I really didn’t want to go to dinner, too much had happened already on the first day we got there. The cake was still at our table, and had not been touched. Ava seemed very attracted to the cake, and I was starting to get a bit concerned.

“Oh, the cake is still there. I’m sure it wouldn’t hurt if I took a little slice for dessert,” Ava cheekily smiled. I wasn’t so sure, and I didn’t want her to die. And I certainly didn’t want to see Willow’s reaction if she did.

All of us walked around, and I was sure not to grab any of the food that contained almonds. This trip- I hope to put almonds to the side. I could see that Ava’s mouth was watering as she stared at the cake. Willow, frightened, said, “Mum, come on. I’m sure it’s not that good. It has been sitting out all day.” Ava groaned, ignoring Willow.

After a few minutes, the manager stood up and made an announcement, “Hello visitors of The Seven Rivers. First thing I want to say is thank you for coming here. This month we have very few visitors, so you have helped us. Unfortunately, I have some bad news too. It seems like a guest has stolen one of the maid’s clothes, and pretended to be a maid themselves. We still haven’t figured out who it was, but we think it is a lady. Whoever it is, once we find you, the police will take you in. So I just want everyone to be careful. Thank you, and I hope all of you enjoy your dinner.” He winked at me, and I was very embarrassed.  

It was quite obvious that the maid was a lady. I saw her with my own eyes, and so did Willow. It was now dessert time, which meant that Ava wanted to eat the cake. She cut a slice, and I watched her as she was slowly munching the cake down. It was a small piece, so I wasn’t expecting something to happen and she was fine. I spoke too soon. Gradually, Ava’s shoulders drooped down. Her eyes melted down her face, and her fingers tensed. Was this one of the stages when someone is being poisoned? Then she screamed. At once, a bunch of people with a medical kit came running to her. That was the last we saw of Ava, Willow started crying. On the other hand, Maxwell was still staring at Sophie, and they narrowed their eyes at each other. This I noticed very well, both their hands were moving. After a very long time, I realised that they were communicating. 

“Come on, Jade, let’s go!” Willow shouted, sobbing at the same time. I felt sorry for her, Ava could’ve died any minute then. I stopped her half way through the field, and wrapped my arms around her. She stopped crying, and looked up at my face, “What could I do without you?” This made me feel special, she normally would say that she’s the best, and I’m just the sidekick.

I was still thinking about the communication between Maxwell and the other lady. I couldn’t understand, and I was sure that they knew each other. It was like a secret code between them. I was so happy that it was time to sleep, I couldn’t handle this day any longer. Willow dragged herself onto the bed, and fell asleep quicker than you think. I also let myself fall onto the bed, and nothing was going to stop me from sleeping.