Page 103 of Sisters

Abby stopped dead as she entered the bar of the B & B. It was empty. She looked around again, even though it would have been impossible not to have spotted her sister and Fredrik the first time. The place was tiny and there was nowhere to hide. Then she clocked two empty glasses on a table and somehow she knew they were theirs. So where had they gone?

Abby’s eyes moved upwards, towards the ceiling. Surely not...? She decided to check, just in case, and then if they weren’t there...well, she’d have to think again.

As she climbed the stairs she wondered if she should make her tread heavy, let them know she was on her way. She cringed at the thought of catching them mid-act. Reaching the landing, she looked over to the door of the room. It was closed, as she’d left it when she’d stormed out earlier. She edged closer. Stood outside the door and leaned her head towards it. She was about to try the handle when a sound came from the room, like a piece of furniture being knocked or something, and she knew someone was inside. She placed her hand on the door handle.

EIGHTY

Ellie perched on the edge of the bed, Fredrik beside her, hands gentle, lips soft. Then she felt him pull away. ‘I can’t,’ he said, so quietly she barely heard.

‘What?’ Ellie sat up, surprised.

‘I’m sorry.’

She looked for a ring, saw bare fingers. ‘You’re married?’

‘No.’

‘Girlfriend?’

‘No...’

‘So what’s wrong?’

He put his finger urgently to his mouth. ‘Shush.’

‘Why are we whispering?’ whispered Ellie.

He looked so wretched then, she began to get worried.

‘I’m really sorry, Ellie. Look, why don’t we leave here? Together.’ He looked across at the bags on the floor. ‘Grab your suitcase and come with me.’

‘What do you mean? The Camino?’

‘Or something. Just away from here.’

‘But what about Abby?’

He shrugged awkwardly. ‘I don’t think she should come.’

‘You mean, I should just leave her?’

‘I think it would be for the best.’

‘The best, how?’ Ellie saw how agitated Fredrik was. It unnerved her. She pulled down her dress, which had hitched itself over her thigh. She knocked the bedside lamp as she did so and Fredrik put a hand out to steady it.

Then something caught Ellie’s eye. The door handle was slowly turning.

‘Someone’s trying to get in,’ she whispered, pointing.

Fredrik grabbed her hand, pulled her off the bed towards the side of the room. He stood in front of her, making sure she was hidden behind him.

Ellie watched as the handle became still, the person on the other side unable to gain entry. She knew she’d locked the door when she’d come up with Fredrik. Then she heard the sound of the key going in and turning. Ellie tensed as Fredrik held her behind him, then the door slowly opened.

‘Abby!’ exclaimed Ellie, pulling away from Fredrik. ‘You’re back.’

Her sister was cutting Fredrik a malevolent look. ‘Who sent you?’ she demanded.

‘Sorry?’ said Fredrik, but Ellie detected a note of dissembling in his voice.