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Charlie had had no choice, but it stung that she’d put Kim before Elda.

“Charlie did the only thing she could last night. It’s not like she could ignore that brutish boyfriend threatening to knock her own front door down.” Jack faced Elda. “Don’t you want to see her?”

“Of course.” It niggled that he could see straight through Elda’s frustration. “But I can’t bear the thought of her here in this house, with this mess and Mum upstairs acting like she does. It’s awful.”

“You’re shattered, and you need looking after. Charlie will be here to support you. You don’t need to be anyone else for her. And you certainly don’t need to explain your mum’s behaviour. We all know what’s going on there. We’re just here for you.”

“She’s not here though. She texts me when she can. And only calls me when she’s between meetings. Last night I called her, over and over, but she was dealing with Kim’s crisis. I don’t know exactly what’s going on there, but she isn’t here. She’s working, and she’s got problems to solve. I’m just getting in the way.” Elda’s cheeks burned with the hurt, and tears fell once more down her neck. She knew she’d feel better when she cried, because holding it all in was unbearable.

Jack pulled her into his arms. “You need some sleep. Go and rest your eyes.”

She stood and leaned into the strength of his wiry frame as he guided her up the stairs.

“I’ll be here when you wake up.”

In bed, Elda stared at the ceiling. She knew Charlie would have wanted to pick up the phone to her. The betrayal was all in her head. Her eyelids dipped.

She’d been stirring for a while before she heard the rapping of the door. Stumbling from the bed, she took the stairs and opened the door to Charlie.

“I’m sorry I’m late. I had to settle a few things to take a few days—”

“No, not inside.” Elda yanked her arm, dragging them away from the house and towards Charlie’s car. It was a freedom, walking out of the house on her own. She had craved it just a few days ago. Now she’d give anything to hold her nan’s warm hand again.

“Elda, you haven’t even got a proper jacket on. It’s cold out here.” Charlie held her shoulder. “Be careful of my arm.”

“Sorry, I forgot.” She swung around to inspect Charlie’s injury. “Where are you hurt?”

“Don’t worry, it’s nothing serious. Just don’t pull me around like a rag doll.”

“I can’t be in there anymore. I need to be somewhere else with you.” She took the keys from Charlie and started the engine, crunching the gears into place.

“I’m worried about you. Can you just stop?”

“Not here.” Elda shut the conversation down and drove towards the outskirts of town. She took a country lane, and silence filled the car as she navigated the road. The sky darkened, and the car groaned with speed, but Elda knew these roads well. She took a hidden turning and drove along a woodland track. In a small clearing, she cut the engine and the headlights, and her eyes adjusted to the dusk. She climbed over the middle of the two seats to get into the back.

“Elda, what are you doing?”

“I’m waiting for you.”

Charlie sighed, opened the passenger door, and climbed into the back. “Hey, what’s going on?” She opened her arms.

Elda pulled Charlie towards her and kissed her. She needed to feel something other than the dead emptiness that followed her. She sat on Charlie’s lap and tugged the zip of her jeans.

“Wait, Elda.” Charlie pressed against Elda’s shoulder. “What’s happening here?”

Elda put her finger to Charlie’s lips. Holding in tears, she silently begged Charlie to give in to her. Charlie’s face softened. She took her cheeks between her palms and met Elda’s lips with tenderness. Elda tasted the salty tears spilling down her face and pulled back.

“It’s okay,” Charlie said.

“I just need you.” Elda softened into Charlie’s arms and allowed her whole weight to lay in her lap. “I’ve been on my own with it all.”

***

A long, black hearse approached the house.

Panic rose in Elda. “I don’t think that car will be able to turn around.” She looked at the cul-de-sac.

“Yes, it will. They do this every day.” Charlie rubbed Elda’s bare forearm.