where they went, but they were there. I was not imagining it.
If there’s some kind of hidden infestation in the house and the flies are coming through vents or pipes, it will only be a matter of time before they turn up in someone else’s apartment and then I’ll be vindicated.
I tidy our shoes near the door and think about the camera that was installed there. I’ve told Brenna to text me when she arrives so I can pop downstairs to let her in.
Strangely, I’ve only just noticed there’s no door intercom system here like most apartment buildings, where each tenant has the ability to buzz someone inside from the front door. I need to ask Dr Marsden what the process is for my visitors, too.
Just before seven, I’m in the bathroom and I hear a sharp rap on the door. Skye gets there before me and I hear voices in the hallway, including a man’s voice.
I wash my hands quickly and when I come out of the bathroom, Skye has taken Brenna into the lounge and our front door is closed again.
I hug and kiss Brenna. ‘I’m so pleased to see you,’ I squeal, and I really am. In fact, ridiculously, I feel like I might burst into tears. ‘Did I hear a man’s voice out there?’
‘Yeah, the creepy doctor let me in.’ Brenna pulls a face and Skye giggles.
‘Bren!’ I look meaningfully at Skye and back at her. ‘We don’t want anything repeated!’
‘Sorry.’ She grins. ‘I forgot I was supposed to text you, so I just knocked because there’s no buzzer, and he suddenly appeared there, just like Count Dracula.’
Skye snorted. ‘You mean Count Duckula, Aunt Bren, like the cartoon.’
‘Yeah, that’s what I meant, Skye. He appeared at the door like Count Duckula.’
‘Bren!’
‘Sorry! Anyway, Skye mentioned there was a problem with flies in her bedroom. Sounds nasty.’
The image of a swarm of buzzing black bodies fills my head for a second, like they’re all still there inside my skull. I shudder.
‘It’s . . . been sorted now,’ I say hesitantly.
‘Skye said you thought there were millions of them, apparently.’ She grins. ‘But then when the doc came up, they’d all gone.’
She’s looking at me with 1 per cent pity and 99 per cent amusement. I know exactly what she’s thinking.
‘They must’ve found a way to get outside again,’ I say. ‘It’s the only explanation.’
‘That’s strange because Skye said the windows were all closed when she got up here.’
I put my hands on my hips and shake my head at Skye, smiling. She’s managed to tell Brenna every single gory detail and she was only alone with her a couple of minutes! ‘Hmm, well let’s just drop the whole nasty subject. Sauvignon blanc OK for you?’
‘Lovely.’
Skye picks up her colouring book and Brenna follows me into the kitchen.
‘I take it you’d rather not talk about it?’ She leans against the counter, watching me.
‘I don’t want Skye getting worried, that’s all.’ I sigh. ‘I admit I did get a panic on. There’s been a lot of change in her life lately, we can do without more trouble.’
‘That’s my concern, too,’ she says lightly.
I take out two glasses and put them on the worktop. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, I’d hate to think of Skye getting worried because you’re stressed out and imagining stuff is happening.’ She keeps her tone light but the words still sting. ‘I just mean that you’ve had a lot on, too, Freya. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and start to—’
‘I did not imagine those flies, Bren.’ I enunciate every word.
‘Maybe. But Skye said you moved the furniture and then forgot you did it?’
‘I didn’t! I didn’t move the furniture; Skye must’ve done it. Look. I’m not going into all this with you, it’s not important in the scheme of things.’ I had wanted to discuss my worries with Brenna, but her continued assumption that I’m imagining stuff is starting to annoy me. I’m now in two minds whether to speak to her about what else is bothering me.
When I walk past her to get the wine out of the fridge, she lays a hand on my arm and speaks in a soft voice. Her psychologist’s voice, as Viv laughingly calls it.
‘If things are getting on top of you again, then you need to tell someone. There’s nothing to be ashamed of, but we have to make sure you get the help you need like you did before.’
I might have known she’d bring that up. I’ve suffered quite