The Apartment - K. L. Slater Page 0,9

apartment is already open. Please do pop down when you get a few minutes, as the residents who are home today are very keen to meet you.’

The apartment door opens behind him, and an older woman steps into the hallway.

She is heavily made-up and very elegantly dressed in well-cut black wool slacks and a simple charcoal-grey cashmere sweater. A discreet string of pearls adorns her neck.

I can’t stop staring at her striking white hair; almost pure white and mainly short, it is swept back from her forehead in an astonishingly high quiff that seems to defy gravity.

‘Ahh, I see the lovely Audrey has popped out to say hello.’ Dr Marsden steps back as the woman glides over to us in her black patent pumps and extends a pale, liver-spotted hand.

‘Audrey Marsden, delighted to meet you,’ she says in a deep, cultured voice. I shake her hand, entranced by her powdered face and scarlet lips. When her misty grey eyes settle on mine, I get the strangest feeling; as if she’s looking into me, rather than at me.

I clear my throat and smile. ‘Hello, Audrey. I’m Freya and this is my daughter, Skye.’

‘Welcome to Adder House, Freya.’ She looks down on Skye. ‘And to you too, little one.’

I feel Skye squeeze closer into my side.

‘Michael has told me so much about you both. I do hope you’ll pop down for tea, once you’re settled in?’

‘Thank you,’ I say. ‘We will.’

‘We’ll leave you to it, then.’ Dr Marsden smiles and the two of them disappear back into their apartment as I attempt to peel Skye from my side.

‘Why are you being silly? This isn’t like you, munchkin.’

‘I don’t like that lady,’ Skye whispers. ‘She’s got funny eyes.’

‘Got to admit, there’s definitely a touch of the Addams Family about her.’ Viv sniggers.

‘She could have three eyes for all I care, if she asked me to come live here,’ Brenna quips, looking around the elaborate entrance hall open-mouthed.

I throw Viv a warning glance, uncomfortable in case we’re still in the Marsdens’ earshot.

I pop out to give the removals team instructions on where to bring the stuff and pretend not to notice the frowns when they look up to the top floor and register how backbreaking the job will be.

Back inside, I try and chivvy the others along. ‘Come on then, let’s go upstairs. Skye, get ready to move into your new bedroom.’

She gives me a little sad smile, and I know she’s thinking about the old bedroom she’s left behind. It was nothing special; quite small, painted pink with lots of stickers on the walls and a second-hand bunk bed that a school mum was selling. Skye begged us to buy it so Petra didn’t have to sleep on a camp bed when she stayed over.

Despite that, I know Skye will miss her old room and the fun times she’s had playing in there.

When we reach the third floor, everyone, apart from Skye, is out of breath. ‘Holy moly, you’ll either get fit living here or die trying.’ Brenna pauses before attempting the last few steps.

‘I’m definitely going to get fit. All part of my dynamic new-start master plan,’ I say triumphantly. I push open the door to our apartment and gesture for everyone to enter before me.

I smile as I hear the impressed exclamations from Brenna and Viv, and when I hear Skye squeal in excitement, I know she’s found her bedroom again. Her sudden happiness is like music to my ears.

I close the door and walk into our home, seeing the space anew again.

‘Mummy! I found the confetti tree!’

I walk over to the window where Skye is standing. The tree is even more vividly pink than ten days ago when we were last here.

My daughter’s face is glowing, her features alive with excitement, and I feel so thankful and relieved she likes it. Once she’s settled in, I’m sure she’ll be equally excited to start at the local school here. I’ll broach the subject as soon as I feel she’s ready.

‘I think we’re going to be very happy here, sweetie.’ I pull her close and bury my face in her hair, which still smells of apple shampoo from last night’s bath.

I can’t hold on to her for long. She soon pulls away, full of plans for her new bedroom.

‘I’d like my bed against this wall and my toy box under the window, please. Did you bring my rug? It’s going to go just here.’ She points to the middle of the small