by K O'Hanlon
Mike ripped the tie pin off.
“You can’t take that it was a gift from the woman I love!”
“You mean loved! She’s dead! And I can take it because I fucking paid for it!”
It suddenly dawned on Alex who this man was and he felt a slight trickle of piss in his pants. “You’re Michael Fairchild.”
“Yes! Antonia was my wife!”
“I asked her not to marry you. She wouldn’t listen. I never wanted to cause any trouble, I swear.”
“Don’t ever cross my path again or I’ll rip off more than a tie pin!” Mike left him sitting there in piss stained trousers and went back to his car. He threw the tie pin in the glove box and floored the accelerator on the Bentley. It shot off like a jet engine.
Pauline heard the doorbell ring. She wasn’t expecting Mike to return so soon. He didn’t look happy. “Come in, there’s coffee in the pot if you want one.”
“I know who the father was.”
“Well, that explains your mood. You can tell me if you want to but I’ll not push you.”
“Alexander J Redbridge.”
“Should that name mean anything to me?”
“No. And it meant nothing to me either, Pauline. I’ve never heard of him until today.”
“Is he some young attractive investment banker with his own privately owned island in the Caribbean?”
“Not quite.”
“Then I don’t understand what she saw in him.”
“He’s a fifty-something, short, fat bellied man with a comb-over. An antiques dealer, but was mostly junk that I saw.”
“Oh! Like a father figure or someone easily manipulated by a young attractive woman. Well that’s ruined the picture I had in my head. Sounds like you’ve seen him and his collection of old junk?”
“He’s also heir to a fortune. Anyway, I paid him a visit.”
“Oh, Mike. What did you do?”
“I took something that belonged to me and I left right after he pissed his pants.”
They both wanted to laugh. It was only the tragic death of his wife along with the baby she carried that stopped them.
“I’ll get us both a coffee while it’s still drinkable. I’ll be two minutes.” She went to the kitchen.
He was looking at an item of post that she’d left on the coffee table when she returned holding two mugs.
“I wasn’t going to bother you with that now, Mike.”
“I’ll be happy to discuss it if you want to adopt a child, Pauline. It’s something I’ve thought about often but never felt it was the right time until now.”
“Really, are you sure?”
“Yes. And the sooner we get married the quicker we can set the wheels in motion.”
Mike was busy Monday morning phoning the adoption agency to discuss what they needed to do in order to meet the criteria.
The adoption agency arranged an interview with Pauline and Mike that same day. They seemed just as keen for everything to go smoothly. It’s not every day that a multimillionaire couple apply to adopt children so the agency would do their utmost to bring about a happy union and provide these people who couldn’t have children of their own with a family.
He then downloaded the necessary forms to send to Gretna Green Registrar’s office. Once they received them it would take 29 days. He booked flights to Glasgow Airport and a hire car for the 70 mile journey to their wedding venue. The hotel would put a package together and make all the arrangements for the wedding with an overnight stay. Once back home they would have everything needed to adopt a child.
Pauline was so excited and so too was Mike although being a man he tried to hide it. They attended the interview in the afternoon. Pauline had changed her clothing several times not knowing what to wear. She didn’t know what would make the best impression.
Sitting in the waiting area she still felt she’d chosen the wrong outfit. A short stocky woman in a tight green cardigan and a brown skirt that reached just below her knees came out to greet them.
“Miss Jackson, Mr Fairchild. I’m Miss Price, pleased to meet you both. Please follow me.”
They were taken to a small office and seated in front of an old desk that had Miss Price’s name engraved on a piece of wood resting on the top.
The interview lasted over an hour with the woman ticking boxes and making notes on the questionnaire. “Well I don’t see any reason why you would be refused. Everything looks good from what you’ve told me so far. Obviously we have to be very careful who we trust with adoption but assuming you still wish to proceed we’ll arrange another meeting and go over everything with you. We’ll be here to guide you every step of the way. You should receive a letter within the next week to ten days.”
“Thank you, Miss Price. We look forward to hearing from you soon.”
Pauline was shaking as they drove back to her house. “What if they say no, Mike?”
“Why would they?”
“I just feel that I said all the wrong things.”
“You were perfect. We can offer a good life to a child plus a loving home.”
Sam’s funeral on Wednesday afternoon was a short service with just the two of them attending to say their farewells. There was no singing in the chapel, just a few words spoken and a short prayer before it ended.
Pauline had been late for work every day until the adoption letter arrived on Friday. She had waited each morning for the postman to come before leaving for work. Mike knew what she was doing but didn’t say anything. In truth, he was eagerly waiting too.
Steve Wilkingson and Pauline entered the office building at the same time. “Pauline. Long time no see. How are you?”
“Oh, Steve. Hi, I’m fine. I guess you want to see Mike?”
They both walked in and saw him juggling two phone calls. Pauline waved the letter at him with a big smile on her face. He ended both calls and smiled back before seeing Steve at the door.
“Hold all my calls please, Pauline. Hi, Steve. Come on in.” Mike got up and closed his office door.
“I’ve got a lot of information in this envelope about your brother, Mike. I’ve dug deep and it doesn’t make for good reading. Fact is I strongly advise you not to read it. Nothing can change what happened and you should move on with your life and forget about it. As a good friend I suggest you leave it sealed and burn it.”
“Good God. Whatever was Sam mixed up in for you to tell me that?”
“Trust me, Mike. You’re better off not knowing. In fact you’re probably safer not knowing.”
“It sounds like you’re saying Sam’s death wasn’t an accident.”
“It was no accident and if you value your life and those you love you’ll forget about all this.”
“Thanks, Steve. I’ll seriously consider what you’ve told me.”
“That is the only copy of that file, Mike. I completely wiped the whole thing from my system. It’s gone for good.”
Steve left the building hoping that his friend would take the advice and burn the file.
Pauline went into Mike’s office and looked at him. He was staring at a large brown envelope on his desk.
“I couldn’t help overhearing some of what he said. Please don’t open it, Mike. We’re about to get married soon and adopt a child.” He didn’t answer. “Please don’t make me beg, Mike.”
“I’m leaving early today. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He picked the envelope up and walked out with it.
Pauline spent the remainder of the day in a panic. She had been on an emotional rollercoaster, first with good news then with bad.
She tried ringing his home number and got no answer. His mobile was switched off too. He didn’t contact her at all that afternoon or evening and she had a sleepless night.
Saturday came and went. So much for him seeing her tomorrow. Should she go to his house? Would he let her through the gates? His phone was still turned off. She had no way of contacting him.
Sunday morning she woke up on her own sofa. Lack of sleep ha
d finally caught up with her. She had heavy eyes and a thumping headache. Mike’s Mercedes was parked outside but he didn’t come to the door. She went out to see what he was doing. He was asleep in the driver’s seat with it reclined back. A hefty tap on the window woke him up. “Come inside, I’ll make us a coffee.” She went inside and put the kettle on. He followed in behind.
“I didn’t open it, Pauline.”
“Did you burn it?”
“No, I couldn’t, not yet.”
“Can you please in future stay in contact with me? I was worried sick and had no way of knowing how you were.”
“I’m sorry. I had to be alone. Are you mad at me? Will I get a cushion thrown at my head?”
“You might get a coffee pot thrown at your head if you do that again.”
“Well I’ve put it in the safe and it’ll stay there. One day I might read it. Or I might just burn it. Maybe both, I don’t know.”
“I thought of going to your house but you might not let me through the gates.”
“I’ll give you a remote to keep in your car for the gates, and a set of my keys and alarm code.”
“What happened to your Bentley? You didn’t smash it up or anything?”
“No, the tank needs filling.”
“I need to lie down for a while, Mike. My head is splitting. I crashed out on the sofa last night.”
“Mind if I join you?”
“I’d mind if you didn’t.”
Chapter Twenty-One
M onday morning was hectic in the office. They both had work to catch up on and the report about Sam was forgotten for now. A meeting had been arranged at the adoption agency with the panel of people who would have the final say.
Their wedding was confirmed over the phone and the date was all set.
“Pauline. We best advertise for another engineer for when you can’t be here. Frank would be good but he won’t spend all his time in an office and I don’t think it’s wise to take him off site.”
“I know someone who might want a chance to move up the ladder, Mike. He hated working for my old boss. If he’s still there I’ll ask him.”
“Ok, I’ll leave it with you. Offer a good salary and a car.”
“Do you have any figures for that?”
“You’re a partner now sweetheart. You decide.”
“His name is John Slater. He had a crush on me when we worked together.”
“As long as you don’t have a crush on him it’s not a problem.”
Pauline looked up his number and gave him a call. He as good as said yes before she told him the salary.
“Well he’s very keen, Mike. I’m pretty sure he’ll take the job.”
Mike was busy searching the internet in his office.
“Good. Now I need you to move into my house. I’m looking at a waterbed on this site, come in here and have a look.”
Pauline walked into his office. He flipped the screen round so she could see what he was talking about.
“I’m not a strong swimmer, Mike. I’ll need a life jacket.”
“Is that a no then? I can give you lessons.”
“But when I’m drowning the lessons you’ve given me won’t be for swimming.”
A cheeky grin appeared on his face. “You know me too well.”
Everything was falling into place. The future was looking bright. The next few weeks flew by. Their wedding day was fast approaching. They passed with flying colours at the adoption agency meetings. All the vetting had been done and both they and the agency were keen to move forward as quickly and smoothly as possible.
“Come to my house tonight and you can see what I’ve had done to the place.”
“Did you change the bed? Should I bring some kind of floating aid?”
“I’ve done more than change the bed. Just come and see for yourself. I didn’t want you to see it before it was finished, that’s why I kept you away.”
“I wondered why you kept sleeping at my place.”
“Bring everything you need for the wedding. Our flight leaves early in the morning.”
Mike really had gone to town with the changes he’d made. He wanted to remove everything that reminded him of Toni. The whole house had been redecorated from top to bottom. Outside at the rear of the house now stood a play area with soft surfacing. Safety locks had been fitted to cupboards to protect young fingers from getting caught. He hadn’t told Pauline about the visit he had from Miss Price. She had helped him choose all the things needed for not one but two children.
Pauline arrived at the gates and used her remote to open them. She had only ever been inside Mike’s house a couple of times before he was married to Toni. It was a beautiful place. She pulled up beside his car before getting out and felt the crunch of gravel under her feet. The big front door opened before she got to it.
“Hi. Welcome to our home.” He lifted her up in his arms and carried her inside.
“Wow! Did I miss the wedding?”
“No, and we’re having an early night tonight so we don’t miss it tomorrow.” He put her down and took her coat and bag. “I’ll get your case from the car. Have a look around and make yourself at home.”
“Oh Mike, it’s lovely, you’ve really brightened it up.”
“Come upstairs.”
“Bloody hell, you don’t waste any time.”
“I want you to see something.”
“If it’s a waterbed I best take my shoes off and put my arm bands on.”
He led her up the stairs to a room next to the master bedroom. “Stand there and close your eyes.” He opened the door and shuffled her inside. “Ok, you can open them now.”
The room was obviously decorated for children. Two small beds, one with pink covers and the other with blue stood a few feet apart from each other at one end. A box of soft toys was in the corner.
“It’s lovely. Now we’re ready for a boy or girl.”
“Pauline, we’re ready for a boy and girl.”
“Two?”
“Yes. Miss Price paid me a visit to check the house over. She gave me some advice about what was needed. How do you feel about twins? They’re 3 years old. Benny and Grace.”
“Oh, Mike! Is it definite? When can we see them?”
“The day after tomorrow as soon as we get back from Glasgow. Hopefully we’ll be allowed to take them out for a few hours to see if they like us.”
“I can’t wait. Have you seen any photos?”
“I saw their photos in the file, they’re beautiful. Here, I took a quick shot on my phone while she wasn’t looking.”
“Oh they’re gorgeous. I’m so happy, Mike.”
“While you’re in a happy mood put your arm bands on and see what I’ve got in the master bedroom.”
Their flight to Glasgow was on time and after a 70 mile drive in the hire car they arrived at their hotel in Gretna Green with plenty of time to spare before the short wedding ceremony. The whole day went past in a haze of happiness with both of them thinking about the twins and how it would all work out. The wedding night consisted mostly of Mike telling Pauline to try and get some sleep. They would have a busy day when they flew back home.
No sooner had their flight touched down at Gatwick, Pauline and Mike unclipped their belts and wanted to be first off the plane. Mike had an idea that might get them out the doors quicker. He called a cabin crew member over before everyone started to get up from their seats.
“My wife is feeling rather sick and could throw her lunch up at any moment. Is there any chance of getting her off quickly so she can get to the ladies room in the airport?”
Nobody wanted to clear vomit from inside the aircraft so they agreed to let them off first. Once through the airport they got in the Bentley and headed home.
“Mike, we didn’t get the cases.”
“Forget the cases we don’t have time. They can deliver them later. I’ll call Miss Price and see if we can go there this afternoon and see the twins.”
The meeting was all
arranged, they could spend time with Benny and Grace while under supervision. If the children liked their new mum and dad the adoption could go ahead as planned.
Once the staff had seen how well the couple got on with the twins it was just a case of filling out the paperwork before they could go and start their new life. It would take several visits just to be sure but everyone was happy that the twins would stay together. The staff knew they had found the perfect couple to adopt two very lively children. Mike’s wealth offered them enormous opportunities to do well in life.
It wasn’t long before the children were officially adopted and could be taken to stay at their new home. Pauline was so excited she couldn’t believe it was really happening. Both her and Mike already thought of the twins as their own kids. Life was good.
Winter was fast approaching and the twins were now part of the family group. After only a few months neither Mike nor Pauline could remember a time when they hadn’t had them. It seemed like they had been there from birth.
A trip to the zoo had been promised and once promised to small children they had no choice but to see it through. Mike was feeling a bit under the weather so Pauline took the pair on her own.
It was an opportunity for Mike to sit by the open fire with a glass of brandy and go over in his head all the things that had brought him to this place in time. He had a beautiful wife, two gorgeous children, and he loved them all so much. His parents would have been so happy for him. Those thoughts led him to Sam. How would his brother feel?
The sealed report had been in his safe since Steve had given it to him. It was time to open it and face whatever was inside. He knew Pauline would be gone for a few hours with the twins. He could read it and get it over with. Nothing could possibly ruin what he had now.
He clicked the combination of the safe and removed the brown envelope which was right at the back. Once comfortable in his chair by the fire he ripped the seal and pulled the contents out. There were six pages of text and some 8 by 10 photos.
He hadn’t got far into the first page when the tears started forming in his eyes. The report was in chronological order. His brother had wanted him dead. Mike read through all the messages sent via a chess site from Samantha25 to the man known as James Russell who he now knew had wanted to kill him but had instead killed his partner Ben.