Chapter 8
Phoenix was difficult, refusing to take off the riding hat but unable to see properly to walk upstairs in it either. Hana ended up carrying her up the back spiral staircase to the middle floor and then up the next level to Alfred and Leslie’s apartment over the west wing of the house.
“What have we here?” Alfred said with a good-natured smile as Phoenix make a drunk looking beeline towards him and Hana stood at the top of the stairs and detonated. “Leslie!” he shouted in panic, as Hana put both hands over her eyes and heard her own sobs dragging themselves from her chest in sickening, ragged breaths.
Strong arms surrounded her body as Leslie’s heavy but surprisingly nimble footsteps reached her and she heard the woman say, “Bastard,” as she buried Hana’s wet face in her ample
