Wild Fiction

Her handbag had spilt onto the floor next to her. A tube of Clarins moisturiser lay next to a Gucci purse and a set of keys. There were three packets of Handy-Andys, all half used, a small box of white Tic-Tacs, Wet Wipes and a collection of credit card receipts. Rebecca stuffed everything, except the Handy-Andys, Wet Wipes and the keys back into Genevieve’s handbag and clipped it shut before pulling the strap over her shoulder. She pulled Genevieve’s head out of the vomit and wiped it clean. Using the Wet Wipes, she cleaned the blood off her face. She pulled the scrunchie out of her hair and held Genevieve’s hair into a ponytail while she fastened it back. Putting her arms under Genevieve’s armpits, she dragged the limp body, inch by inch, until finally she had it strapped into the passenger seat of the car. She removed the scarf from around Genevieve’s neck, went back into the warehouse, and wiped clean any surface that either of them could have touched. Out of the corner of her eye she could see the part of the author’s dead white body that was exposed but could not bring herself to look directly at it.
She put her mind in rewind mode and retraced the journey from Brixton back to Epsom.

Chapter 40

A groan came from Genevieve’s mouth as they turned into the driveway. Rebecca looked across at her. Genevieve was moving her head from side to side and had her eyes half open. Rebecca pulled the car into the garage, leapt out, and ran around to the passenger door.
‘Genevieve, can you hear me?’ she asked.
Genevieve mumbled something incoherent.
Rebecca opened the door and helped her out. She took Genevieve’s arm, pulled it over her shoulder, and helped her walk into the house.
‘Who are you?’ Genevieve finally asked after Rebecca had made her a cup of tea.
‘Just a friend, I came across you in a parking lot wandering around holding your head. You couldn’t remember your name and didn’t know where you lived.’
‘So how did we get here?’
‘Um…your address was in your handbag along with the keys to your car. I offered to drive you here. How are you feeling now? I think we should put ice on your head.’ Rebecca got up, walked over to the freezer, took out a tray ice cubes, and wrapped them up in a tea towel. She pressed the parcel of ice against the swelling on Genevieve’s head.
‘Where do I…’ Genevieve started to ask but Rebecca pressed her finger against Genevieve’s lips.