Sisters - Michelle Frances Page 0,110

through the windscreen. ‘Is that what I think it is?’

‘The Atlantic,’ said Ellie.

They continued in silence, looking out for the sea, which became more visible as they got closer, passing rocky outcrops, trees misshapen by years of westerlies blowing off the ocean, until the single-track road came to a natural halt.

Abby stopped the car and turned off the engine. Both girls stared ahead. Land had ended. They were on the edge of an enormous cliff, the ocean spread out before them. Far out to sea, the horizon stretched until it blurred into a blue haze. A breathtaking drop below, the waves battered the edge of the rock. Gulls wheeled on thermals, soaring, looking for all the world as if they were in their own playground.

‘Vixía Herbeira, six hundred and twenty-one metres – that’s nearly six times the height of the White Cliffs of Dover,’ quoted Ellie.

Abby looked at her sister. ‘Is that the cliff? The if you don’t visit in life, you’ll visit in death cliff?’

‘Yep.’ Ellie saw Abby staring in wonder. ‘Now, for God’s sake, don’t do anything crazy. No Thelma and Louise.’

Abby was puzzled. ‘Thelma and Louise?’

‘Yes, you know, the movie. Driving off the edge.’

‘Why did they do that?’

‘To evade capture. To be free. Don’t tell me you’ve never seen it.’

‘I didn’t really go to the cinema.’

‘Good God, Abby, it’s ancient. It came out in the nineties.’

‘I never had cable either.’

‘It would be on normal TV. Please tell me you watched TV.’

Abby was indignant. ‘Of course I did! I’m not a freak. Just not that often. Too tired or at work. Must have missed our friends Thelma and Louise. Were they sisters?’

Ellie smiled to herself. ‘Might as well have been.’

‘OK, Louise,’ said Abby. ‘I’m not going to drive off that cliff.’

‘I think you’re probably Louise,’ said Ellie. ‘The level-headed one. The one who was strong, who led all the time. The achiever.’

‘You’ve achieved,’ said Abby.

Ellie let out a small laugh.

‘Of course you have. You’ve lived your life to the full. Travelled, had experiences I’ve deliberately deprived myself of.’

‘But you had the high-flying career.’

‘Not the life, though. You may have had a stunted childhood being wrapped up in cotton wool but you sure made up for it.’

Ellie pondered, eyes lighting up as this new revelation sank in. Maybe she had.

‘Who are you calling stunted?’

Abby smiled.

‘Looks like we’ve reached the end of the road,’ said Ellie.

‘Yes.’

‘We’ve come a long way.’

‘We have,’ agreed Abby.

‘Seems a long time ago we were swimming in the sea at your place.’ Ellie thought back to the house they had left, the simple life Abby had carved out for herself. There would be no going back. ‘I’m sorry I messed up your retirement.’

Abby was quiet for a moment. Then suddenly her face broke into a huge smile. ‘Are you kidding? These last three days. They’ve been the best of my life.’

‘Seriously?’

‘I was too young for retirement anyway.’ Abby nodded towards the cliffs. ‘You want to get out?’

‘Sure.’ Ellie opened the door and the wind immediately caught it. A chilly blast filled the car. ‘It’s cold out here,’ she said.

‘Take my jacket if you want,’ said Abby as she got out of the car.

Ellie leaned over and grabbed it. As she stepped onto the cliff, she pulled it on.

She walked as near to the edge as she dared. Then she leaned into the wind and felt the physical freedom of the seabirds as they soared. She didn’t see Abby step behind her, lift her hands.

‘Look at that,’ said Ellie in awe, as she saw a gull swoop through the air. She turned then, saw Abby’s hands just behind her shoulders, at exactly the right position to push her off the edge. She wouldn’t stand a chance; the shock and the loss of balance would make her stumble right over.

‘Abs . . .?’ Ellie said in a scared voice.

Abby’s face broke into a grin. ‘That’s my third.’

‘What?’

‘Idea. From when I was little. I was going to push you off a cliff.’

‘Oh my God.’

‘Not now, obviously.’ Abby lowered her palms.

‘Are there any more?’ asked Ellie. ‘Only, if we could get them out of the way now, that would save me having any more heart attacks.’

‘You’ll have to wait and see.’

‘Oh, come on.’

‘No.’ Abby smiled and turned away.

‘There’s something I need to tell you,’ said Ellie.

‘Sounds serious.’

‘Kind of . . .’ Ellie took a deep breath. ‘It’s about Mum . . .’

‘What about her?’

How did she explain? Abby was looking at her expectantly but then they heard the sound of