The Apartment - K. L. Slater Page 0,12

about the previous tenants . . .’

They both turn to look at me in unison. Silence descends on the room and the very air seems to still, hanging thick and heavy around my ears.

It’s a ridiculous notion, I know, but it honestly feels as if the building itself is listening in, too.

7

‘Skye is delighted with her new bedroom,’ I say lightly, hoping it seems like a natural thing to bring into the conversation, but then I spoil it by stammering. ‘She said . . . well . . . she thought she overheard you saying a little girl used to live in the apartment before us?’

Dr Marsden glances at his wife and shakes his head, obviously perplexed. ‘I can’t recall that I said . . . ahh, wait a moment. I did say that any little girl would be happy to have such a pretty tree outside her window. Perhaps Skye got mixed up.’

I smile. ‘That’ll be it. Skye can make a story out of very little.’

‘The imagination of children,’ Audrey declares, ‘is a wonderful thing.’

‘And to be admired,’ Dr Marsden adds. ‘I often think there’s far too much emphasis put on grades and examinations these days, and that children aren’t allowed to use their imagination at all.’

‘Speaking of school, will Skye be attending St Benjamin Monks?’ Audrey remarks. ‘It’s our closest state primary school.’

‘Yes, in fact I’ve already spoken to the school office.’ I feel inexplicably pleased with myself that I’m able to demonstrate I’ve at least got around to doing that. ‘I have to arrange for us to visit. It’s . . . on my list.’

‘A very long list, no doubt.’ Audrey chuckles. ‘Just so you know, I’m a governor there. So if you need any help at all with the admission process, just let me know.’

‘Thank you,’ I say, genuinely touched by her kind offer. We’re interrupted by a knock at the door.

‘Come in,’ Audrey calls out.

I sit up a bit straighter and force my hands out from under my thighs. I fix a pleasant expression on my face and watch as a thin, wiry man in his late thirties with slightly wild brown hair enters the room. His eyes dart around from side to side, as if he suspects someone might try and jump out at him at any moment.

His eyes flicker in my direction, but don’t quite settle on me before he looks away again.

‘Matthew! Good to see you.’ Dr Marsden strides forward to shake the man’s hand. ‘Come and say hello to our new tenant, Freya Miller.’

I stand up, quickly wiping my clammy palms on my jeans. I feel weirdly vulnerable standing there in bare feet after shedding my shoes at the door. I hope none of them notice the chipped pink varnish on my toes.

The man advances towards me, still seemingly avoiding looking at me directly. He has allowed his hair to grow long enough for his dull curls to bounce around as he walks. When he gets closer, I see he has a full bottom lip which makes the top one seem thinner than it is.

‘Freya, this is Professor Matthew Woodings. He and his wife, Susan, live at number three.’

‘Hello.’ I grasp his floppy hand and smile, but he still won’t hold my glance. ‘I’m very pleased to meet you.’

‘Hello, Freya,’ he says mechanically. ‘Welcome to Adder House.’

‘Freya has just moved in today. With her daughter, Skye.’

‘You have a child?’ He looks at me then, an expression of confusion on his face. ‘I wasn’t aware of that.’

Why would he be? And then I realise that Dr Marsden has no doubt informed the other residents to expect a new tenant and I would have thought he’s told them a little bit about us.

‘I believe Skye is five years old, is that right, Freya?’

‘Yes, she turns six in August.’ I feel a little uncomfortable as Professor Woodings now can’t seem to look away from my face.

‘Matthew?’ Dr Marsden says gently.

‘Sorry!’ Professor Woodings shakes his head as if to dispel some kind of stupor. ‘Sorry if I’m staring. It’s lack of sleep. I was on the late shift last night.’

‘Matthew is a scientist,’ Dr Marsden explains. ‘Works for the government on various classified and mysterious projects conducted in restricted areas, not open to the public.’

Professor Woodings gives a nervous laugh. ‘You make it sound very intriguing, Michael, but I’m afraid it isn’t that exciting at all. Not really.’ He looks at me again. ‘I am a scientist and I do work for the government, but