Then She Vanishes(86)

‘Not now, Heather.’ Flora looked weary, like she’d rather be anywhere else than there, talking with her. ‘Go home.’

Heather felt the familiar white-hot rage flare up inside her. Go home. Was that how little Flora thought of her, or respected her? She’d confide in Jess but not her. Her own sister.

‘Why are you freezing me out?’ Heather demanded, her hands making fists by her sides.

Flora sighed. ‘I’m not.’

‘You told Jess where you were going this morning but not me. Don’t you trust me?’

‘It’s not that … Listen, I’m tired. It’s been a long day.’

The rain had stopped now and the air smelt fresh, like washed clothes. Flora went to walk away but Heather ran after her, tugging at her jacket. ‘I was only trying to protect you. That’s why I hurt Dylan. Listen to me …’

Flora stopped walking and spun around. ‘I just want to go home,’ she said.

‘You pushed me the other day. You’ve not been speaking to me.’

‘Oh, grow up. I’ve got bigger things to think about,’ Flora replied.

‘No. We need to talk about this now.’

‘We’ll be late.’

‘I don’t care!’ Heather screamed. That got her sister’s attention. Heather always cared about being late.

Flora stared at her sister dispassionately. Flora’s hair had begun to curl in the damp, and her face was ashen with mascara streaks under her eyes.

Before Heather even thought about what she was doing she grabbed hold of her sister’s arm and began pulling her towards the lane that led to the fields. ‘Ow! Get off! What are you doing?’ cried Flora, trying to shake her arm free.

‘We can walk and talk,’ said Heather.

‘Leave me alone, you little psycho,’ shrieked Flora, losing her temper now. She pushed Heather away so that she stumbled backwards, landing in the mud. Heather gawped at Flora in shock, then stood up, mud caked on the back of her skirt and down her legs.

‘Why are you so mean to me?’ she cried. ‘I’m only trying to help you!’

‘Are you going to get your riding crop out and whip me too?’ Flora said, her eyes flashing.

Heather flew at her, pushing her so hard that this time Flora went reeling backwards. Her head snapped back against the wet pavement, and she must have bitten down on her lip when she fell because it burst open, pouring with blood, her eyes round with shock as she landed, before closing.

And then there was silence, apart from the rustle of the leaves in the tree above them.

Heather leaned over her sister, shaking her. ‘Flora. Oh, God, Flora. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. Please wake up. Please …’

To Heather’s relief, Flora’s eyelids fluttered open and she sat up, groaning. ‘You pushed me!’ she cried.

‘You pushed me first. And I fell into a muddy ditch!’

Flora touched her lip and blood came away on her fingers, dripping down her chin and onto her blouse. ‘I’m bleeding.’

Heather knelt down, her bare knees snagging on the concrete pavement. ‘Here, let me help you.’

But Flora pushed her away. ‘Leave me alone.’ Her voice sounded weird with the fat lip, which had already swelled to twice its normal size. She stood up shakily, brushing down her wet skirt.

‘Flora, I’m sorry. I –’ She reached out, but Flora slapped her hand away.

‘Go home. Now! Before I fucking kill you!’ spat Flora, blood bubbling on her lip. She picked up her Walkman from the pavement and Heather could see that it had smashed in the fall. Flora crouched over it, tears spilling down her face.

Heather wanted to cry too. ‘I’m so sorry.’ She touched her sister’s shoulder. ‘I’ll buy you another. I shouldn’t have come to find you. I was worried.’

Flora covered Heather’s hand with her own and squeezed it gently. ‘I know. But please just leave me alone now. I’ll follow you. Just go. There’s no point in us both being late.’

Heather knew when she was beaten. If she stayed it would only make matters worse. Flora was too cold, tired and angry to listen to her now. She’d follow on. She just needed some space. It was still only a little past nine and not yet properly dark. And Jess would be wondering where she was. She’d left her in her bedroom nearly an hour and a half ago, telling her she was sorting out the pony. Because it was raining Jess had been happy to stay behind. Jess didn’t love horses like she did.

Heather turned back just once as she walked off down the road, before taking a left along the lane that led to the fields. Flora was kneeling on the ground and stuffing what remained of her Walkman into her rucksack, her hair obscuring her face. Heather wanted to rush back to her sister and throw her arms around her. But she knew it wouldn’t be welcome.

And then, her heart full of guilt and sorrow, Heather trudged down the lane that led towards home.





46




Jess


Time seems to stand still as I watch from the window. I press my face to the glass, trying to spot Rory in the building opposite. I’ve got my boots and coat on in preparation, my phone in my hand, ready to call the police if he flashes his torch three times. Nothing. The silence seems worse somehow. I’m imagining all sorts: he’s been stabbed before he can alert me that he’s in danger; he’s been beaten up – murdered.