Heather hid in the bushes, sheltering from the rain, waiting for the bus to come in. She’d been there for more thanan hour and she was cold to the bone, despite her waxed jacket. Because of the sudden change in the weather, the sky had darkened even though it wasn’t yet nine. Did that mean they would miss their curfew of ‘before dark’? This used to be nine thirty but the nights were already drawing in very slightly, and the bad weather made the sky darker than usual. Either way, Heather was past caring. She needed to see Flora, to make things right between them. She was still smarting that her sister had chosen to confide in Jess over her.
The clock tower was empty. The rain was too heavy for the usual youths to hang out there tonight. The streets were wet, with only the occasional car driving past, the whoosh of water under tyres making her think of her best friend. They loved to huddle in the barn, listening to the rain and sketching.
Then she saw the bus rattling towards her, screeching to a halt next to the bus stop. She was surprised to see Dylan get off first, alone. He had no jacket on, just his thin T-shirt, and his shoulders were hunched against the rain as he walked along the street, then turned off towards the fields that led to the fair. Heather’s heart fell. Where was her sister? Why was she not with Dylan? Another couple got off the bus, holding hands and occasionally smooching, not caring about the weather as they wandered in the opposite direction towards the beach.
And then Heather saw Flora stepping daintily from the bus, her heavy DMs landing in a puddle and splashing the hem of her skirt. Her hair hung in dark tendrils and she had her earphones in, the yellow leads snakingaround her velvet jacket and towards the bag on her back. Heather’s heart swelled. Her sister looked utterly miserable. A car drove past, obscuring Flora for a second, before moving out of sight.
Heather stumbled out of the bushes and into Flora’s path, making her sister jump in fright. She put a hand to her heart. ‘Shit, what are you doing?’ she hissed, pulling off the earphones so that they dangled in one hand. Her family signet ring glinted under the streetlight.
Family.They were linked, her and Flora. They shared the same blood. And that stupid little dickhead Dylan wouldn’t come between them.
‘Where have you been?’ she said, although she knew. ‘You’ve been with him again, haven’t you? Sneaking off to God knows where. What’s wrong with you, Flora? Why can’t you see what a loser he is?’
‘Not now, Heather.’ Flora looked weary, like she’d rather be anywhere else than there, talking with her. ‘Go home.’
Heather felt the familiar white-hot rage flare up inside her.Go home.Was that how little Flora thought of her, or respected her? She’d confide in Jess but not her. Her own sister.
‘Why are you freezing me out?’ Heather demanded, her hands making fists by her sides.
Flora sighed. ‘I’m not.’
‘You told Jess where you were going this morning but not me. Don’t you trust me?’
‘It’s not that … Listen, I’m tired. It’s been a long day.’
The rain had stopped now and the air smelt fresh, like washed clothes. Flora went to walk away but Heather ranafter her, tugging at her jacket. ‘I was only trying to protect you. That’s why I hurt Dylan. Listen to me …’
Flora stopped walking and spun around. ‘I just want to go home,’ she said.
‘You pushed me the other day. You’ve not been speaking to me.’
‘Oh, grow up. I’ve got bigger things to think about,’ Flora replied.
‘No. We need to talk about this now.’
‘We’ll be late.’
‘I don’t care!’ Heather screamed. That got her sister’s attention. Heather always cared about being late.
Flora stared at her sister dispassionately. Flora’s hair had begun to curl in the damp, and her face was ashen with mascara streaks under her eyes.
Before Heather even thought about what she was doing she grabbed hold of her sister’s arm and began pulling her towards the lane that led to the fields. ‘Ow! Get off! What are you doing?’ cried Flora, trying to shake her arm free.
‘We can walk and talk,’ said Heather.
‘Leave me alone, you little psycho,’ shrieked Flora, losing her temper now. She pushed Heather away so that she stumbled backwards, landing in the mud. Heather gawped at Flora in shock, then stood up, mud caked on the back of her skirt and down her legs.
‘Why are you so mean to me?’ she cried. ‘I’m only trying to help you!’
‘Are you going to get your riding crop out and whip me too?’ Flora said, her eyes flashing.
Heather flew at her, pushing her so hard that this time Flora went reeling backwards. Her head snapped backagainst the wet pavement, and she must have bitten down on her lip when she fell because it burst open, pouring with blood, her eyes round with shock as she landed, before closing.
And then there was silence, apart from the rustle of the leaves in the tree above them.
Heather leaned over her sister, shaking her. ‘Flora. Oh, God, Flora. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. Please wake up. Please …’
To Heather’s relief, Flora’s eyelids fluttered open and she sat up, groaning. ‘You pushed me!’ she cried.
