The Apartment - K. L. Slater Page 0,3

is the exact same building as featured in the photograph on Dr Marsden’s flyers. Then I spot a pristine white sign with decorative black script above the door that reads:

Adder House

I thank the driver and open the door, holding it wide as Skye slips out of the cab and on to the pavement. She’s still staring up at the buildings, too in awe to chatter. The diesel rumble of the cab fades behind us as we climb the short flight of stone steps that lead to the door.

A few houses down, a musclebound builder emerges on to the road, his arms full of old pipe work that he deposits unceremoniously into a skip outside.

He smiles in our direction and Skye gives him a little wave.

I chivvy her up the entrance steps, but before I can ring the bell, the door opens and Dr Marsden appears there, looking smart in his shirt and tie.

‘Freya! Welcome to Adder House.’

Before I can answer, he bends forward and stretches out a hand. ‘And you must be Miss Skye. I’m very pleased to meet you.’

‘Hello,’ Skye says in the small voice she uses when she feels a little nervous, but I almost burst with pride when she, nevertheless, boldly shakes his hand.

Dr Marsden nods approvingly at my daughter’s confidence and holds open the door while we walk into the foyer of Adder House.

‘I do hope you’ll find our home is to your liking. I think you could both be very happy here.’

‘Wow, this is so cool!’ Skye gasps, staring up at the winding stair balustrade of intricate iron filigree that spirals up the centre of the building, all the way to the top floor.

Witnessing her disbelief at the grandeur is a bit of a wake-up call and it finally hits me what an utter fool I’ve been. I did try really hard to fully explain my circumstances in the coffee shop, but Dr Marsden has obviously still managed to completely underestimate my financial capabilities.

I mean, what on earth are we doing here, really? People like us simply don’t live in places like this.

I know I have to say something to him right now, or I’m at real risk of becoming horribly embarrassed later on. I clear my throat.

‘Dr Marsden, I’m so sorry but I think we’re at cross purposes. You see, I’m on a very tight budget.’ I drag in a breath as the corner of his mouth twitches with apparent amusement. ‘You see, I’m not actually working at the moment, and there’s no way I’m going to be able to afford the rent on a place this grand.’

‘I can assure you there’s been no misunderstanding from my side.’ He chuckles, dismissing my concerns with a flutter of his thick manicured fingers. ‘As I said before, I think you and Skye will be just perfect for Adder House and that is the only priority we have here. My advice is to put all such thoughts from your head and accept the fact that you have the chance – if you want it – to make a fresh start.’

I want to believe it, I really do. But I know only too well how it feels to not fit in, to feel like the outsider.

And I’ve had enough of that to last me a lifetime.

2

We follow Dr Marsden further into the spacious entrance hall.

Skye seems entranced, looking all around her, but it’s a strange and new environment and I become aware that her small hand is feeling blindly for mine, and so I give it a reassuring squeeze.

The wood-panelled entrance is large and impressive but not so enormous that it feels impersonal. It is decorated in the manner of someone’s home, not like an apartment building at all. It’s perfect.

I step from the fitted door mat on to the gleaming wooden floorboards. The pleasant, faint odour of polish hangs in the air, and a Tiffany-style lamp on the antique console table adds a warm glow to an enclosed space that might otherwise be lacking in light.

Paintings line the walls; originals, I think, noting the brush strokes in the swirls of thick, coloured oils. Over towards the far wall there are polished mahogany stairs complete with the elegant balustrade Skye noticed earlier, snaking all the way up to the higher floors.

The three of us have fallen quiet for a few moments, and when I turn, I see that Dr Marsden is still standing near the entrance door, quietly watching us to gauge our reaction, I think.

‘It’s amazing,’ I