Chapter 32. Uphill

“I’m still trying to get over the fact that my baby is getting married! Can you blame me?” Ellise’s mum said as they both went through photos of different wedding dresses.

“I’m not a baby anymore, mum,” Ellise said, chuckling. She shook her head, a smile on her face.

“You’ll always be my baby even when you hit ninety.”

“Mum!”

There was a knock on the front door of Ellise’s childhood home. She opened the door and there stood Anne.

“Hey,” she said.

“Come in,” Ellise said, giving her a smile. She nodded and walked in, her lips set in a tight line.

“Morning, Mrs. Sumners,” Anne said and Ellise frowned. Anne had never referred to her mum as ‘Mrs. Sumners’. There was something off about her.

“Uh- if you don’t mind, I need to talk to Ellie privately,” she said to Ellise’s mum who nodded slowly.

“Oh, alright. I’ll just leave you two to it,” she said and ascended the stairs.

“Anne, is anything wrong?” Ellise asked, holding her hands