We should do something. I went to step forward, but Poppy pushed me back. “No,” she hissed.
He pulled her hair again, making her scream and thrash around as she tried getting out of his grip. Like with Violet and without hesitation, he plunged the knife into her stomach. I gagged at the same time she screamed a deep, feral scream. Closing my eyes, I shrank back behind Poppy.
Suddenly all of the sounds were amplified—his deep, ragged breaths and her spluttering and gagging. Within seconds, her noise stopped, and after a thud to the floor, his noise was the only thing left.
He killed her.
I didn’t dare open my eyes. I was too scared of what I would see. “Clean this now.” His loud, angered voice cut through me, making me tremble. He ordered us around as if we’d done it.
Poppy leaped forward, causing me to stumble and my eyes to fly open. He ran up the stairs and slammed the cellar door. Very slowly, I looked down and almost threw up. My body shook in fear. Rose and Poppy gathered the cleaning things and got to work. I would have loved to be inside their heads when they were cleaning up a murder. They didn’t give much away on the outside. Was it easier for them because they didn’t know her?
They were a whirlwind: Rose mopped up with purpose, her lips pursed as she worked with ruthless efficiency, dodging me. Poppy was more reserved; she still looked like she was only cleaning up dirty footprints but she had slightly more emotion. She at least looked a bit sad. We didn’t even know the poor girl’s name. Did she have a family? Children? She was a person and she had a life. He just took it as if it were nothing.
I turned around slowly and walked back into the bedroom, closing the door behind me. I didn’t want to see him come back for her body or watch Rose and Poppy act as if nothing was wrong. I climbed into bed and cried into the pillow.
14
CLOVER
Friday, July 15th (2005)
“Good morning, Violet. I have some news,” I said as I walked downstairs. It was very exciting news. I didn’t like there only being two of us. The table was unbalanced. Three seats were empty.
She looked up from the worktop where she was whisking eggs. “News, Clover?”
“Yes, another surprise. You’ll find out later, perhaps in a day or so.” Violet was a bright young woman. After I brought Poppy back two days ago, although I’d not seen her since, she would know my surprise was another family member. Poppy just needed a little readjustment time; Violet was helping her settle in, and I was sure she would be right as rain soon enough. As desperately as I wanted her out here with us now, I could give her a few days. I’d waited so long for this, I could give Poppy time. “What’s for breakfast? Scrambled eggs on toast?”
“Oh, okay. Yes, scrambled eggs.”
I smiled. “One of my favorites.”
“Can you cook?”
“I can. Mother taught me.” My eyes widened and I mentally chastised myself for giving away too much. I didn’t ever want to speak of Mother in front of my new family. I wanted that part of my life separate. “How long will it be?”
“Five minutes. We’re running low on food.”
“I have the delivery coming tonight. I’ll bring it down later.”
“Thank you.”
I sat down at the table, looking at the empty seats. My fingers tapped away on the wooden surface as if they had a life of their own. I was anxious and restless. It wasn’t supposed to take so long; we should have a full family by now. As fond as I was of Violet, I couldn’t bear it to just be the two of us for much longer.
She sat down, placing our food before us. “Thank you, Violet. Can I ask you a question?”
“Yes,” she replied.
“Are you lonely?” Her eyes dropped to the table, telling me that she was. “Violet, answer me please,” I prompted. “I don’t like when you hold something back.”
“Yes. I am. I’m sorry.”
“I thought so, and please don’t apologize.” I could barely contain my excitement of bringing Rose and Lily back. Four beautiful, pure flowers. “Is Poppy not good company?”
Violet’s eyes widened, alarmed. “She is. It’s just taking a little time to settle in. I promise she’ll be fine, though.”
“Oh, I know she will. It’s natural to feel apprehensive when this is so new to her. Is she healing?”
“Yes. Her head is still sore so I let her sleep in.”
“I thought you had.” I sipped my orange juice. “What are your plans for today? I haven’t forgotten those extra books. I’ll make sure the bookshelf is full soon enough.”
“Thank you. I was planning on reading.” She poked around at her eggs. “Clover?”
“Yes?”
She bit on her lip nervously. “I used to knit, and I was wondering if you would consider getting me some needles and wool?”