Louie wasn’t afraid of that old bastard. He hadn’t got the measure of her at all. As ever, the old underestimate the wisdom of the young. They think they know it all just because they’re old.
She was sitting by the window, keeping a lookout down at street level three floors below. At the same time, flicking through photos of Karin taken on her phone in Leeds, wanting to get the best possible light in which to view them. The one taken from the café window was her particular favourite, because Karin had been coming towards her and looked natural. She was frowning, but Louie liked that. It showed her vulnerability as well as her strength, and was also the first expression she had seen on Karin’s face the night she had saved her from drowning.
Later, Louie would turn these images into paintings. It made her sad to think this was all she had to work from.
For now.
Suddenly a burst of Karin’s laughter filled the room. She was dancing across the floor. Badly. Karin had no sense of rhythm but she liked to dance because she knew it amused Louie. They were so happy together. Why did she go?
One day, soon, Karin would understand that she hadn’t betrayed her. And never would. How could she betray the one she loved? But when she did come back, Louie wanted her complete trust again and for Karin to be sure that she loved her, that she had always truly loved Louie. Otherwise it was not worth having at all.
When she saw a car she didn’t recognize pull up outside their building, she reached for the belt that was on the kitchen unit, constantly within grabbing distance, and put it round her waist. The knife was still in its horizontal sheath that was attached to the belt.
Louie took it out and examined the blade.
The car pulled away again.