Read The Cellar for Free Online Page B

his hands and felt how cold it was. Princess wouldn’t want a man with a camera down here, Master. He’ll ask what made you fall down the steps and show pictures of you on the television … and people will wonder why you stayed behind to look in the cellar instead of going to the hospital with Olubayo. I expect Princess and the white will wonder also.
    Ebuka’s eyes widened as if he were realising for the first time that he didn’t really know this girl. It was the longest speech he’d ever heard her make. It doesn’t matter, he insisted. I need help. Are you so lacking in human feeling that you can’t see that?
    I am what you and Princess have made me, Master. The feelings I have are the ones you’ve taught me. If they aren’t human the fault is yours.
    Muna fancied she saw horror in his face.
    You’re a monster, he grated from his dry mouth. Your demons have brought this evil to my family.
    Muna didn’t answer. He was tiring rapidly and she waited until his breathing was so shallow she could barely see the rise and fall of his chest. She went upstairs to collect the duvet from Yetunde’s bed and a glass of water from the kitchen, placed them solicitously over and beside Ebuka, and then resumed her position next to him.
    When she heard the front door open, and Yetunde’s heavy tread on the floor above, she took Ebuka’s hand in hers and cried loudly for Princess to come to the cellar.

Autumn

Six
    Muna’s view of the world was a simple one. Things happened because they were meant to happen, and nothing she did or didn’t do could alter what fate had ordained. It disappointed her that Ebuka lived but she took comfort when she learned from Yetunde that he’d broken his back. She had faith that the Devil intended him to suffer.
    He was absent from the house for many weeks and Yetunde swung between hope and despair about his condition. When movement returned to his hands and arms, she believed he would rise from his bed and walk again. When the doctors told her he would be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life, she became depressed and cried every day about the difficulties they would face if Ebuka were unable to work.
    Muna avoided her on these occasions, preferring to resume her duties than wait in idleness for Yetunde’s sorrow to turn in a flash from misery to anger. Yetunde wanted someone to blame and Muna’s lack of expression infuriated her. Only a girl beset by demons would be so uncaring about Olubayo having to leave his private school or the dreaded prospect of Ebuka being sent home when the hospital decided there was no more they could do for him.
    Yetunde would have forced Muna back into the cellar if she could but her fear of the police stopped her. She no longer believed there were listening devices in the house but she was wary of doing anything to make them suspicious. Inspector Jordan made frequent appearances, using the excuse of needing to clarify evidence, but she always came without warning.
    The lawyer, Mr Broadstone, was the most regular visitor. At the beginning, his reports were about the investigation into Abiola’s disappearance. The police had found no suspicious DNA in the boot of Ebuka’s car although they’d lifted dust and fibres that matched sweepings they’d taken from the cellar. Since even Ebuka’s doctors wouldn’t allow him to be interviewed, Mr Broadstone had given explanations on his client’s behalf. When he repeated them to Yetunde, she clapped her hands in approval, saying Ebuka could never have argued his case so well.
    Mr Broadstone had told the police that Mr Songoli’s work required him to travel from time to time. His last trip – recorded in his office diary – had been five days before Abiola’s disappearance. Because Mr Songoli stored his luggage in the cellar, any case or overnight bag which he placed in his boot would carry dust and fibre from the cellar floor. Forensic scientists might argue that this wouldn’t account for the quantity