Eve

The hallway was empty, the house too still, like it knew what was happening and didn’t want to witness it. I made it halfway down the stairs when I heard soft footsteps behind me.

“Mrs Hawthorne?” Ellen’s voice was gentle, worried. She appeared at the top of the stairs, apron still tied, hands clasped in front of her like she didn’t know what to do with them. “What happened? Where are you heading to?”

I paused on the landing, suitcase bumping against my leg. I couldn’t meet her eyes. The lump in my throat was too big, the tears too close again.

I shook my head once, slow and...