then to the outskirts of Brighton. Abi hadn’t yet told Ellen of her own plans to leave London. She supposed she’d have to let her know at some point, especially as she’d be living in the same county as her sister.
As she filled a bag with apples, Abi thought of Ellen. When they’d been girls, they’d often been mistaken for twins as Abi had been tall for her age. They’d worn their hair the same – shoulder-length blonde curls, and their clothes were the same because their aunt didn’t like shopping and just grabbed two of everything in the appropriate sizes.
But, now, Ellen Fraser wore her hair short. It was what Abi thought of as a busy mother’s haircut – a style that you could tumble out of bed with and not pay the slightest bit of attention too. It was a shame, Abi thought, because it made her sister look older somehow, less feminine, perhaps, less soft around the edges. Aunt Claire would have approved, no doubt.
One of the reasons Abi had wanted to move to Sussex was to be closer to her sister. Well, if she was being absolutely honest with herself, it was to be closer to her nieces: ten-year old Bethanne and six-year old Rosie, whom she adored. She loved her role as aunt and spending time with them was always a treat. Something which couldn’t be said for spending time with her sister, she mused.
It was a sad fact that Ellen Fraser nee Carey was one of life’s pessimists. If there was a downside to anything, she would find it, focus on it and turn it into her reality. Abi, who was an unapologetic optimist, found that being with her sister was so emotionally draining that she tried to limit their time together. Abi had been known to ring ahead to try and gauge her sister’s mood before committing to an actual visit. On several occasions, she’d also offered to take the girls out, thus leaving her sister some much-needed time to herself. Ellen always seemed delighted by this. Well, delighted in her own subdued way.
‘You’ve no idea how much I need this time,’ she’d say in her woebegone way when Abi arrived, her short hair dishevelled and a look of pure resignation to the agonies of life etched across her face.
Abi would grab the girls and sneak out as fast as they could. After all, there were only so many times you could say, ‘Oh, no,’ or ‘Oh, dear,’ or ‘Well, I’m sure things will get better soon.’
But, oh, those nieces! They were worth a quick run in with their tormented mother. How Abi adored them and she was so looking forward to them visiting Winfield. They would love it, wouldn’t they? With its many beautiful acres and easy access to the downs, there would be infinite possibilities for adventures. She’d just have to make sure Ellen didn’t follow them around, pointing out rabbit holes where ankles could be twisted and bramble bushes that might scrape a little girl’s skin.
Abi was never quite sure how Ellen’s husband put up with her. Douglas Fraser worked in training – a job which meant he spent a fair amount of time away from home. This didn’t please Ellen who often complained that she was, essentially, a single parent, bringing up their two children alone. Yet, whenever Douglas was home, Ellen would complain about that too. Perhaps he’d chosen his job very deliberately, Abi thought, knowing that it would allow him at least some respite from the constant barrage of complaints he received from his spouse.
Abi finished her shopping and walked back home along the river. The spring air was cool and she could feel strands of winter in it still. She wondered what Winfield looked like today. Would there be primroses opening in the garden? Would it be warmer or cooler up on the downs than in London?
As she reached home and put her shopping bags down, she got her phone out and called her sister.
‘Hey, it’s me,’ she said a moment later.
‘Abi. How are you?’
‘I’m good. How are you?’ she dared to ask.
‘Oh, my god! You wouldn’t believe what’s going on here. We’ve got some guy in the back garden taking a tree down. It’s been threatening to collapse for months and our neighbours have been kicking up a stink about it. But the noise, Abi!’
‘It won’t last forever.’
‘And the mess! It’s going to be left to me to tidy it all up, I know!’
‘I’m sure