Never Forget: a gripping psychological thriller by Robert W. Kirby

Author:Robert W. Kirby [Kirby, Robert W.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Inkubator Books
Published: 2024-05-05T00:00:00+00:00

30

Wednesday

(Two days before the deadline)

The grotto had never been her place, Jennifer recalled. This spot was Ava’s. It had always been overgrown and hidden away, but now the stone structure could hardly be seen under the weeds and clumps of wildflowers growing around it. She spotted the small white flower of the dead nettle plant and clusters of the purple bell-shaped flowers of the foxglove.

Jennifer took the stone bridge over the narrow, dried-up stream that circled the structure and walked inside the grotto. Made of cobblestones, it was a curved, oblong shape, though they all used to call it the circle grotto.

Her grandad once told her that one day he’d explored this part of the grounds and just stumbled upon this place. Told them all it popped up as if by magic. She suspected that was a big fib and recalled her mum telling her that Ernest had built it, but nobody knew why, or how he’d even acquired the stones to make it. The grotto had no purpose. Or even a roof. But it made a great hideaway for Ava. A place to smoke cigarettes, drink cheap booze, and keep out of Jennifer’s way.

It was damp inside and smelled of rot. A wooden ledge had been constructed across the top, which at one time you could sit on and use as a lookout spot, but that no longer looked safe and was now covered in a mass of multicoloured fungi.

As she ran her hand over the large stones, she decided the grotto was a bit like a small castle. But being in here evoked an uncomfortable emotion. More than that. A distressing sadness flooded through her suddenly – she’d never been welcome in the grotto. As a child, she’d often venture down here. Yes, she’d explore this area even after her sisters had given her strict orders to stay away. Jennifer could almost smell the pungent cigarette smoke now.

On one warm summer’s afternoon, she’d caught her eldest sister smoking inside. Much of the memory seemed hazy. Apart from Ava’s fierce eyes when they’d fixed on her. When she’d understood her little sister had caught her in the act of taking a big puff on that stolen Marlboro Light.

The fog cleared in her head. The picture becoming sharper. That white box with the gold pattern. She’d picked the box up from the floor and read the bottom of the packet. ‘Smooth original flavour. How can cigarettes have any flavour? That’s weird.’

‘Go away.’

‘I don’t understand the point of smoking these.’

‘I don’t understand the point of you. So do one.’

‘I want to play in here.’

Ava had jumped to her feet. ‘Put them down. Now, frog face!’ With that, she’d flicked the cigarette end straight into her face, catching her just under the left eye.

Jennifer flinched at the memory. Almost sensing the hot ash burning her skin all over again.

Then Ava had thundered towards her, screaming, and slapped her across the side of the head.

The noise of the strike had echoed around the smoky den.

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