“Why didn’t Daddy phone last night?”
“I don’t know. Too busy probably.”
Sofia Martin hadn’t meant to be so abrupt but she was already late for work.
“I must go now. Promise me you won’t disturb Uncle David. Anna, are you listening?”
The young girl sat staring out of the window twisting a strand of her long blonde hair absently as she gazed across the immaculate garden. Sofia stopped short. Anna was the image of Heather. Just the thought of her “oh so perfect” sister–in–law made Sofia shudder. Her husband David had idolised his younger sister. If Heather wanted help, he’d drop everything, even if it meant letting down his long-suffering wife. Sofia had always felt jealous and second best. Now Heather was still interfering from beyond the grave.
David had insisted on looking after the girls, but Sofia, as usual was the one who’d been left to cope. Sandra was fine. She had cried buckets, then picked up her life and settled here happily, making Sofia’s task an easy one.
But Anna, poor Anna. She wouldn’t cry. She wouldn’t accept what had happened. Anna was hard work.
Now Sofia felt guilty again. The poor girl had suffered so much after losing her mother in that awful accident. Then she felt angry. David was no help at all. He was still grief-stricken and the girls were a constant reminder of his beloved sister. The last letter she sent had been burnt but the contents still preyed on his mind. He kept muttering that he should have done more. Now he kept talking about warning Andy. She knew better than to ask why. Her husband now lived in a world of his own. Just like Anna.
Why hadn’t Andy called? She needed some support here. The girls were used to an absent father, but he always called, even if it was a fleeting message left on the machine. Something wasn’t quite right but she was in far too much of a hurry to worry about that now.
Sofia rushed out of the house, turning belatedly to wave goodbye. Anna sat motionless at the window, staring at the sky.
Neither noticed the shadowy figure emerging from behind the garage as Sofia drove away. He was unshaven and dishevelled after a night in the open, but it had been worth it.
“There’s no mistake. She’s the image of her mother. I’ve found her, Boss. What do you want me to do?”