The Woman In The Attic

A New Beginning

Claire Fontaine believed in second chances at life and jumped at the offer of a new job in a new city in a new province. The move from Toronto to Calgary was supposed to bring her peace and success as a recently divorced woman.

She packed all the little things her husband Mark complained about and wanted to toss into the garbage. He always said they were things she never needed and took up space in their home. She disagreed every time he suggested a yard sale or posting them online to make a few dollars from her cherished memories. How could she sell her greatest hobby? Hundreds of books she had collected over time that she proudly displayed on her wall unit the moment she unpacked them in her new house.

Claire loved her new home with its character and charm. Hard wood floors in the entire house other than the kitchen. She needed to buy some rugs to put down to keep her feet a bit warmer. Old homes are a bit colder and she knew she had to put up plastic on the windows soon before winter came.

Her new job held lots of promise of a good future. She was now an Executive Administrator for the CEO of a book publisher. One day she hoped to move up to an editor or agent once she completed the courses she had signed up for to take at night. Claire couldn't believe she was back at University again at 46 years old but it felt refreshing to educate oneself again to pursue her dreams. Something Mark always told her was just a silly dream for girls that don't want to grow up.

"I don't miss you at all Mark Fontaine"'she said to his ghost that lingered with her still. She knew he didn't miss her one bit since Rebecca already moved into the house that Claire picked, decorated and cleaned every day.
Rebecca Reilly is 26 years old and a legal assistant at the firm Mark worked at. Firm and beautiful with her long auburn hair and green eyes that could see right through you. Claire always got the chills when she was in the company of Rebecca. She always felt that Rebecca had dark secrets or something was not entirely right with the woman.

Rebecca Reilly was now a problem for Mark instead of Claire. At least that's how Claire viewed it. The moment Claire told Mark she wanted a divorce and there was no chance of working out his infidelity is the moment Rebecca latched on to Mark. The text messages were constant as well as the phone calls. Claire even noticed Rebecca driving past the house to get a peek at her or trying to catch a glimpse of Mark. Not that it even bothered Claire anymore. She was living in the land of numb. In the land of numb you don't feel any pain and do not notice very much around you.

Claire pushed away those memories and began to focus on unpacking all her boxes. She bought new linen and towels to christen her new home as hers. She went upstairs to make her bed and hang the towels on the rack when she heard a hard knock at her front door.