Gladys had called her manager to take the day off and promised to be in the next day. She was to have resumed yesterday if not for the mixed-up flight plan. Today, she had a splitting headache and couldn‘t face work. She was in the kitchen tidying up after a late lunch when she heard a knock. It was her first meal of the day, but she still ended up not being able to eat anything. Already knowing it wasn‘t Edward; she slowly went to open the door. It took her a full minute of looking at the woman standing before her before recognition came. It was Edward‘s previous foster mother.

“Good morning.” Suspicion threaded her words.

Mrs. Okrika ignored Gladys and without a reply to the greeting, marched straight into the house. Gladys was surprised but she quietly closed the door and followed her through the hallway. The older woman was standing in the middle of the living room looking around. When she removed her sunglasses and turned, there was so much open hatred and spite on her face that Gladys frowned in confusion. The woman bared her teeth in a predatory smile, moved to one of the settees and sat down with a tinkling of gold jewelry.

“Why don‘t you join me my dear?” she asked, as if she owned the place. Gladys went and sat down on the opposite armchair.