter if she spoke the truth? Ellie couldn’t see a reason not to. ‘Spain.’

  ‘Oh wow, you too. I thought you were avoiding me,’ said Fredrik teasingly. ‘You didn’t return my last message.’

  ‘Oh. It’s not that. Long story.’ The conversation hit a lull and Ellie felt the need to bridge the gap. ‘So you’re off to Norway soon?’

  ‘In a couple of days.’

  Back to normality, thought Ellie, feeling irrationally sad that he was leaving.

  ‘Hey, you don’t fancy hooking up before I go, do you?’


  Her stomach flipped. But of course she couldn’t. It was impossible.

  ‘Spain’s a big place,’ she said, as an excuse.

  ‘Depends,’ said Fredrik. ‘Where exactly are you?’

  ‘North-west,’ said Ellie.

  ‘Me too,’ said Fredrik. ‘Whereabouts?’

  She didn’t want to say. ‘Oh, I don’t know. A small village somewhere.’

  She could almost hear Fredrik’s mind turning over and felt bad about what would seem like a brush-off. She liked him, didn’t want him to think she wasn’t keen.

  ‘You are avoiding me,’ he said with a smile.

  ‘Honestly, it’s not that.’

  There was an awkward silence.

  ‘So, have you seen much on your travels?’ asked Fredrik.

  ‘Some beautiful scenery,’ said Ellie, relieved to change topic. ‘The Camargue was amazing. What was your highlight?’

  ‘Fixing my fifth puncture in a day.’

  Ellie laughed.

  ‘I’ve run out of patches. I’m at a hostel, waiting for one of the guys here to get back from the nearest village – he offered to get some more for me.’ He paused. ‘I’m kind of at a loose end.’

  ‘It’s difficult . . .’ said Ellie. ‘You’ll be miles away from me anyway.’

  ‘We don’t know unless we look at the map.’

  Ellie smiled, bit her lip. ‘OK, I’m in a village called Baleira.’

  ‘Baleira, Baleira,’ repeated Fredrik. ‘I’m just looking for it.’ He suddenly laughed out loud. ‘Are you serious? That’s so close to where I am! Come on, just for a short while?’

  ‘Honestly, I can’t. We’re kind of on the move.’

  ‘I can get in a taxi. Be with you in under an hour.’

  An hour. She could spare an hour or so, couldn’t she?

  ‘I’ve got pictures of Antibes . . .’

  Ellie smiled. It was funny how life was always unexpectedly spinning you around, she thought as she arranged to meet Fredrik in the bar downstairs in – she checked her watch – less than an hour.

  Fredrik hung up his mobile and placed it sombrely on the desk in the police station. Shrugged.

  ‘It’s all arranged?’ asked Santini.

  ‘I said I would, didn’t I?’ said Fredrik.

  Lieutenant Colonel Baroni saw Santini narrow his eyes and quickly jumped in. She smiled at Fredrik in what she hoped was a reassuring manner. ‘Excellent. I thought you handled that really well.’ She kept her excitement at bay; it was essential he didn’t back out of their agreement.

  ‘And you say she had nothing to do with the shooting? That man?’

  ‘It’s her sister we want. Obviously the news report didn’t specify where our suspicions lie – the press don’t know. I want to thank you again for getting in touch.’

  ‘Like I said, I recognized the photos. I was worried.’

  Baroni smiled at him again. ‘I’m glad you cared enough to call. We need to protect Ellie. And you’re the one who can lead us to her sister.’ She stood up. ‘The car’s ready.’

  She indicated the door and Fredrik followed her out of the office.

  ‘Remember,’ said Baroni as they walked down the corridor, Santini bringing up the rear, ‘there are going to be several vehicles watching. You’ll be miked and we’ll be able to hear everything. She may lead us to Abby straight away, but if not, I want you to keep her talking.’ She placed a hand on Fredrik’s shoulder. ‘She may well be scared of her. It’s a good thing you’re doing. Ellie’s the innocent one here.’

  She led Fredrik out of the building but faltered as she saw Matteo waiting, leaning against a wall. Quickly, she took Fredrik over to the unmarked car and opened the door for him, but not quickly enough. Matteo, spotting her, came running up, pushing aside Santini’s outstretched arm of obstruction.

  Baroni swore under her breath.

  ‘Going somewhere?’ asked Matteo.

  ‘Don’t interfere with my investigation,’ said Baroni in a low voice. She deliberately kept her tone pleasant; there was no need to alarm the witness.

  Matteo indicated Fredrik. ‘Who the hell is this?’

  ‘Never you mind,’ said Santini.

  Fredrik looked from Matteo to Santini, curious at the obvious tension between them. ‘Fredrik Andersen.’ He held out a hand.

  Baroni stepped between the two men and nodded towards the inside of the car. A driver was sitting in the front, waiting for them. ‘We need to get going,’ she said firmly and put her hand on Fredrik’s arm, guiding him into the vehicle. Then she got in next to him, Santini sitting up front. Before she could close the door, Matteo bent down, held it open.

  ‘Are you going to see Abby?’

  ‘Remove your hand, please,’ said Baroni.

  ‘That’s a yes, isn’t it? Where is she?’

  ‘Want me to do something, Boss?’ asked Santini, watching carefully.

  Baroni looked at Matteo and spoke calmly. ‘You need to remove your hand immediately or I’ll have you arrested for obstructing this investigation.’

  Furious, Matteo knew when he was beaten. He took his hand from the car and Baroni pulled the door shut. Within seconds they were away.

  SEVENTY-TWO

  Ellie lay on the bed, waiting for Abby to come out of the shower. She was alternately buffeted between a sense of liberation at meeting Fredrik and nerves at telling Abby. Wondering how best to phrase it.

  The bathroom door opened and her sister came in, towelling off her hair.

  ‘That felt so good,’ said Abby.

  Ellie nodded. Maybe she’d build her up to it slowly. Abby, I think we can afford to take a bit of a breather, don’t you? Just for a couple of hours?

  ‘What the hell is that?’

  Ellie looked up to see her sister stock-still, staring at her bed. Or rather the phone on her bed.

  Damn, she’d forgotten to put it away!

  ‘What’s going on?’ asked Abby.

  ‘I just spoke to Fredrik,’ said Ellie, smiling. ‘He left me a message and so I just called him back. You’re never going to believe this – he’s really close by! I’m going to meet him for a drink.’

  Abby’s jaw dropped. ‘You what?’

  ‘Oh, come on, Abby. It’ll only be for an hour or so. He’s going back to Norway, so chances are I’ll never see him again.’

  ‘Have you lost your mind?’

  Ellie bit her tongue. It was important she stayed calm. ‘No, Abby, I haven’t lost my mind.’

  Abby picked up the phone, held it out. ‘You need to call him right back. Tell him it’s not happening.’

  Her sister’s face was set firm, not just in her decision, but in a conviction that, as usual, Ellie would do what Abby wanted.

  Well, not this time.

  She sat up on the bed. ‘I’m not going to do that, Abby.’

  They were locked in a stalemate. Abby glanced down at the phone. Frowned.

  ‘There’s a voicemail,’ said Abby. ‘Did it ring while I was in the shower?’

  Ellie shook her head. She watched as her sister listened, then saw Abby’s face crumple.

  ‘What is it?’ asked Ellie.

  Abby didn’t answer; instead she urgently dialled a number, then swore and threw her phone on the bed in frustration.

  ‘What’s happened?’ asked Ellie.

  ‘That message was from Jamie.’ Abby could hardly contain her upset. ‘Jamie tried to call. While you were on the phone to Fredrik.’

  ‘Oh.’

  ‘And now he’s unavailable. He’s just got on a plane to Thailand and his phone is switched off.’

  ‘Thailand? What’s he going there for?’

  ‘It’s the summer holidays, Ellie! People are going away, having a nice, relaxed time. And now our only help is not contactable for thirteen whole hours.’

  Ellie bit her lip. ‘I’m sorry.’

  ‘For God’s sake!’

  ‘I’ve apologized.’

  ‘This is typical of
you,’ said Abby.

  ‘What?’

  ‘You were always allowed to do whatever you wanted, no matter how it affected anyone else.’

  ‘For goodness’ sake, Abby, I just want to meet up with a friend . . .’ – she paused; she hadn’t known him long enough and knew Abby would call her on it – ‘. . . ly man that I get on with.’

  ‘Fancy, more like.’

  ‘That too,’ said Ellie hotly. ‘What of it?’

  Abby cut her a furious look and Ellie waited for her sister to explode. She could see her wrestling with her anger, trying to stay in control, to be the grown-up one.

  ‘There was another one, you know,’ said Abby coolly.

  Ellie was thrown. ‘Another what?’

  ‘Thing I used to do. To wish you dead.’

  ‘There was more than one?’ said Ellie, aghast.

  ‘I’d fantasize about going into your room at night and putting the pillow on your head and then sitting on it.’

  ‘Well, thanks very much.’

  Abby just threw her a look of daggers and stalked out of the room.

  SEVENTY-THREE

  2008

  Abby was aware her eyes were bloodshot through lack of sleep and her hair was a mess as she’d run out of time to wash it after finishing off an urgent report for her boss, due at six o’clock that morning. It was one of the drawbacks of working for an international company where deadlines were set by time zones.

  She was late. It had been a hell of a day and she’d finally escaped the office with nineteen minutes to get to Westminster Pier – a journey that took twenty-five minutes. Now, seeing the pier ahead of her, she broke into a run, praying the boat wouldn’t go without her, and wondered if the others were already on board. She and Ellie had arranged a rare evening together. They both had new boyfriends – they were on the fourth or fifth date and Ellie had decided they should all go out together, for reasons that Abby now couldn’t remember.

 

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