The stairs to the basement were slippery. She rang the bell and heard it as loudly outside as it sounded inside. She retreated several steps, did not breathe. Eva opened the door. She was wearing two jumpers, one over the other. A pair of tights and socks. A scarf around her shoulders like a shawl. Her face was a blotchy red from the cold. Isabel’s chest clenched like a vise and did not let up.
