The apartment seems quiet when I open the door, and my heart pounds through my chest as I wonder if Sarah made my mother leave, but something deep down tells me she hasn’t. I open the door slowly and take a deep, steadying breath to calm my nerves. The small hall which opens into the sitting room smells of food being cooked, and I sigh, anxiety riling up again.  

Sarah won’t be home from her shift at work, and Marcus is unlikely to cook, so that means someone else is here. I ...