The Secret She Kept by J.S Ellis

Author:J.S Ellis [Ellis, J.S]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery Fiction, Suspense, Vigilante Justice, Psychological Thrillers, Thrillers, Crime
ISBN: 9789995716837
Publisher: Black Cat Ink Press
Published: 2020-06-22T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

My hands are shaking so much, I can’t do my tie. Giving up, I sit on the edge of the bed and light a cigarette. The buzzer goes off. Ella called me yesterday to arrange to meet me here so we can go together to the funeral. The flat is in disarray, with empty plates on the table and mugs in the sink. The furniture needs dusting, clothes are tossed on the bedroom floor. Ella places the umbrella by the door, walks over and gives me a hug. She is not wearing any make-up and I’m still holding the tie in my hand.

‘I can’t... do my tie. Will you do it for me?’ I ask her.

‘Of course.’

I watch her hands doing the knot. For a moment, I want to tell her everything, about the laptop, the videos, that Lottie was sexually involved with Davian. I can’t carry this burden alone. This secret. Ella's eyes go up to my face. I open my mouth hoping the words will come out. My body spasms. It feels as if something heavy has landed on me.

‘You’re shaking,’ she says.

‘I’m cold.’

That’s all I manage to say.

The casket stands in front of the altar surrounded with flowers. I don’t think I would be able to handle it, knowing that inside it lay her body, soon to be buried. She died alone and helpless. I heave as I stand by the coffin and place my hand on the wood; no matter what type of wood it is, it’s still a box, and she is in it. My friend that I have known, cared for and loved. The friend that lied and kept secrets from me. As if I meant nothing, as if our friendship meant nothing. It’s not her in that coffin, not Lottie. Her corpse is in there but what about the rest of her?

‘Why you didn’t tell me? Why did you feel the need to speak to a laptop instead of talking to me?’ I sigh. ‘I’m going to find out who did this to you.’

I sit in the second row, Ella beside me. In the front row are Lottie’s parents and family members. There is a picture of Lottie, one I have never seen before; she’s sitting in the park smiling prettily at the camera. She looks so innocent and pure. I wipe the tears away. The church is slowly filling up. The priest appears and opens the Bible, the organ starts and the people rise.

During the ceremony, I scanned the church; Giselle and Lilia were sitting in another row. Behind them is Abdel. I nod at him and he does the same. Lilia nods I nod back. There are my mum and my dad. Dad sees me and I nod. At the far back, standing, is Davian. Melissa is nowhere in sight. Davian is leaning against the pillar, his hands shoved in his trouser pocket, gazing ahead, too wrapped up in his own thoughts to see me looking at him.

The wake is held at Lottie’s parents’.

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