Matilda reached the top of the stairs, stopped for a few moments to catch her breath and then knocked on the door. There was no answer. She...
Matilda reached the top of the stairs, stopped for a few moments to catch her breath and then knocked on the door. There was no answer. She frowned and knocked again. “Lazy slut of a girl,” she muttered under her breath and pushed the door open.
Matilda stood frozen for a moment and then she opened her mouth and began to scream. The girl lay on the carpet, staring at the ceiling with wide open eyes. A wasp was hovering over her face. Matilda did not dare go near her but she was certain the girl was dead. “Oh! Mother of god, preserve us from evil,” she cried, clutching the door. She put a hand on her mouth to stop herself from screaming again. “Help me, O lord. Sweet Jesus, protect me!” she chanted. Her head was spinning and she could hardly breathe. She noticed, in a blur, that all the lights were switched on in the bedroom and sunlight danced on the dead girl’s face. Matilda crossed herself quickly and ran out. She stumbled down the stairs, landing at Mary’s feet in a heap.
“Calm. We must all stay calm. I must call Dr Bay,” Mary heard Helen’s voice repeating over and over...
