Anne Cushnie

Naoko blinked twice, once for a disturbing memory to pass, once for a new one to emerge. The sound of the wind had travelled through the climbing wisteria on the external walls of the bedroom and found its way inside, whistling through the opened windows. She’d been standing in the corner of the room long enough to witness beams of sunlight streaming onto the line of books arranged on the wall shelf, before creeping across the tiny gaps of the slatted wooden floor.

There was a soft rustling of the sheets; Naoko approached the bed.

‘Alys? Where could you possibly be, darling?’

The light, quilted duvet morphed into billowing clouds as the little girl emerged from beneath the covers, a few strands of her soft, wavy brown hair glued to her face. ‘I’m here, Nao!’

‘Ah! You won again.’ Naoko said, eyes sparkled with mischief. She climbed into Alys’ bed and hugged her tight enough to steal some of her body’s heat. ‘I think it’s time for you to do some work now’ she said seconds later, her voice softening.

‘Okay. And then Melanie will be home, and then you can ask her what she’ll cook for us, and then you and I can have a picnic outside.’

Naoko’s smile faded, and her embrace tightened. ‘Yes, maybe. If we have time’.

Using her voice, she activated the smart paint's colour change to become opaque, sat at the edge of the bed, and gestured for Alys to sit next to her. ‘Now, I want you to work on the story we started yesterday. You remember the one?’

The child nodded.

‘I need you to create a drawing to discuss the circus we talked about. You can just focus on your favourite part, or the one you remember the most. I’ll come back to check on your progress later on. Can I count on you to do this on your desk?’

‘Yes, Nao!’ Alys exclaimed, jumping off the bed and standing tall on the floor, her rounded, petite frame revealing a hint of softness around her tummy.

Naoko arranged Alys's desk, kissed her on the forehead, and left her to work on her lesson.

She descended the stairs, her neat, square fingernails tracing the rim of the railing as she moved down. The curved walls separating Alys’ bedroom from the rest of the floor echoed the long, slender, curved lines found in the house’s overall structure, extending from the staircase to the hi-tech glass windows. Naoko moved around the home through a wide-angled, circular lens, where a sense of familiarity lingered in every corner. At the bottom of the stairs, she took a quick glance at the kitchen, visible through its open panels. The shadows cast by the appliances and pans on the floor waiting for their next use filled her with a touch of unease. This was Melanie’s territory, not a place she wanted to hang around. As she moved around the country home, she walked past Alys’s father’s office, and her eyes brightened in an instant. Ray would be home soon. Though the view was somewhat shaded at this time of day, there was just enough light inside the study to craft a soft and veiled atmosphere, signalling the day's transition into night. Naoko remembered Ray's promise that they would all do something special that evening, and she felt a surge of the same excitement that Alys experienced whenever it was playtime. She only had about forty minutes before returning to her tutorial duties; that was more than enough time to carry out her weekly cosmetic fix.

She made her way to the basement level of the house, where the sauna area was located, and stepped into the treatment room. She approached the device and selected a fifteen-minute gentle resurfacing laser session; that’d be enough to repair any sun or pollution damage on her skin. Her beauty regimen completed, she made her way upstairs. But something on her way up distracted her. An unwelcome wind rushed through the curved, floor-to-ceiling windows of the ground floor, and the sound of fluttering pages echoed through the long corridor, drawing her attention to the open library door. A pile of blank paper sheets unravelled in front of her eyes. She picked them up one by one, until she reached the unoccupied room. She had a prickly feeling that she was intruding. The lingering scent of tobacco and musk told her that many guests had accessed the room the night before. She stepped towards the disorganised pile of papers on the main desk. That’s when she noticed a message emerging from the digital screen. She stared at the light-grey letters that had just formed in the void, like fog creeping over a graveyard.

It's a secret I’ve never told before, but I’m comfortable sharing it with you now. I killed someone once. Yeah, I know. That gave me something to live for, you know? I’d do it again if I ha■

The Shift key displayed a bright warning light at the end of this partial confession. Naoko’s hand hovered over the virtual screen. She felt a small electrical charge flowing around her fingers. The keyboard reactivated, and the formed letters changed to a brighter shade. Naoko startled and clenched her hands. She stared at the screen as the realisation sunk in. She checked the document’s settings: it was last updated the day before. Her mind was racing, trying to process it all. Whoever had written this message may not have known the document was still open.

Naoko closed her eyes and tried to visualise the faces of any visitors from the day before but couldn’t picture anyone. She remembered that she went to bed early that evening and that she’d heard on a couple of occasions a chorus of laughter coming from downstairs late at night. So this odd and sinister message could, in fact, have been written by anyone.

The door shut behind her, hammered by the wind. She opened her eyes wide. The sensation of being watched crawled across her skin like invisible insects as she pushed against the heavy wood, desperate for escape. She strode down the corridor, not looking back until she reached her bedroom.

*

An hour passed. Naoko completed her work with Alys and had retreated in her bedroom. A loud knock resonated against her door. The knocking's repetitive pattern made clear the identity of the person standing behind the separating walls.

‘Mr. Piers is waiting for you. Now.’

Melanie spoke without waiting for an answer. When Naoko opened the door, she was already gone. Naoko gritted her teeth and listened stoically to the housekeeper’s heavy steps descending the staircase. Another day, another snide remark from the woman who believed she was the linchpin holding the household together.

Naoko blinked again. Twice. The memory of Ray’s mother resurfaced. She remembered that today marked her birthday—May 8th. As Melanie’s steps faded into the distance, Naoko reminisced about some of the things that were gone since the matriarch died three years ago. The comforting smell of baked crust and hot chocolate filling the air long after Renee had left the kitchen was gone, unlike the sharp, clinical scent that Melanie had just left in her trail. Naoko’seyes glistened. She blinked back the tears and pushed her shoulders back. Ray was waiting for her. There was no time for grief.

On the way to the main reception, she walked past the library and caught a glimpse of the desk, now empty of characters. Had someone else seen the message?

She felt a heavy hand square on her shoulder. Ray stepped in front of her. The angry exhaustion in his eyes reminded her of storm clouds gathering before lightning strikes. The confession about the murder resurfaced, but when his gaze locked with hers, the words dissolved on her tongue, leaving only a bitter aftertaste of secrets kept.

‘Are you ready for tonight?’ he asked.

‘The floral exhibition? Yes, of course. I look forward to it. It’s such a lovely surprise, Ray.’

‘Good! I haven’t told Alys yet. Is she ready?’

‘She’s very excited. You know how she loves surprises when they come from you.’

‘Ah … such a darling.’

As they approached the living room, Naoko casually asked, ‘Did you have any guests last night?’

‘Yeah. Some colleagues visited late. Did you hear us? We may have been a bit merry. You know, one of them was celebrating hitting the 6th floor.’

‘Hitting the 6th floor?’

‘Yes, turning sixty, Naoko. Why do you ask?’

‘I’ve just smelled a strong odour of tobacco earlier today. Obviously, none of us are smokers, so it could only be—'

‘You’re right. Some of my friends enjoy their smoke. Don’t tell Melanie; she can’t stand messiness. And to be honest, I quite like it this way.’

‘Of course, you can count on me’.

She frowned as she noticed him smiling the way someone would smile at a child.

The doorbell's chime pierced the tension. Before Naoko could react, Alys darted past, her small feet barely touching the floor. Ray lunged forward, his large hands catching Alys's tiny shoulders mid-stride. He spun her away from the door, his laughter erupting like thunder in the quiet house—too loud, too forced—as Emma's shadow darkened the doorway. Naoko watched Melanie open the door to the statuesque middle-aged woman who was Ray’s companion.

Naoko walked towards her but was stopped by Alys, who had escaped from her father’s arms and was already wrapping herself around Emma’s waist. Naoko stood as a statue, entirely focused on the picture before her. Yet another surrogate mother. Though she’s been around longer than most, Naoko knew Emma could never replace her. But she sure knew how to keep Ray interested, now that his wife had left a gaping hole in his heart. Naoko looked on as Emma walked across the living room and sat next to Ray. She reflected on the pair’s chemistry, contemplating Emma’s every movement with envy—how she readjusted her sitting position a few times, unveiling soft, shiny-looking legs, and the way her fingers ran through the strands of her hair to smooth it down like a majestic cat with excessive grooming habits. Naoko shifted a few inches closer to Emma, hoping to capture some sparkles from her trail of incandescence. Who knows, maybe Emma could teach her a few tricks.

Ray got up to get a drink, and Naoko took the chance to approach him and murmur in his ear, ‘It’s been three years since Renee’s passing. I know how much you miss her. It’s nice to do something in her memory. Today is a day to celebrate, and we must keep the tradition going, right?’

Ray touched her hand. She felt a warm sensation spreading through her body, and when she looked at him again, his eyes had turned brighter.

‘Thank you, Nao’ he added. ‘And about the little soirée, last night, don’t say a word to Melanie. She has a very low tolerance for messiness, and despite what one might think, I quite like it like that.’

‘Of course. By the way, who were your guests?’

‘Shh! No more questions.’

‘Got you.’ This wasn’t the answer she expected. Nevertheless, Naoko mirrored his smile, finding comfort in the fact that he was pleased with her and even had a certain fondness for her—she saw it in the way he looked at her and his subtle touches.

‘Ray!’ Emma whined. ‘Come back here, let’s get a drink.’

Naoko took a step back as Ray re-joined his girlfriend. She watched the duo engrossed in conversation from a distance and deduced that it was definitely more than a fling; there was genuine chemistry between those two. She focused on Emma’s seductive powers, yearning to mirror that level of assertiveness. Naoko licked her lips, eyeing the tinted balm Emma had applied, thinking it looked like the one she was using. Who wore it better, Emma or herself?

‘OK, time to go to the show,’ Ray said, cutting through Naoko’s thoughts as he addressed the family. His tone was curt, but to Naoko, his words had an attractive edge. She looked in his direction and flashed a smile.

The family visit to the floral exhibition was just a few miles away from the house. Naoko made her way out to the executive class private vehicle where the group would make the journey. She noticed the vehicle's shining exterior—in a matter of seconds, it had changed from black to a semi-reflective chrome colour. Her eyes met Charlie, the family chauffeur, who had been standing patiently next to the car for some time. She smiled at him, but in response, he only stretched his lips a little to the side, his eyes remaining cold. She felt invisible to him. She wished she could capture some of Emma’s magic dust. She remained in the same spot as the chauffeur adjusted his jacket in a way that suggested he wanted to make an impression, his eyes sweeping past her. Naoko looked around; it was Ray, flashing a wink and notifying his driver that he was ready to depart.

*

The exhibition was set in a national park of outstanding beauty, which had been partially transformed into a breathtaking design event exhibiting botanical artworks from all over the world. This was one of England’s most anticipated floral and gardening shows for the time of the year and a treat for Naoko, who was fascinated with nature. The journey to the show took about twenty minutes from the house. Upon drop-off, Naoko and the rest of the group were directed to the self-guided tour entrance. Everyone walked at a slow pace, taking in the displays and admiring the designers' creativity. Naoko wandered off to a nearby display of exotic orchids and bent her head as she marvelled at the beauty of the flowers. Soon after, she re-joined the rest of the group and gave subtle looks behind her, clocking Ray and Emma walking closely behind. Emma’s hands were tucked into her pockets, and she was leaning into the arm Ray had wrapped around her shoulder, cheeks flushed. To Naoko, it looked like one of those unused snapshots that people take on vacation. Something ordinary and safe. She tightened her grip on Alys's hand until she felt the child's pulse fluttering against her palm. As they moved forward, the wind parted around them. When Alys gasped—a sharp, bright sound that pierced the ambient murmur of the exhibition—Naoko felt the vibration of the child's excitement travel up her arm and lodge somewhere behind her ribs.

‘Look Nao!’

Naoko turned around. Alys was pointing to an extraordinary display: a vast composition inspired by the countryside. Towering above the ground were large collections of exotic red, orange, and yellow flowers, intricately designed with a curved shape that gave them a complex and feathery appearance. The flowers were naturally complemented by fine, silvery foliage, which rose above a thick and beautiful emerald grass. In the middle of this scene stood a small wooden pavilion painted in vivid cerulean, providing the perfect backdrop to this sensational showpiece.

Naoko gazed in amazement as Alys’ grip slipped away. She winced as the little girl scampered towards the front porch and, with nimble speed, pressed her delicate nose and mouth against one of the grandiose front windows, framing her visage with her petite hands.

‘Alys!’ Naoko called, with a firm tone. ‘Come back with us!’ She didn’t take her eyes off Alys until the child rejoined the group. Ray decided it was time to take her to a designated children’s activity corner.

Naoko stayed in front of the grand display, by now almost hypnotised by the scene. At first, she enjoyed the display, but a creeping sense of terror burgeoned in her chest. The pull of gravity underneath gradually enveloped her, and she came up against a chorus of inaudible whispers rising from the crowd gathered outside, panic gripping her windpipe. She became entranced, sucked into another reality unfolding in front of her eyes. The vivid colors began to bleed into one another—crimson seeping into tangerine, gold melting into emerald—while the flowers themselves writhed and stretched before her eyes. Petals unfurled with audible cracks, stems elongated with the sound of stretching rubber, all growing at impossible speed. They breached the display boundaries, reaching for her with sentient hunger. The first tendril wrapped around her ankle with the gentle pressure of a lover's fingers before others followed, climbing her body like living restraints, their perfume turning acrid and suffocating in her nostrils. The windows of the deep blue wooden pavilion swung wide open, and its billowing curtains exhaled in the open air, creating dark shadows inside the wooden-roofed structure. The flowers, now as tall as branches, were sliding through the magnetic air and whispering dangerous tales into her ears:

‘You’ll stay in this place forever… Nobody will be able to save you…’

Fear prickled over Naoko’s skin, her heart racing. She blinked repeatedly, and within seconds her limbs shook as she collapsed, grasping for support.