Alice | Now

The next day it rains, taking me by surprise. 

The rain droplets stain my bedroom window. The gutters are nearly flooded to the brim and from a distance, it runs through pleats in the low-lying streets, accumulating at the sides of the pavement so that when you stepped out of the house, your shoes get drenched.

Desmond complained about it. He said it was raining cats and dogs and it was going to be difficult getting to the car in the downpour, making us late for the service. In my view, it is a gloomy day to go to a funeral-a day we bury Eve. The same day two other people are going to be put six feet under. When my aunt and uncle sat both Melly and I down after dinner to explain what happened, I got to know that it wasn't just Eve who died. Unexpectedly, both James and Annabel were gone too. 

Even though I never particularly liked my sister's best friend, I couldn't help