Chapter 38

38

As she washed down the kitchen, she felt the presence behind her. She didn't turn round. Kept her concentration on the wall. On her hand holding the damp cloth.

‘What did you do to my tiles?'

She couldn't answer even if she'd wanted to, which she didn't.

‘Answer me!'

Now she faced the woman so she could see her duct-taped lips.

‘Oh, for heaven's sake. You're totally stupid. Just like him.' The woman marched forward and tore the tape away, causing a painful tingle on her cracked lips, then stood and scrutinised her.

‘It was an accident,' she croaked.

The woman ran her finger down the wall and smelled it. ‘Eggs. You threw eggs at my wall, didn't you?'

‘N-no. Y-yes. S-sorry.'

‘You will be sorry when I finish with you. Clean it up. I want it sparkling and smelling of lemons. Do you understand plain English?'

‘Y-yes.'

‘Well then, why are you standing there with your gob hanging open? Get to work.'

The young woman returned to her task. Reaching into the sink with the cloth, she felt a sharp pain on the back of her head as the woman struck her forcefully. She wanted to cry out, but instead she bit down on her lips until they bled. When the presence disappeared from behind her, she rinsed the cloth and got back to work.

She wondered if she would ever escape, but that was the wrong thought. She had to concentrate on when , not if .