Smells Like Trouble

I reached the back door, turned the handle slowly, praying it wouldn’t creak.

It creaked.

Loudly.

I froze like a deer in headlights, one foot inside, one foot still outside, looking like a burglar who got caught mid-robbery.

And of course… Mum was right there in the kitchen, holding a cup of tea, staring at me with that all-knowing mum look.

She raised one eyebrow. “Aria?”

I laughed nervously,