The Conrad's House

This is where we first meet Robin and Cat, as well as their parents and Mabel. The family home seems to be a place of security with connotations of family, love, and safety for Robin. Playing hopscotch in the driveway creates a sense of childhood gaiety and also introduces the reader to Robin’s sometimes strained relationship with her mother as can be seen in Jolene’s reaction to Robin scraping her knee. The garden and braai (barbeque) area signify a place where the family comes together to dine and enjoy each other’s company and also where we get a glimpse of Robin’s closeness to her father. The house is also where Robin’s life begins to fall apart as it is here where she is told that her parents have been killed. From this point onwards, the house becomes a haunted bank of...