Page 34 - My Home on the Earth

Her suitcase had lost a wheel so she had to carry it to the front entrance. Glancing at a panel of buttons on the wall she pressed number twelve and waited. Her sister’s voice rang out: ‘I’ll be down in a minute; push the door.’
Inside the foyer, Marissa stared in awe at the soft carpet, comfortable armchairs and drapes. When the lift doors slid open, Louisa stepped out to greet her sister. At first glance, she was shorter and slimmer than she remembered.
‘Did you have a good journey? Here, let me help you. I took the liberty of booking the guest room for you and have paid for one night. I don’t have anywhere for you to sleep in the apartment at the moment. It’s through here.’ Louisa was shocked by her sister’s appearance as she led the way along a corridor. Inside the room, Marissa sat on the bed. ‘I know what you’re thinking. I look bedraggled and shabby. So different to when I lived in Nestonbrook.’
‘Not at all,’ smiled Louisa. ‘I’ve been thinking. It was wrong of me to cast you aside. It’s just ... I didn’t expect to inherit our mum’s jewellery, but after you ranted and raved at me on the telephone after the funeral, I gave up and thought it better to be on my own.’
‘Well, like you said in your letter, it’s all in the past,’ replied Marissa with no trace of a smile.
‘Yes, it is. Let me show you the wet room,’ said Louisa. ‘Do other people stay in your guest room?’
‘Mine! Good grief, no. This room is available for every
resident’s use for when family visit. If I had a two-
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