Page 32 - My Home on the Earth

committees and belonged to local societies. When more and more begging letters arrived in the charity envelopes, Louisa tossed them into the bin in frustration.
Three months after the first letter, Louisa wrote to say she was sorry to hear of her circumstances but couldn’t give her any money. However, she was willing to forget about the past and invite her to Rauston Quay for a couple of days. Marissa eagerly accepted because she had little choice. Her landlord had asked them to leave when he discovered John smoking again on one of the balconies. Later, they packed their meagre belongings into three suitcases and left, dragging them to a nearby cheap guest house.
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The train jolted and brought Marissa back to reality. It began to slow down and passengers were already gathering their belongings when she realised she had arrived in Rauston Quay.
Following the crowds, she headed for the exit. In her pocket, she had a small map and written instructions of how to get to her sister’s apartment building in Bay Park Road. Outside the station, shuttle buses moved back and forth as she searched for the number seventeen. It had pulled up about twelve metres away, so dragging her heavy suitcase she struggled along the crowded pavement, avoiding passers-by who wouldn’t give way. Suddenly, a strong hand grabbed the handle and she turned around in blind panic.
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