Authors: Jane Shemilt

The Drowning Lesson (27 page)

âYeah. I think he was around in the theatre sometimes.' She glanced down. âYou know, at the back.'

âAt the back?' Again, barely inquisitive.

âYeah. Where people waited. Maybe.' She looked up and there was reluctance in her dark eyes. âI didn't really see.'

âWhat did he look like?' I asked quickly.

âDon't know.' Nikita didn't look at me. There was a pause. âMaybe dark hair?'

She moved nearer Shan on the sofa and closed her eyes. I didn't think she would tell us anything else, but Ted was asking another question.

âAnd tonight? What did she say to you about tonight?' There was silence. Nikita was completely still. Then Shan stood up. âShe's tired now.' Her voice was firm. âShe needs to go back to bed.'

âTell us, Nikita, please.' I touched her on the arm lightly, carefully. âPlease, please tell us what she said.'

She looked back at me then, her brown eyes wide with surprise. Her best friend's mother was a busy figure in the distance: cheerful, running in and running out. In charge of her life and her family. She didn't plead.

âShe said' â Nikita paused for a fraction â âshe said, “Wish me luck.' ”