Page 16 of Tangled Trust

Open up, you old bat. I’m freezing my balls off out here in the rain.

"Just a minute."

What the hell is the hold-up? Come on!

The door opens at long last.

"Hello, Seb. This is unexpected."

I detest being called Seb. It’s bloody, Sebastian. Seb sounds like a plumber’s assistant or something.

"Hi, Sue. Yes, I'm so sorry for not calling first. May I come in? Just for a few moments."

I can tell she’s unsure. I wonder what lies Ella has told her about me.

"Of course," she says, and she opens the door wide enough so I can step inside and out of the rain.

"Goodness, it’s coming down, isn’t it?" I say, and I remove my coat.

"Yes, lovely weather for ducks. Would you like a cup of tea?"

"Uhm, no thanks. I can’t stay long."

"Okay. Come through. Let’s sit by the fire."

Sue waddles down the passage toward the living room. I follow behind, looking for signs of Ella. Just in case she’s holding up here at her aunt’s.

"Make yourself comfy, Seb."

"Thank you."

"What can I do for you, son?"

"This is a bit delicate, but I was wondering if you know where Ella is."

There’s no point in sugarcoating it. Besides, she probably knows exactly where my girlfriend is hiding.

"Oh. I assumed she had a talk with you."

Talk? What talk?

"No. I’m afraid I’m rather in the dark."

"I see. Ella did leave a letter for you. She asked me to give it to you should you pop by."

For shit’s sake, woman! Why didn’t you call me?

"A letter?" I ask calmly.

"Yes," she says, pulling an envelope from her cardigan. "Here."

I stare at the communication in my hand. I daren’t open it now. Who knows what’s written inside? I’d hate to lose my cool in front of Sue.

"I am sorry things didn’t work out, Seb."

"I think I’d best be going. Thank you for the letter."

"Of course."

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