Claire Kendal - The Second Sister

This is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed

in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons,

living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

Harper

HarperCollins Publishers

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London SE1 9GF

www.harpercollins.co.uk

First published by HarperCollins Publishers 2017

Copyright © Claire Kendal 2017

Cover design Micaela Alcaino © HarperCollins Publishers Ltd 2017

Cover image © Roberto Pastrovicchio/ Arcangel Images

Claire Kendal asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

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Ebook Edition © MAY 2017 ISBN: 9780007531707

Source ISBN: 9780007531714

Version 2019-05-22

For my Sister.

And for my Daughters.

She had no rest or peace until she set out secretly, and went forth into the wide world to trace out her brothers and set them free, let it cost what it might.

The Brothers Grimm, ‘The Seven Ravens’

Table of Contents

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Epigraph

Late November

Eyes Like Yours

Saturday, 29 October

The Two Sisters

The Costume Party

The Three Suitors

The Fight

Monday, 31 October

The Scented Garden

Trick or Treat

Friday, 4 November

Small Explosions

The Photograph

Saturday, 5 November

Bonfire Night

Pandora’s Box

Monday, 7 November

The Doll’s House

Tuesday, 8 November

The Address Book

Wednesday, 9 November

The Catalyst

Thursday, 10 November

The Woman in the Chair

The Man in the Corridor

The Letters

Friday, 11 November

The Anniversary

Saturday, 12 November

Yellow Roses

Sunday, 13 November

Hide and Seek

Monday, 14 November

Never Climb Down

The Masquerade Ball

Tuesday, 15 November

The Tour

The Door at the End

Jewels

Wednesday, 16 November

The Cuckoo in the Nest

Warning Signs

Thursday, 17 November

Guessing Games

White Lies

The Girl Who Never Cries

Truth or Dare

Sleeping Potion

Friday, 18 November

The Long Morning

The Ice Queen

The Old Friend

Dressing Up

The Builder’s Daughter

Evening Prayer

Saturday, 19 November

The Colour Red

The Man From Far Away

Tuesday, 14 February

Valentine’s Day

Keep Reading …

About the Author

Also by Claire Kendal

About the Publisher

Somebody said recently that I have eyes like yours. Not just literally. Not just because they are blue. They said that I see like you too.

When I glimpse myself in the looking glass, your face looks out at me like a once-beautiful witch who is sickening under a curse. Those jewel eyes, losing their brightness. That pale skin and long black hair. It’s only the little pit by your left brow that isn’t there.

I see you everywhere.

If I really had eyes like yours, I wouldn’t be about to ask a question that you are going to hate. I would already know the answer. But here it is. What would you do if the police wanted to talk to you? Because I need to follow where you lead.

Just forming these words makes me see what to do. The police ask their questions and I am supposed to give them the answers they are hoping to hear. I am almost sorry for them, with their innocent faith that they can capture you on an official form, kept to a page or at most a few.

We wish to seek the whole truth , they say. You are a key witness , they say. We are concerned for your welfare , they say. We need to obtain the best evidence , they say. We will deal appropriately with the information you provide , they say. You can trust us , they say. The success of any subsequent prosecution will depend on accuracy and detail , they say. Other lives may be at stake , they say.

Am I supposed to be impressed? Flattered? Grateful? Scared? Intimidated? All of the above is my guess. So I will allow them to think that they have had their desired effect, as they take their careful notes and talk their tick-box talk in the calm and reassuring style that they have obviously rehearsed.

I will read the notes over to confirm their accuracy . I will appear to cooperate . I will sign the witness statement they prepare for me. I will date it too, with their help, because I have lost track of time a little, lately. Still, these motions are easy to go through. They do not matter.

What matters is that I am quietly writing my own witness statement, my own way, day after day. Compelled not by them but by you. That is what this is, and I am pretending that you are asking the questions and I am telling it all to you. I am writing down the things you want to know. The real things.