Chapter 75
Mabel
Belinda is late, observes Mabel crossly, glancing at the grandfather clock in her room. She can still remember standing on tiptoes as a child, admiring the silver moon and stars on its face.
The two of them had arranged to chat after lunch today, when the residents have their quiet time. But she isn’t here.
Mabel isn’t just bored; she is scared. Last night, a familiar nightmare reared its ugly head: the one where she found Aunt Clarissa’s bloody body on the ground, moments before it stood up and started to scream.
Mabel has had this nightmare – or variations of it – ever since Clarissa died.
It terrifies her, despite the fact that some would say her aunt deserved it.
Thank goodness for Belinda’s story, which helps to distract her from her own horrors. Now where is she?
Crossly, Mabel rings the emergency bell.
It takes a while for someone to answer it.
‘This isn’t good enough.’
‘What’s wrong, Mabel?’
‘I need Belinda.’
‘She’s looking after someone else at the moment. Mabel, you know we have to look after everyone and that we don’t have enough staff as it is.’
‘I don’t care. Go and tell Belinda that if she doesn’t come now, I will tell on her.’
‘And say what?’
‘Just give her the message.’
Belinda arrives, breathless, fifteen minutes later. ‘You can’t do that,’ she gasps. ‘Someone needed me.’
‘I need you more.’
Belinda looks scared. ‘I was warned that you’d “tell on me”.’
‘It was only a joke.’
‘It isn’t funny. Now they might suspect me of something.’
‘I’m sorry,’ says Mabel, feeling a little guilty now. ‘But I’m so bored when you’re not here. Just tell me what happened to Karen.’
Belinda sighs. ‘I have to tell you more about the prison first for it to make sense.’