her nightgown . What would the neighbours think ? They would think that I didn ’ t teach you right and wrong . His voice around her , whispering from the crown of the tree that grew in front of the dining room window . Hissing from the hedges behind her . From the blades of grass below her . His voice , taunting her .
They would be glad that I stayed . To teach you . To make sure you didn ’ t do anything stupid .
“ No ,” Adeline screamed . “ You can ’ t be here . The flames . I killed you .”
Laughter inside her head , his cackle , like whenever she had confessed that she did not know something , believing that he would understand .
You thought I lived in the house ? You stupid child . I am always with you . Close your eyes , Adeline . Close your eyes and tell me that you see me , squatting in the back of your mind , chewing on your thoughts . Crunch crunch , Adeline . Crunch crunch .
The neighbours were coming out of their houses . They stood on their lawns , pointing at her , talking about her . What were the neighbours saying ?
Wendy Parsons , who many times had hosted Adeline and Edward for tea , had come out of her house across the road . She was still wearing curlers , which unfurled as she ran and clung to her hair like desperate climbers . She stood , just a few steps from Adeline , and held out her hand .
“ Adeline ? Why don ’ t we go inside ? I ’ ll make you a nice cup of tea and we ’ ll have a talk . How about it ?” Crunch crunch . Wendy might have known what others did not .
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