The midnight summons that shattered the quiet.
In an instant, the phone erupted at halfpast eleven. Camille had just drifted off, her husbands steady breathing the only sound, and the sudden ring jolted her awake. Her heart thudded harderat that hour, nothing good could be expected.
Louis, she whispered, shaking him gently. Louis, wake up! Its the phone.
He shot upright, snatching the handset. Camille watched his face grow paler with each passing second.
Whatwhen? he asked hoarsely. Yesyes I understand. Im on my way.
Louis placed the receiver down slowly, his fingers trembling.
Whats happening? Camille murmured, already sensing the worst.
Pierre and Sophie he swallowed. An accident. Both of them. Immediately.
A heavy silence fell over the room, broken only by the clocks ticking. Camille stared at her husband, disbelief etched on her face.
Just two days earlier theyd all been in the kitchen, sipping tea, Sophie sharing her new tart recipe, PierreLouiss university buddytelling fishing stories.
And Juliette? Camille suddenly recalled. God, what happened to Juliette?
She was at home, Louis said, pulling on his trousers in a hurry. I have to go, Camille. Theres a search and then
Im coming with you.
No! he snapped, turning sharply. Lucie would be left alone. No point frightening her in the middle of the night.
Camille nodded. He was right; involving their twelveyearold daughter in this tragedy served no purposeat least not yet.
All night she lay awake, pacing the flat and glancing repeatedly at the clock. She checked on Lucie, asleep, breathing softly, cheek resting on her hand, red hair tangled on the pillowso peaceful, so vulnerable.
Louis returned at dawn, eyes bloodshot and exhausted.
Its confirmed, he said, collapsing into an armchair. A headon collision with a truck. They had no chance.
What will happen to Juliette now? Camille asked, setting a steaming mug of strong coffee before him.
I dont know. All she has left is her grandmother in the village. Shes very old, almost helpless.
They fell silent. Outside the window, the morning was a dull, grey blur. Juliette, Louiss goddaughter, was the same age as their Luciea shy little blonde.
You know, Louis said slowly, maybe we should take her in.
Camille spun around.
Are you serious?
Why not? We have a spare room. Im her godfather, after all. I wont let the child end up in an orphanage.
Louis, thats a huge decision. We need to think, maybe talk to Lucie first.
Whats there to think about? he thumped the table. Shes an orphan! My goddaughter! I couldnt live with myself if I abandoned her!
Camille bit her lip. He was right, but everything was moving so fast, so unexpectedly.
Mom, dad, whats going on? Lucies sleepy voice startled them. Why are you up so early?
They exchanged a glance; the moment of truth had arrived sooner than they’d imagined.
My dear, Camille began, sit down. We have very bad news.
Lucie listened, eyes widening with each word. When Louis mentioned Juliette moving in, she leapt up.
No! she shouted. I dont want that! Let her go to her grandmother!
Lucie! Louis scolded. How can you be so heartless? Shes already suffered enough!
And what does it matter to me? Lucie shot back, eyes flashing. These arent my problems! I dont want her in my house! Nor you!
She slammed the kitchen door and stormed out. Camille looked at her husband, helpless.
Maybe we should have taken more time?
No, he replied firmly. Its decided. Juliette will live with us. Lucie will adjust.
A week later Juliette moved inquiet, pale, eyes dim. She spoke little, answering questions only with nods. Camille tried to surround her with care, cooking her favorite meals, buying fresh butterflypatterned bedding.
Lucie outright ignored Juliette, locking herself in her room and averting her gaze whenever their paths crossed in the hallway.
Stop acting like this! Louis chastised. Have some compassion!
What am I doing wrong? Lucie retorted. Im just pretending she doesnt exist. This is my house!
Tension in the flat grew daily. Camille shuffled between the girls, trying to smooth the edges, but every effort seemed to worsen things.
Then the earrings vanishedher favorite gold pair set with tiny diamonds, a gift from Louis for their tenth wedding anniversary.
Its her! Lucie declared when Camille discovered the loss. I saw her go into your room when you werent there!
Thats not true! Juliette shouted for the first time. I didnt take anything! Im not a thief!
She burst into tears and fled to her room. Louis stared at his daughter, darkeyed.
You did it on purpose, huh? Trying to drive her out?
Im telling the truth! Lucie stomped. Shes just faking sadness!
Enough! Camille interrupted. Lets not fight. Well find the earrings; perhaps I misplaced them.
Three days later a ring disappeared from the jewellery boxa memento from Camilles mother.
So that one vanished too, by accident? Lucie snapped. Or should we just pretend nothing happened?
She stood in the living room, hands on hips, a tiny fury. At the doorway, Juliette trembled, biting her lip, on the brink of tears.
Camilles gaze shifted between the two girls, and for the first time in days she felt a sudden clarity.
Sitting on the edge of the bathtub, she held a bottle of mercurochrome. The idea had struck her while treating a paper cut on Juliettes fingermercurochrome, as stubborn as a lie and as visible as truth.
When the house finally slept, she took out the jewellery box and marked each ring and earring with a microscopic dot.
What am I doing? she whispered in the darkness. God, how far have I gone
The next morning a pendant disappeared. The kitchen was heavy with silence. Juliette stirred her cereal listlessly, Lucie stared at the window, Louis sipped his coffee gloomily.
The girls, Camille tried to speak calmly, show me your hands.
They looked at her, puzzled.
Why? Lucie furrowed her brows.
Just show them.
Juliette placed her open palm on the tableclean, unmarked. Lucie hesitated.
I dont want to! she tried to rise.
Sit down! Louis barked. Show your mother your hands, now!
Reluctantly, Lucie lifted her hands; tiny green dots glittered on her fingertips.
A deafening silence filled the kitchen. The clock ticked, water droned through the pipes, Louiss breathing grew heavy.
You he choked, fury rising. You accused Juliette while you
Lucie sprang up, chair toppling, terror mixing with something like shame in her eyes.
I hate you! she screamed. I hate you all!
Before anyone could stop her, she bolted for the front door, slamming it shut.
Lucie! Camille chased, but Louis grabbed her shoulders.
Let her cool off, he said harshly. She needs to think about what shes done.
Hours passed and Lucie didnt return. The phone stayed silent. As dusk fell, Camille could no longer stay still.
We have to call the police, she said, voice shaking. Night is falling
At that moment, after a day of silence, Juliette straightened up.
I think I know where she might be.
How do you know? Camille asked, surprised.
I Ive seen her sometimes. She likes to sit in the old pavilion in the park, near the pond.
Why didnt you say that earlier? Louis demanded.
You never asked, Juliette shrugged. Ill go get her. Alone. Please.
Camille exchanged a look with Louis. Something new rang in Juliettes voiceconfidence, determination.
Go, she gave permission.
An hour slipped by, then another. Twilight deepened when a knock sounded at the door.
On the doorstep stood the two girls, hair disheveled, faces flushed. Lucies eyes were swollen with tears, but the anger had faded. Julietteshe was smiling, truly smiling, for the first time in ages.
Mom, Lucie whispered, Im sorry. Ill give everything back.
I know, sweetheart, Camille embraced her. I know.
Its just I thought Lucie sobbed. Youd love her more than me. Shes so unhappy, and I
Youre silly, Juliette interrupted. Youre stupid, Lucie. Can love be stolen? It either exists or it doesnt.
Camille stared, amazed at how a twelveyearold could sound so wise.
We talked, Juliette explained, meeting Camilles eyes. A long talk. About everything.
And you know what? Lucie, through tears, beamed. Shes awesomeour Juliette. She loves Harry Potter! She plays chess! Mom, can she stay in my room? Please!
A lump formed in Camilles throat. She pulled both girls into a tight hug. Somewhere in the apartment Louis shifted noisily.
Later, as she tucked the girls into bed, she heard them whisper.
Can I call you sisterinlaw? Lucie asked.
Yes, Juliette replied, a smile in her voice. If you teach me how to make bracelets. Yours are beautiful
Camille gently closed the door. In the kitchen, Louis waited with two glasses.
You know, he said thoughtfully, pouring rubyred liquid, I bet Pierre and Sophie are happy up there.
Do you think? Camille asked, taking a glass.
Certainly. Their daughter is finally home, with family. And now she has a sister.
Stars glittered outside, distant dogs barked. In the childrens room, two girls, once strangers, whispered secrets, slowly becoming true sisters.
The Midnight Call That Shattered the Silence.
