Blood Sisters(81)

‘Don’t get cross, darling.’ Friday Mum was beginning to sound panicky. ‘A lot depends on this.’

Then the door opened. ‘So sorry I’m late but the traffic was dreadful.’

It was Call Me Jeannie. Kitty swivelled her head round to see if Johnny was there.

No.

Part of her was pleased.

The other part was hurt.

‘Remember,’ said the doctor firmly. ‘Be nice and still now.’

Kitty felt Call Me Jeannie’s soft hand taking one of hers. Friday Mum had the other.

It was rather nice. But Kitty could see from the look on Friday Mum’s face that she wasn’t very pleased about her mother-in-law being there. The Monster lashed out a foot. Ouch!

‘Did you see that?’ whispered Call Me Jeannie.

‘Please. Quiet.’

The doctor was studying the screen intently. He had headphones on too. Kick. Kick. Wriggle. Wriggle. It seemed to go on for ages.

Eventually, the doctor took off his headphones. ‘You can remove the cap now,’ he said.

‘Any luck?’ breathed Friday Mum.

‘What do you think?’ asked Call Me Jeannie at the same time.

The doctor shook his head. ‘I’m afraid Kitty isn’t responding to this device. But there are others we can try. There are all kinds of new developments going on at the moment so we mustn’t lose hope. On the other hand, we obviously can’t make any firm promises.’

A tear rolled down Friday Mum’s cheek. Kitty reached out towards it with her good hand.

‘I’m sorry, Lilian,’ said Call Me Jeannie softly. ‘I know how much this means to you.’

There was a sob. ‘It might also have meant a lot to Alison.’

Alison, Alison, thought Kitty crossly. It was always Half a Sister that Friday Mum worried about. What about her? Yet, at the same time, Kitty couldn’t help feeling that somehow – goodness knows why – she’d let down the girl with the blonde hair who always seemed so kind to her.

‘What am I going to do?’ Friday Mum was really weeping now. ‘I’m going to lose both girls, aren’t I?’

Lose both girls. What did she mean?

‘You’re probably wondering where Johnny is,’ said Call Me Jeannie as they wheeled her back to the van. ‘He’s gone away for the week. The day centre has organized a residential camp on Dartmoor.’

Bet that girl was there too! Kitty felt her limbs flail out in anger. ‘Ouch, dear. Don’t do that. You’ll hurt us. Kitty, I said, don’t.’

But she couldn’t stop. Besides, The Monster was urging her on. She didn’t particularly want Johnny any more. But that didn’t mean that someone else could have him.

By the time she got home, Kitty was hysterical. ‘What’s going on here?’ said Bossy Supervisor sharply.

Friday Mum whispered something to her.

‘I see.’ She shook her head. ‘I’m sorry. It can’t be easy for her.’

It was the first time Kitty had seen her look so understanding. ‘Let’s give you something to calm you down, shall we?’

‘No. Get off me.’

But she was coming closer. For a minute, Kitty had a vision of someone else coming closer to her. A long time ago. Someone who was angry. Very angry.

Then Bossy Supervisor reached for that bloody needle and Kitty felt the blackness coming over her again.





One more time.

I can remember this much. And I’m certain – don’t ask me how – that there’s something else here that might bring back the full story. The real truth.

Shoulder bags bobbing.

Blonde plaits flapping.

Two pairs of feet.

Three.

‘Come on. We’re going to be late.’

Summer sun. Blinding eyes.

Green chestnut leaves spread out above.

Blue blazers. Violin case knocking knees.

School sign.

French essay.

CHILDREN SLOW.

Nearly there. Almost safe.

Almost, almost …

Then what?





60


September 2017


Alison


Good luck. Will be thinking of you.



Of all the people in the world, Clive is the one I need right now. He will know the right things to say. He will calm me down just by holding me tight. But his business trip has been extended. And now I must do this on my own.

Even so, I hold his text in my head for comfort as I hang on to Robin’s arm. The crowds outside the court are scaring me. So too are the photographers.

‘Alison,’ calls out a journalist. ‘Are you really guilty of hurting your sister and killing her friend? Did you allow Crispin to take the blame for his mother’s death too?’

‘Why is there so much interest?’ I gasp as we finally get inside.

Robin’s face is tight. ‘Good PR on the other side, if you ask me. It’s a so-called human-interest story. We just have to make sure that your side comes across too.’

As he speaks, we find ourselves face-to-face with Kitty and Mum. My heart lurches at the sight of my pregnant sister. Kitty is laughing and dribbling as if this is all some kind of huge joke.

Mum, on the other hand, is giving me a look I can’t quite read. I think it says that she wants to believe me, but that she’s not quite sure. A flutter of unease passes through me.