Lilia's Secret by Erina Reddan Page B

Lilia,’ Lupita said. ‘We feel her and we don’t feel evil.’
    â€˜You feel her?’ I repeated slowly.
    â€˜I told you not to say anything yet,’ Gabriela hissed at Lupita.
    Lupita batted her objection away and leant towards me. ‘We feel great, great suffering, and we want your help.’
    I shook my head. ‘I don’t believe in ghosts.’
    Lupita sat back and lit another cigarette.
    â€˜Tell me why you’re here?’
    I scratched my wrist. ‘Um, just getting to know the family.’
    â€˜I don’t think so,’ she said, with narrowed eyes. ‘I feel suffering around you too. What do you need from her?’
    I put my hands over my face.
    â€˜Leave her alone,’ hissed Gabriela.
    â€˜No,’ Lupita said. ‘She’s here. She can help.’
    â€˜Help?’ I asked, from behind my hands.
    â€˜Find out if she killed them,’ said Lupita.
    I took my hands away. ‘Me?’
    They nodded in unison as they blew out another cloud of smoke. It could have been funny.
    â€˜Why?’
    â€˜You’re here.’
    I shook my head, frowning. ‘Why not you?’
    They sat back, relaxing. ‘It costs money to get on a bus,’ Gabriela said.
    â€˜And for the room we’d stay in,’ Lupita added. ‘We need the money you and Andrés send us for cigarettes, not for trips to the other side of the country,’ Gabriela chimed in, laughing as she lit another cigarette.
    â€˜Anyway, the truth is harder to find when you want it to be one thing. We’re too close to her,’ Lupita said.
    â€˜It happened decades ago. Does it matter now?’
    Lupita looked at me quizzically. ‘It matters to you.’ She stubbed out her cigarette. ‘The stories we tell ourselves about our lives eventually make their way into us and are passed on down the line unconsciously. If you must bear their burden, better they are the truth.’
    I stared back.
    â€˜Think of your children,’ Gabriela added softly.
    â€˜I’m not having children,’ I insisted, throwing my arms up.
    Gabriela shushed me and looked around for a waiter. ‘Cigarette?’ she asked. ‘Coffee?’
    â€˜No, I haven’t taken either up since I walked in here, although you two have almost driven me to them.’
    Lupita laughed. ‘It’s like this,’ she said. Gabriela sent her a warning look. Lupita laughed again and batted the look away. ‘My sister and I feel the weight of our grandmother.’
    â€˜You talk to her?’
    â€˜Nothing so simple,’ murmured Gabriela. ‘We feel her, and it’s driving us mad.’
    â€˜That explains it then,’ I deadpanned.
    They chuckled.
    We all sat back as the waiter re-filled their coffee cups. Gabriela got out her lipstick to re-apply more red.
    â€˜But you don’t have to do this for us. Do it for yourself,’ Lupita said, smacking her lips together. ‘It’s not rocket science,’ she shrugged. ‘You’re here without Andrés, asking questions about his grandmother who died twenty years ago. I’m guessing there’s more you want to know about her.’
    I opened my mouth.
    She shook her head at me, holding my gaze. ‘No need. Don’t say it.’
    I smiled. I wouldn’t have known what to say out loud anyway – I couldn’t work out why I needed to know more about Lilia.
    â€˜How much time have you got?’ Gabriela asked.
    â€˜As much as I want. I’ve just finished one project and I’ve got weeks of holiday owing.’
    Gabriela looked at Lupita. ‘I think the place to start is with Tío Juan.’
    â€˜Haven’t you two spoken to him already?’
    Lupita pulled down one side of her mouth. ‘That old snake won’t talk to us.’
    â€˜Go to Aguasecas,’ continued Gabriela. ‘You must go to Aguasecas.’
    Dry-Water – it’s an odd name for a