A small smile is my answer. “A good friend of mine, who will remain nameless for the purpose of this test. I’m sorry for the secrecy, but remember this is a valuable test you must undertake because the rest of your lives are at stake. One year of solitude away from each other and on the final day you will all receive a call from me asking if you wish to return. It will be solely your decision with no persuasion from your sisters, and only then will I consider you are ready to join the sisterhood.”
She stands, which is our cue to leave, and glances at the wooden clock on the stark painted wall.
“We must prepare for prayers before dinner. Be ready at 6:00 a.m. where a cab will be waiting to take Rose on her way. Good luck, girls, and remember you will always have a home here if that is what you choose.”
We nod, and as we turn away, I detect the concern in Sister Agatha’s eyes before a smile chases it away, and yet it’s with a lighter step that I walk away back to the room we came from.
The minutewe reach our room, Tiffany bursts into tears.
“I can’t do it.”
Alice nods. “This is a disaster. Why is she making us do this?”
I shrug, wondering why I am not reacting the same as them.
“It’s a test. God’s test.” I remind them, and Tiffany nods, swallowing hard.
“I suppose, but I don’t have to like it.”
“Me neither,” Alice adds, and as their gazes turn to me, I nod emphatically.
“Same.”
I turn away before my expression gives me away because the sense of churning excitement running through me right now is inappropriate considering their misery.
“I don’t want to be without you.” Tiffany whines, and Alice moves to her side and pulls her close.
“Rose, over here.”
Her sharp request causes me to turn, and she nods toward Tiffany.
I head their way and take up my position on the other side of Tiffany, and Alice places her hand on the top of Tiffany’s knee, who slaps her hand on top, and I do the same, and we stare at one another with determination.
“We can do this,” Alice says through gritted teeth, and I nod.
“Wewilldo this.”
Tiffany sighs, her voice wavering as she whispers, “We have to do this. But we don’t have to like it.”
For some reason, her words lighten the atmosphere, and as we huddle together in the stark room that has been home for close on four years, my gaze once again drifts to the small window, and my heart beats wildly inside.
I will do this.
My words are silent, for my information only, because as soon as the plan was voiced, I knew in my heart destiny was calling. My inner thoughts, the turmoil of my dreams and my interest in the gardener have led God to set us this challenge, and as always he was right to do so. I’m in no doubt I will give this test my everything, and if it brings me back into the fold, I will do so gladly. If not, my life will never be the same again.
2
ROSE
At 6:30 a.m. the chill of the morning air wraps itself around my soul as I prepare to say farewell. Not goodbye—not yet anyway, and as I stand with my sisters, I shiver inside.
Sister Agatha Maria stands silently watching, her hands clasped as if in prayer as the driver loads my case into the trunk.
I am dressed as a civilian in a smart dress with a woollen coat, sensible shoes and clutching a purse made of cheap man-made fabric.
My sisters are in their familiar habits as their departure will be later than mine, and my heart beats frantically as I prepare to say goodbye.
The driver stands beside the open door of the passenger seat, and I swallow hard.
