The Neighbours: A BRAND NEW absolutely addictive psychological thriller with a jaw-dropping twist by Renita D'Silva

Author:Renita D'Silva [D'Silva, Renita]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Joffe Books psychological thrillers, suspense and crime
Published: 2024-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 27

Edith

Edith is making her way to the kitchen to put the kettle on when she sees a strange man carrying a bouquet of red roses knocking on the front door of Number 2 — Sapna’s house. The name had come to her in bed and Edith had drifted off to sleep smiling. There was life in her old bones after all, her memory was not a goner yet.

Well, about time they received a visitor, she thinks. It’s Sunday, after all. But come to think of it, didn’t she see the thug of a husband leave this morning at the usual time? Well, it’s none of her business, of course.

It’s a glorious spring morning. The sun, having recharged its batteries all winter, is showing off. Golden rays, deliciously warm, snake into the kitchen, making the top of the cabinets shimmer and glow. Outside, her unruly grass is still wet from last night’s showers. Birds twitter and a magpie lands hopefully in the garden, fooled by the glittering raindrops.

One for sorrow, two for joy, Edith thinks. Where’s the other one? Come on, Mr Magpie, where’s your mate?

The solitary magpie hops around and, after pecking away at the blades, flies away.

Ah well, sorrow it is. At her age, what else can she expect?

She’s crossing back to her armchair with her mug of tea and two triangles of the shortbread she baked this morning, when the front door of Number 2 is opened and Edith sees the man gather Sapna in his arms, kissing her cheeks, her eyes.

Oh dear, it doesn’t look brotherly at all, and it is rather intimate for a friendly peck . . .

She looks across and sees Gemma’s curtains twitch. Did Gemma see the man kiss Sapna, she wonders.

The door to Sapna’s house closes and almost ten minutes later — Edith has been keeping tabs — the man exits. But he doesn’t leave immediately, no. He stops in front of Edith’s house, right in her line of sight, and watches Sapna’s house, a speculative look on his handsomely rugged face. She seems to attract these thuggish-looking men, that slip of a girl. What is the man thinking, Edith wonders. He appears lost in introspection, his hands stuffed into his pockets, rocking on his feet as he stares at Sapna’s door as if it holds all the answers. Are those tears shining in his eyes? Is he Sapna’s lover? Beautiful women always attract trouble, Edith muses.

She thinks of how Sapna had looked, sitting opposite her, in this very room, the couple of times she came to tea. So agitated. So lost. Her husband must be abusing her. She is entitled to a lover. But, if Edith’s instincts are anything to go by, this man doesn’t look like he’ll take care of her either.

Stop getting worked up, she chides herself. This is not your problem.

Yet, the girl arouses a protective instinct in Edith.

Nobody, other than yourself, has your best interests at heart, my dear, she tells Sapna silently in her head. Certainly not these men who appear drawn to you.

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