The Cellar Read Online Free PDF

the same impassive face she always had, and watched the boy back away from her up the stairs. She enjoyed the power she felt when she saw how his hand trembled on the banister.
    Some time later, Yetunde came to Muna’s room and pleaded with her to help Ebuka. You must persuade the white that Abiola was alive on Thursday morning, she said. Mr Broadstone thinks she’s more likely to believe you than Mr Songoli or myself.
    How can I do that, Princess?
    Describe what he was wearing and what he did … how he came to my room for sugared almonds … how he cried about having to walk to school.
    But I didn’t see him, Princess. I’m not allowed to look at any of you without permission. I waited in the kitchen until it was safe to go upstairs and take the sheets from Abiola’s bed. It’s what I do every day.
    Then pretend you saw him, Yetunde snapped. You know he was here. His tantrum was loud enough for everyone to hear.
    Is that what you want me to say, Princess?
    Yetunde gripped Muna’s wrist with fat fingers. Of course not, you foolish creature! The white is looking for a reason why the Master might have lost his temper with Abiola. You must convince her you waved your brother goodbye as he left the house.
    I’ve already tried, Princess. She asked me the question while you and the Master were away, but she believes me too damaged to know what is true and what isn’t.
    Yetunde frowned in annoyance. How can you know what the white believes?
    The Hausa speaker said I wasn’t to worry if I couldn’t remember everything, Princess. The white told her to say it wasn’t my fault if I didn’t know which day the gardener came and Abiola went missing.
    Yetunde’s rings bit into her flesh. There’s no ‘ and ’ about it. The gardener comes on Wednesdays. Abiola went missing on Thursday.
    I didn’t know that, Princess. I’ve never seen the gardener. You don’t allow me near the windows when he’s working outside. You said you didn’t want him to know I was here.
    Yetunde took several deep breaths to calm herself. Did you tell the white the two things happened on Wednesday?
    No, Princess. I said I didn’t know which day they happened.
    Yetunde thrust her away. You’ve made it worse, she said angrily. It’s no wonder the white suspects the Master. He should have called a lawyer sooner. Mr Broadstone says she had no business talking to you without an adult present.
    I wouldn’t have answered any of her questions if the Hausa speaker hadn’t said I had to, Princess. Some were very strange.
    Such as?
    Were you and the Master kind to me, Princess? Did you love me? Did I love you? I told her yes and made no mention of the cellar or the rod because I didn’t want you to think me ungrateful.
    Yetunde moved impatiently to the window. Were you asked why the Master took so long to summon the police on Thursday evening?
    Yes, Princess.
    What answer did you give?
    None, Princess. I sat in silence, staring at my hands. The Hausa speaker said I didn’t have to be afraid if I told the truth … but I was sure you wouldn’t like it if I did. It might have seemed strange to them if I’d said you thought it more important to find me a dress than look for Abiola.
    She watched the play of expressions on Yetunde’s bloated, ugly face. Yetunde showed her emotions so openly, and Muna had lived with her so long, it wasn’t hard to guess the thoughts that were running through her head. She wanted to doubt Muna’s honesty but she couldn’t. Her contempt for the girl’s abilities was too ingrained to believe her capable of invention. It certainly didn’t occur to her that Muna understood English, or that the knowledge she’d gained from listening to everything the white said allowed her to twist the truth.
    Yetunde clenched her fists at her sides, releasing her frustration in a resentful sigh. We’re being accused of things we haven’t done, she said, and all because there are no CCTV images of Abiola on the day he went missing. The