All The Lies

by Nicola Sanders

‘You wouldn’t shoot me,’ he murmurs. ‘You love me too much.’

His lips find mine, and we kiss tenderly, but a voice inside my head whispers, Wouldn’t I?

I also remember what Barbara said about how much we looked alike.

‘It’s going to be all right. You’ll see, love.’

Two weeks is too long to be missing if you want to be found alive.

My mother and I don’t talk much at all. When we do, she usually either criticises or berates me or finds fault in something I’ve done or said.

A certain type of person will quite happily hurt other people they pretend to love, just to score a point against an imaginary enemy.

‘Oh wait, did you find out who she is? The fiancée?’

‘Yes! Didn’t I say? Sorry. Her name is Barbara.’

‘One day, Barbara, you will remember this conversation. Trust me. You’ll be sorry you didn’t listen to me.’

You saved my life. I am you, and you are me. We are forever bound, and I will never forget you.

My name isn’t Liz. It’s Amy. And for the first time in my life, I am exactly where I want to be.