told her not to try and fight him. She didn’t want to risk being separated from the twins again. Instead she knew that she should wait. That he wouldn’t hurt her.
The second man, though? Moustache. She wasn’t so sure.
Doc stood and brushed grey dust from his knees and this small act gave her hope. If he cared about dirt he wouldn’t leave them here in this grimy room. The sun barely filtered through the thick bars at the window. Sour air clogged her nostrils, making her mouth taste of wee. But he did leave, trailed by Moustache. As Moustache strode towards the door he scratched the back of his neck. His balaclava rose and Carly saw the tattoo of an eye. She shuddered. Even when he wasn’t facing her, he was still watching her.
She was left here for the second time that day but this time the door slammed shut although the men were still there, outside the room. Carly could hear their voices, one loud and angry, the other speaking more slowly and calmly.
Terrified, her eyes scanned the room. There were no other exits. No other way out.
They had to get out.
Carly tore off the tape that covered her mouth and before tackling the binding around her own ankles she reached across to her sisters.
‘I’m going to untie you both,’ she whispered, eyes darting fearfully to the door. On the back of the wood someone had sprayed a clown’s face, a shock of orange hair and a bright red nose, his mouth stretched into a macabre grin. She gently eased the tape from Marie’s mouth, millimetre by millimetre, not wanting to pull at her skin.
‘Now for your blindfold. Leah, I’ll get to you in a minute. Marie, are you okay? Say something,’ she whispered but Marie’s lips remained clamped together, too scared to make a noise.
Once she had uncovered Marie’s eyes, Carly could see they were glazed with shock. ‘It’s okay. We’ll be home soon.’ Carly started on the ropes tying Marie’s hands but her shaking fingers couldn’t unpick them.
‘Shit.’ She leaned forward and tried to work the knots free with her mouth. The rope was bitter and strands of thread stuck to her tongue. She was only making it worse. Frustrated, she began to try and rip the rope apart, grunting with the effort, until finally it began to give.
‘Quick. Pull your hands free.’
Marie shook her head fearfully.
‘Marie. Quick.’ Carly was as careful as she could be but had to yank the rope over Marie’s hands to free her, wincing as she saw the red welts left in its wake. Carly turned her attention to Leah. ‘Shh.’ Carly removed the tape covering her mouth. ‘It’s okay. I promise.’
Soon they were all untied.
Free, but not.
There was one last angry shout from the corridor outside and then the sound of bolts sliding closed.
One.
Two.
Three.
Three bolts for three sisters.
It was then the screaming started.
Chapter Eight
Leah
Now
While I’m fetching my coat from Marie’s kitchen I collect Carly’s denim jacket. I know she won’t stay here without me. There are often awkward silences when we’re all together nowadays and those silences can be deafening.
‘Sorry to rush off,’ I say to Marie. ‘And sorry about the TV thing. If you need some money?’
It’s a genuine offer although I’ve no idea what I’ll do if she takes me up on it. Each month end we’re practically stuffing our hands down the back of the sofa, fishing out a few meagre coins along with Archie’s Lego bricks and sweet wrappers, so we can afford milk. George’s architectural practice is floundering. My part-time job doesn’t pay much, it’s more for my mental health, to get me out of the house. It gives me the semblance of being able to function normally among other adults. I’m reluctant to increase my hours because I don’t want somebody else picking Archie up from nursery every day, even if it is Carly. I think being a mother is the most important job of all but I do feel I should be doing more to help financially. When Archie starts school next year I’ll be able to work nine to three every day, which will take the pressure off George.
‘Thanks but I’ll be okay. The theatres will be scheduling their next quarter shows after Christmas and I’m sure something will turn up. I won’t starve.’
‘In the meantime, get that new man of yours to take you out to dinner.’ Carly gives a hollow laugh. She doesn’t offer to lend Marie any money. One too