Breakfast at Sadie's

by Lee Weatherly

  ‘Oh, thank you, Sadie,’ she moaned, and I stiffened. Don't look at Vampira, don't check to see if she's heard!

  ‘Could we just have a bit more coffee?’ asked Kathy.

  Casual, act casual. I lowered my voice. ‘Yes, sure.’ I went to the sideboard, trying to keep my face turned away from Vampira without looking like I had a crick in my neck.

  ‘Ohh, my head feels like it's gone swimming,’ said Kathy as I poured the coffee.

  ‘Well, um – enjoy your breakfast.’ I couldn't stop myself; I glanced over at Vampira again. She was leaning on her hand, talking to the woman next to her.

  Just as I was about to slip out the door, a voice said, ‘Wait just a moment, please.’

  Food for Thought

  I stiffened as though a bullet had whistled past my ear. I hadn't even noticed Mrs Dumont, but there she was, sitting in the corner and looking like she had just swallowed a peppercorn. ‘I'd like to register a complaint about the noise last night,’ she announced.

  ‘The noise?’ I glanced over my shoulder, and then back at her, swallowing.

  ‘Yes, the noise. We were awakened in the middle of the night by singing and shouting, and it didn't die down until almost four a.m.!’

  ‘Would you – would you like to talk about it out in the hallway?’ I stammered.

  She slapped her serviette beside her half-empty plate. ‘No, I'd like to talk about it right here! My husband is still ill, and it's outrageous that we should have been subjected to—’

  ‘Excuse me.’ Suddenly Kathy leaned over towards Mrs Dumont's table. ‘I think we're the culprits, and I'm really sorry. Linda here is getting married next week, you see, and—’

  Mrs Dumont's eyes snapped. ‘Well, that's really no excuse!’ She whipped her attention back onto me. ‘Now, you tell your aunt that I certainly won't expect to be charged for last night, and I think some sort of recompense on top of that would be appropriate . . .’

  She went on and on. I just stood there taking it, completely frozen in place, thanking God that my back was to Vampira. Praying that she wouldn't recognize me from my hair.

  And then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw her. She had a hand still pressed to her forehead, and was heading for the door, staggering slightly. It opened and closed. She was gone.

  ‘Poor Sam, she's not doing well this morning,’ someone laughed behind me.

  My knees went limp. Mrs Dumont was still raging on, saying, ‘And I'll of course be taking this up with the Tourist Board, and—’

  ‘You know,’ broke in Kathy, ‘I think it's great the way you waited for Sadie to turn up before you made your complaint. I mean, you could have bothered that other, adult woman with it, and it's so considerate of you that you didn't.’ Her eyes glinted.

  Mrs Dumont's mouth snapped shut like Kathy had jerked a string. ‘I—’

  ‘Just food for thought,’ said Kathy sweetly.

  Career Opportunities

  Breakfast was a doddle after that. I served the rest of the hen party, and then the Brochus, who came into the dining room just after Vampira left. Mrs Dumont was nowhere to be seen; she had made herself scarce after Kathy had shut her up. With any luck, she'd stay that way until she left.

  Finally everyone had eaten, and Mrs Marcus and I did the dishes.

  ‘Well!’ Her face was flushed as she smiled at me. ‘That was quite an experience . . . I don't think being a bed and breakfast proprietor is in my future, somehow.’ She folded up the dish towel, draping it neatly over the counter. (So she obviously could do housework; she just didn't do it in her own house.)

  ‘ You seem to have an aptitude for it, though,’ she went on. ‘You might have even found a career for yourself. You certainly seem to enjoy it.’

  I stared at her. Enjoy it? Was she mad?

  Mrs Marcus picked up her keys. ‘Right, well, I'm leaving now, if your aunt doesn't need anything else. Will she be OK by tomorrow, do you think?’

  I nodded vehemently. ‘It's probably just a twenty-four-hour thing. Thank you so much for helping.’ She wasn't so bad, once she loosened up a bit. If you took her away from all those dusty books, she might even become human.

  After she left, I changed into a pair of jeans. I thought I'd go to the beach for a while, and then into town to do the shopping – that would give Vampira lots and lots of time to leave. I grabbed my wallet, and started out the back door.

  ‘Sadie?’ called a voice from the front of the house.

  I hesitated, my hand on the doorknob. Finally I turned and went back through our flat, slipping quietly through the lounge so that I wouldn't disturb the Brochus if they were still in their room.

  Kathy stood in the front hallway, wearing a pair of sunglasses. ‘I just wanted to say goodbye,’ she said. ‘Thanks for taking such good care of us while we were here.’

  I blushed. ‘Oh, that's OK . . . I'm sorry about Mrs Dumont.’

  Kathy held up her hands, laughing. ‘No, we're sorry! Listen, don't worry about paying us back for the extra room; you can use that to give to Miss Hoity-Toity.’ She glanced upstairs. ‘By the way, I think Sam's gone back to sleep up there. Is it OK if she has a little nap? She's a bit worse for wear this morning.’

  ‘Um – sure, that's OK.’ God – Vampira with a hangover, camped out in my house! I'd spend a long time at the beach, then, and not come near Grace's again until her car was gone.

  We walked to the front door together. It was a gorgeous blue day, with the boats in the bay looking like they were on fire from the sun. Kathy gave me a hug. ‘Right, take care, Sadie . . . it's been nice meeting you.’

  Warmth rushed through me. She was so nice! How could she be friends with Vampira?

  ‘You, too.’ I hugged her back – and then I stiffened as if a viper had just slithered down my back. A green car was pulling up in our drive, and the driver was a woman with short, iron-grey hair.

  No. No. Oh, my God.

  It was Tricia.

  The Wrong Direction

  I stood frozen as Kathy opened the driver's door to her car and got in. With a friendly wave, she started up the engine and pulled off, her tyres rumbling over the gravel. No, please don't go! Quick, chase after her, hang onto the door until she stops and lets you in—

  ‘Hello, Sadie.’ Tricia was getting out of her car.

  I swallowed against a dry throat. ‘Hi.’

  Her sandals crunched as she walked up the hill. ‘Listen, I hope you don't mind my dropping by, but I saw Celia again yesterday, and she's really very worried about Leona . . . so I thought I'd just pop by and say hello to her, and then I can report back to Celia that everything's OK.’

  ‘Oh, you've just missed her! That was her who just drove off.’ My hands were trembling, but my voice came out totally natural. Sort of a mix of, Oh, isn't this funny and Damn, I'm really sorry about that.

  Tricia stood in the sunshine a few paces away, watching me. ‘That's a shame. Will she be gone for long?’

  I gripped the edge of the door, longing to slam it shut and throw all the locks on. ‘All day, I think. She had to go to Dartmouth for a— a dentist's appointment.’

  Tricia peered up the road. ‘She was going in the wrong direction, then.’

  I swallowed. ‘Oh – I think she was going by the shops first.’

  Tricia let out a breath. ‘Sadie, you saw me drive up, and you must have known why I was here. Why didn't you tell Leona to wait for a few minutes?’

  My face was scorching, sizzling. ‘I think she's already late—’

  ‘Then why is she going by the shops?’

  Thud. Dead pause.

  Tricia climbed the steps until she was standing right in front of me. Inanely, I noticed that she stood a few inches taller than me, with strong, swimmer's shoulders. Her voice was gentle as she said, ‘Sadie, I'm here to help. If anything's wrong, you can tell me.’

  Yes, right, and what will happen if I do? My voice shook. ‘Look, I don't know why she was heading in the wrong direction, but that was
my Aunt Leona. OK? Do you want, like, a signed statement or something?’

  Her blue eyes met mine steadily. ‘No, but I'd like to see someone who vaguely matches the description that your mother gave me.’

  ‘She's – she's had a haircut—’

  ‘ Sadie. Stop it!’ She gripped my shoulders and gave me a little shake, her eyes piercing into mine. ‘Now, please tell me what is wrong! Is your aunt staying here with you?’

  ‘Yes!’

  ‘May I see her, then?’

  ‘No – she's gone to Dartmouth, I told you.’

  ‘Sadie, you're a bright girl – you must understand how important it is that I find out what's going on! Your mum is extremely worried. Now, for the last time, is your aunt here or not?’

  ‘I've been wondering about that, too,’ said a voice behind us.

  I spun round, shaking. Vampira stood in the hallway with her bag over her shoulder, looking even paler than usual. I couldn't tell if it was the hangover, or what she had overheard.

  She looked at Tricia, and managed a smile. ‘I'm Sam Bodley, Sadie's Form Head . . . and I feel extremely stupid, but I stayed here with a party last night and didn't know it was Sadie's house. We've been worried about her at school for weeks now—’

  Tricia nudged me aside in the doorway, coming in without even asking me. ‘I'm Tricia McNair,’ she said to Vampira, offering her hand. ‘I'm a GBS volunteer who's been working with Sadie's mum at the hospital. Sadie's Aunt Leona hasn't been to the hospital to see her in over two weeks, and Celia is getting frantic that something is wrong.’

  They both turned to look at me. ‘Everything's fine!’ I cried. ‘She's just out, that's all. There's really no big deal.’

  Vampira and Tricia glanced at each other. ‘Sadie, why don't we sit down for a bit and have a chat?’ said Vampira finally.

  That's Her Now

  They took over the lounge, sitting me down on the sofa and flanking me on either side like the Gestapo. I glanced at the door to Mum's room, praying that the Brochus were gone for the day.

  ‘Now, Sadie, is your aunt actually here?’ asked Vampira.

  ‘No, she's gone to Dartmouth.’ I bit a nail. It felt like my vital organs had turned to icy slush.

  Her dark eyes flashed at me. ‘I mean, has she been here? Since your mum went into hospital.’

  ‘Of course! You don't think she'd just go off and leave me, do you?’ I forced a laugh. Neither of them smiled.

  ‘Why hasn't she been to see Celia, then?’ demanded Tricia. Her lined face looked very tanned against her grey hair.

  ‘She's – just been angry. She wanted to go on holiday, you see, and then when Mum got ill she had to stay here. But she rang Mum at the hospital, I know she rang—’

  Tricia's wide mouth twisted to one side. ‘Yes, once I mentioned coming here, there was a phone message left. From someone claiming to be Leona.’

  ‘It was my Aunt Leona!’

  ‘That's interesting,’ said Vampira dryly, drumming her red nails on the faded arm of the sofa. ‘We've had a lot of phone calls from Leona at school, too. And from what I hear, Sadie's a dab hand at doing voices.’

  My face burst into flames. How did she know that? ‘That wasn't me! My aunt really did ring!’

  Vampira shook her head, watching me. ‘And what about that note that mysteriously appeared in Reception yesterday, saying you were in Scotland? You're never claiming your aunt wrote that!’

  My pulse thudded in my ears. ‘I— I only did it because Aunt Leona said she wasn't going to go to the meeting, and I didn't want her to get in trouble—’

  ‘ Sadie.’ Tricia scraped her fingers through her hair. ‘You're not telling us the truth, are you? We're trying to help, but you have to be honest with us!’

  I spun towards her on the sofa. ‘I am! Aunt Leona just doesn't like running the B&B, that's all, so I've had to help her out – doing breakfasts, and making up the rooms and that. She's here, she just needs lots of help.’

  Vampira gave me a narrow look. ‘And that's why you've been late to school so often?’

  ‘Yes! It's no big deal – I mean, I'm sorry I was late, but I had to help out, that's all—’

  ‘But why hasn't Leona been to see Celia?’ Tricia broke in. ‘She must know how worried Celia would be – if she's here at all, there's no excuse for it.’

  ‘Well, that's not my fault! She's always like that!’ My voice sounded shrill, close to tears.

  Tricia shook her head. ‘No one's saying it's your fault, Sadie. But where is she?’

  ‘I've told you! She's just gone for the day, but she'll be back—’

  Vampira's lips pressed together. ‘Sadie, I'm sorry, but I really don't believe you. Now—’

  Suddenly, the front door slammed. ‘Sadie!’ called a voice.

  I jerked upright as Vampira and Tricia looked at each other. And relief flooded through me. It felt like crawling through the scorching desert for a month, and then diving into a deep, endless pool.

  ‘Sadie, are you here?’ called the voice again.

  I let out a breath, and smiled weakly at Tricia. ‘In fact, that's . . . that's her now.’

  Do Pardon Us

  I went out into the front hallway, with Vampira and Tricia right behind me. Aunt Leona was just dragging her bags in. ‘Oh, Sadie, I'm so glad to see you!’ She scooped me up into a hug, her long hair tickling my neck. ‘It's been such a nightmare, but I finally managed to switch the—’

  ‘Aunt Leona, this is Tricia, the GBS volunteer who's been helping out with Mum,’ I interrupted loudly. ‘And Va— Miss Bodley, my form head.’

  Aunt Leona's thin arms fell away from me. Her tanned cheeks reddened. ‘Oh! I— um, nice to meet you.’

  She leaned across her bags and held her hand out to Tricia, who paused a moment before shaking it. ‘You're Leona?’

  ‘Yes, that's me.’ Aunt Leona smiled nervously.

  ‘Leona, we've been very concerned about Sadie.’ Vampira was leaning against the doorpost of our flat, arms crossed over her chest. ‘Have you been staying here with her for the last two weeks?’

  Aunt Leona looked quickly at me. ‘Yes, of course. I mean, God, I wouldn't leave her on her own.’

  ‘Why haven't you been to see Celia, then?’ demanded Tricia.

  Aunt Leona's face was phone-box red. ‘I was – just being stupid. I'll go this afternoon, and apologize to her.’

  ‘And what about the meeting at school you were supposed to attend?’ Vampira's eyes were narrowed into slits, the look I knew so well.

  ‘I told you, she just didn't want to go to it,’ I jumped in.

  Vampira slid me a glance. ‘I'd actually like to hear what Leona has to say.’

  Aunt Leona licked her lips. ‘I— well, I didn't want to go, like Sadie said. I'm sure she explained it all to you. I've just been really busy here, that's all.’

  ‘You're carrying suitcases, though,’ pointed out Tricia dryly.

  My ribs tightened in my chest. ‘Because she had to go back to London to pick up some clothes!’ I blurted out. ‘But she was only gone overnight, and there was a neighbour here to cook the breakfasts this morning. Right, Aunt Leona?’

  ‘That's right.’ Aunt Leona grabbed at a strand of hair, twisting it. ‘I— I didn't know I'd have to stay here all summer when Celia took ill, you see, so I needed some of my things. I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't have left Sadie on her own last night. I'll be right here for the rest of the summer.’

  Tricia and Vampira looked at each other.

  The seconds ticked slowly by, and my knees went weak as I realized that we had got away with it. We had actually done it. Because even though I could tell from their faces that they didn't believe us, they couldn't prove anything. Tricia would have to leave now and report to Mum that Leona was here and all was well, and Vampira would slink back to her crypt, or wherever it was she lived.

  Finally Tricia let out a short breath, shaking her silvery head. ‘Well, it was very irresponsible of you, Leon
a, even if it was just for the one night—’

  She broke off as the door to our flat creaked behind us. Everyone turned as Mr and Mrs Brochu came out into the hallway.

  ‘Oh – do pardon us,’ said Mrs Brochu, blinking. ‘We're just going out for the day.’

  Complete silence fell over us as they made their way to the front door, smiling tentatively, like they hoped maybe it would help to ward off all these loonies. ‘I'm afraid we don't seem to have a key for the room,’ said Mr Brochu to me.

  My neck caught fire. ‘No, I'm sorry . . . there isn't one.’

  ‘Our things will be all right, though?’ Mrs Brochu clutched her handbag, peering at me.

  I nodded. I could feel everyone staring at me.

  The Brochus left, walking up the road arm in arm like a pair of white-haired dolls. Everyone turned to look at me. Finally Vampira said, ‘Sadie . . . how many bedrooms are in the flat?’

  ‘Just – just two. But—’

  ‘You rented out Celia's room?’ Aunt Leona looked stricken.

  I spun on her. ‘I had to! But it was just for one night – I mean, I knew you were gone for only one night, so—’

  ‘But they don't seem to be leaving just yet, do they?’ Vampira crossed her arms over her chest. ‘Shall I go after them and ask how long they're staying here for?’

  ‘No!’ Tears choked my voice. ‘No, please – it's not what you think—’

  Tricia turned to Aunt Leona, her voice steely. ‘Well now, Leona. It's obvious that you've been gone for a while, isn't it? And that Sadie wasn't expecting you back today. So do you want to tell us where you've been?’

  Aunt Leona's face was sickly pale under her tan. Her lips trembled. ‘The – the Canaries,’ she whispered.

  Tricia's mouth fell open. ‘The Canaries?’

  ‘Yes, but it was a mistake! I didn't mean to, I—’

  ‘Wait a minute.’ broke in Vampira. ‘If you've been gone, then who—’ She looked at me. ‘Sadie, who's been running the B & B?’

  ‘Me,’ I mumbled.

  Her eyes widened. She and Tricia stared at me, not saying anything.