Page 21 - SAMPLE Looking for Emily

The room that Lily entered was oddly shaped, long and narrow. Glancing back at the spiral staircase, she realised that it must run parallel to the alleyway outside. This was what lay behind the facade of one of the white houses. She stood still, letting her eyes adjust to the gloom, and shapes began to come into focus around her. Soft light leaked from an overhead bulb, casting long, wild shadows against the walls.
One wall was blank, covered in dark wood panelling. Stretching the length of the opposite wall was an exhibition case. In the case Lily could see an assortment of glass boxes, black frames and small drawers, each labelled with a neat white rectangle. At the very end of the room was another doorway, upon which there was a gold arrow, pointing downwards.
The air felt heavy and musty inside, and no sounds from the outside world seeped in, not even the ever- present sea. Which was why the sudden vibrating of her phone made Lily jump about a metre in the air. She pulled it out, her heart hammering hard against her ribs. Her mum. She winced, bracing herself.
“Hello?”
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