Page 112 of Sisters

Susanna looked grim. ‘I will tell you exactly.’

EIGHTY-SIX

They could see teasing glimpses of blue as the car rose over a hill, or when the trees thinned to reveal the horizon.

‘Oh my God,’ said Abby, leaning forward to peer through the windscreen. ‘Is that what I think it is?’

‘The Atlantic,’ said Ellie.

They continued in silence, looking out for the sea, which became more visible as they got closer, passing rocky outcrops, trees misshapen by years of westerlies blowing off the ocean, until the single-track road came to a natural halt.

Abby stopped the car and turned off the engine. Both girls stared ahead. Land had ended. They were on the edge of an enormous cliff, the ocean spread out before them. Far out to sea, the horizon stretched until it blurred into a blue haze. A breathtaking drop below, the waves battered the edge of the rock. Gulls wheeled on thermals, soaring, looking for all the world as if they were in their own playground.

‘Vixía Herbeira, six hundred and twenty-one metres – that’s nearly six times the height of the White Cliffs of Dover,’ quoted Ellie.

Abby looked at her sister. ‘Is thatthecliff? Theif you don’t visit in life, you’ll visit in deathcliff?’

‘Yep.’ Ellie saw Abby staring in wonder. ‘Now, for God’s sake, don’t do anything crazy. NoThelma and Louise.’

Abby was puzzled. ‘Thelma and Louise?’

‘Yes, you know, the movie. Driving off the edge.’

‘Why did they do that?’

‘To evade capture. To be free. Don’t tell me you’ve never seen it.’

‘I didn’t really go to the cinema.’

‘Good God, Abby, it’s ancient. It came out in the nineties.’

‘I never had cable either.’

‘It would be on normal TV. Please tell me you watched TV.’

Abby was indignant. ‘Of course I did! I’m not a freak. Just not that often. Too tired or at work. Must have missed our friends Thelma and Louise. Were they sisters?’

Ellie smiled to herself. ‘Might as well have been.’

‘OK, Louise,’ said Abby. ‘I’m not going to drive off that cliff.’

‘I think you’re probably Louise,’ said Ellie. ‘The level-headed one. The one who was strong, who led all the time. The achiever.’

‘You’ve achieved,’ said Abby.

Ellie let out a small laugh.

‘Of course you have. You’ve lived your life to the full. Travelled, had experiences I’ve deliberately deprived myself of.’

‘But you had the high-flying career.’

‘Not the life, though. You may have had a stunted childhood being wrapped up in cotton wool but you sure made up for it.’

Ellie pondered, eyes lighting up as this new revelation sank in. Maybe she had.

‘Who are you calling stunted?’

Abby smiled.