Mel was busy packing, bagging and boxing up her possessions, repeatedly asking herself how on earth she had managed to accumulate so much stuff over the years. Radio 6 Music was on in the background and every so often she would turn up the volume and dance across the bedroom floor, returning to her task when the track had ended.
The things she wasn’t taking were going into bin liners: books, CDs, old clothes and jewellery, general bric-a-brac. At least she could do her bit for the homeless charity. Whenever she heard a car pull up outside she stopped what she was doing and peered out of the window. It was hard to see very much now, as the streetlamp directly in front of the house wasn’t working – another late-night student prank probably – and darkness had already swallowed up the last part of the day. She hadn’t quite got used to seeing the ‘For Sale’ sign over by the fence. It tricked her every time into thinking it was a person standing in the garden, giving her a scare until she remembered.
It was after ten thirty by the time she had finished packing. Feeling like she had earned herself a glass of wine, she went downstairs to the kitchen, noticing the open blinds. As she went to close them, she saw a shadowy mass just beyond the path in front of the window. A figure. Then a light, shining across the garden, made her retreat quickly out of sight.
Aaron had his own key and would use the front door. So too did Karin, and she didn’t expect to see her here tonight.
Hovering by the kitchen door, trying to decide what to do, she held her breath and reached her hand towards the cutlery drawer, opening it as silently as she could. Her fingers wrapped around the rolling pin. It was at that point she realized that her phone was still lying on the bed upstairs. She couldn’t go back up to get it now, in case whoever was out there suddenly burst through the back door.
It was locked, but she still went to check, fumbling with the latch and bolts. Her reluctance to part with the rolling pin made the task more awkward.
All secure.
Mel edged closer to the blinds again, the hairs on her arms rising with each tiny shuffle. She reached out and managed to create a larger gap in the slats by pushing down on them with the end of the rolling pin. In so doing, she saw next door’s dog scampering round the garden, the neighbour attempting to catch it. The dog squatted down and for once Mel didn’t mind. It was no longer her problem. She would be out of here soon.
Returning to the lounge, armed only with a bottle of wine and a large glass, she flopped onto the sofa and heaved a sigh of relief. She had only been there a moment or two when she remembered that her phone was still upstairs and went to get it.
That’s when she got the call.
‘Karin? Are you okay?’ All she could hear was Karin sniffling. ‘You don’t sound okay. Where are you? Is Aaron with you?’
After a long delay, she managed to say something. ‘Yes, I’m fine. It’s okay, Mel. I’m sorry to bother you.’
‘Hey, don’t worry. Do you want me to come over? Are you at Aaron’s? I’m in the middle of packing, but I can come. It’s not Louie, is it? Shit. Is it Louie?’
‘No, I, erm, I haven’t heard from her. We’re still working out what to do about that actually. Aaron had a late meeting, but he’ll be back soon. I just got upset thinking about everything, that’s all. My mind’s been whirring, you know, about Will and things. I’ll be okay. So have you found somewhere to live then if you’re packing? Already?’
‘I have. It’s an amazing place, you’re going to love it. You need to make a start on your stuff, Karin. Not that you’ve got anywhere near the amount I have.’
‘Yes, I suppose I should,’ she replied.
‘You are still into it, aren’t you?’
‘Yes, of course I am.’
‘Are you sure everything’s okay, Karin? Have you and Aaron had a row or something?’
‘No. Nothing like that.’
‘Well are you certain you don’t want me to come over? Because I can drop everything. You know I would.’
‘It’s not necessary, honest. I feel loads better just for chatting. Thanks, Mel.’
Karin ended the call. Mel tapped the phone against her chin as she headed back downstairs. After a few more sips of wine she convinced herself that everything was okay and not to worry.
There was nothing more she could do.