Page 67 of Sisters

‘Shall we go?’ Abby said softly in her ear. ‘I’m certain Jamie will call back today and then we can talk to him and get ourselves out of this mess.’

Ellie stiffened. She was reminded of her earlier fears – and how Jamie would serve to help Abby in defence. Did she trust her sister now? Suddenly Ellie wasn’t sure if she’d just been expertly manipulated.

‘What if he doesn’t? I can’t keep on like this, Abby.’

Abby looked at her watch. ‘OK, let’s give it until this evening. If he hasn’t rung by eight, we’ll call someone else.’

‘Who?’

‘I don’t know. Anyone. You choose. Use my phone. Google someone. The best person you can find. I’ll pay for it.’

There it was again. That same look of genuine care and concern.

Back in the car, Ellie still held the gun in her hand. She didn’t want it touching her skin anymore; she found it abhorrent. Should she put it in her own bag? As she hesitated, Abby put a hand over hers.

‘I meant what I said. You keep it.’

Ellie dropped it into her bag and pushed it away from her with her feet. Abby started the engine and as she pulled out onto the quiet country road, she exhaled.

‘Wow...Thank you.’

‘For what?’

‘Not shooting me.’

Ellie shrugged. ‘Welcome.’

‘How did you even know how to use that thing?’

‘You just pull, don’t you?’

‘Don’t know.’

Ellie looked at her sister. ‘You brought a gun and you don’t know how to use it?’

‘Well, it’s not like I’ve ever needed to find out.’

‘Is it even loaded?’

‘Not sure. I wouldn’t know how to check.’

Ellie pondered. ‘I think it was.’

‘Really?’

‘Yeah. It was heavy.’

Abby looked across and Ellie saw her sister’s mouth twitch.

‘You could feel the weight of the bullets?’ asked Abby.

Ellie frowned. ‘What’s so funny?’

By now, Abby had erupted into giggles that she was finding impossible to suppress. ‘Sorry,’ she said, still trying to be serious.

Ellie smiled. ‘There was a definite feel of lead, lots of lead.’

Abby was laughing outright now.