A Summer of Secrets

by Lorna Peel

  “Is this it? I mean, there won’t be more in next week’s paper?”

  “No, this is it, according to Don. But it’s more than enough for him, poor bloke. Said that he found out that Danielle was an alcoholic and why on his honeymoon.” He shook his head as the kettle clicked off and he poured the boiling water into the teapot. “Have you slept?”

  “No. Stephanie, Thomas, and I have been in the library. Stephanie knew all along.”

  Her father’s head jerked up. “No?”

  “Yes. She overheard when she was ten. Knew that her mother wasn’t her birth mother but not who her real mother was.”

  “And Thomas?”

  “Dazed. He…” She tailed off as her phone rang. It was Michelle.

  “Don’t answer it,” her father advised.

  “No, I have to speak to her.” She picked it up and swiped the screen. “Michelle.”

  “Not hiding behind daddy now?”

  “It wasn’t like that.”

  “You’ve known all along, haven’t you?”

  “Yes.”

  “And that Mum drank?”

  “No, not about that.”

  “Were you ever going to tell me?”

  “No.”

  “Dad’s left Mum and there are all these journalists outside.”

  “They’re here, too.”

  “Not right outside your window. You’ve got a mile long drive and eight foot high gates to keep them out.”

  “Yes. Where is your mum?”

  “On the train. Peter’s bringing her up here. Dad’s furious but we want her to explain herself. Oh, God, I don’t believe this.”

  Michelle hung up abruptly and Sophia put the phone down.

  “Peter and Danielle are on their way up on the train.”

  “Here.” Her father passed her a mug of tea. “I’d love to be a fly on the wall when she arrives.”

  Sophia rolled her eyes. “A fly wearing protective armour.” She went to the window to open it and saw Thomas in his office. She put her mug on the table and went to him. “Dad’s just made a pot of tea. Come up.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Danielle and Peter are on their way up on the train,” she told him as she poured him his tea.

  “Bloody hell, is that wise?”

  “I doubt it,” her father replied.

  “Michelle rang just now, that’s how I know. She rang earlier but Dad managed to deal with her.”

  “Good. Thanks, William. We’re not on the news, are we?”

  “Haven’t had the TV on. I’m more of a radio man in the mornings but I can’t work the radio here at all. It’s one of those digital ones.”

  “Well, read that instead.” Thomas threw the newspaper onto the breakfast bar. “Makes for quite interesting reading.”

  Mr Nelson turned the paper around and Sophia and he both read the article.

  Suburban housewife, Danielle Armstrong, has revealed how she was approached by Lord William Heaton of Heaton Abbey House in Yorkshire to become a surrogate mother when it was discovered that his wife was infertile. Danielle agreed and after negotiating a fee of £5,000 bore Heaton a child. The child was a daughter, Stephanie, and unable to inherit the Heaton Abbey Estate. Following receipt of a further £5,000, Danielle bore Heaton a son – Thomas, the current Baron Heaton, who will shortly marry miner’s daughter Sophia Nelson.

  What makes this story even more extraordinary is that back in 1975 and 1976, test tube technology was not yet developed so Danielle would have had to sleep with Heaton in order to conceive!

  He was a handsome man…

  “Yes, I had to sleep with Lord Heaton,” Danielle admits. “I had to sleep with him a number of times, in fact, but he was a handsome man…”

  Danielle used the £10,000 to purchase a house in north London following her marriage to Don Armstrong, an accountant, with whom she has two children – Michelle and Peter. But that is not the end of the story. Turn to page 5!

  Giving up my babies made me hit the bottle!

  “It was only after I had handed my babies over that I realised the enormity of what I had done,” Danielle says quietly. “Those babies were my flesh and blood. I’m afraid that is when I started drinking really heavily.”

  Danielle freely admits that she is an alcoholic.

  Sometimes I just feel like ending it all…

  “I’ve tried Alcoholics Anonymous and had such a bad experience that I swore I would never go back but then I promised Thomas that I would try again but it is so hard. I’ve been to two meetings but when I saw Thomas in an article in a tourist brochure promoting Heaton Abbey House, I’m afraid I just reached for the bottle. He is my son and I’ve missed seeing him grow up. His sister doesn’t even know I exist. I know I’ve failed everyone, especially myself. Sometimes I just feel like ending it all…”

  Danielle was reunited with Thomas a few months ago but, as she says, his sister, Stephanie, knows nothing.

  “Thomas gave me a photograph of himself and Stephanie and I treasure it. They are so beautiful, my babies.”

  Is she relieved that her secret is now out in the open? Danielle shrugs.

  “Well, I am, but no-one else will be. But I just couldn’t live a lie any longer.”

  “She’s clearly not thought it through,” Mr Nelson said. “She could go to prison for this. Surrogacy was illegal, wasn’t it?”

  “Yes, but all she was worried about was where the next drink was coming from.”

  “Where’s Stephanie?”

  “She’s cut across the park to the apartments for a shower and a change of clothes. Lady Heaton’s gone back there, too. There’s nothing else we can do except sit this out. There’s still time to cancel today’s tour?”

  Sophia shook her head. “As long as the police know that there’s a coach coming this afternoon. I don’t want them being turned away.”

  “You sure?”

  She smiled. “Positive.”

  “Okay, get some clothes, go to my bedroom and sleep until I wake you.”

  “What about you?”

  “I’ll have an early night tonight.”

  She retrieved some clothes, kissed them both, and went out.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Thomas woke her at half-past one.

  “Brunch is served,” he whispered and kissed her lips.

  “Any updates?”

  “No. Nothing.”

  Thankfully, the Australian tour group weren’t avid readers of The World on Sunday and the tour passed off uneventfully. She went to the flat and found her father watching a DVD.

  “Any news?” he asked.

  “No. With a lot of luck, the journalists will clear off soon.”

  “But then what?”

  “I’ve no idea.”

  “Sophia?” She heard Thomas’ voice in the stable yard and went to the window.

  “Up here.”

  “You’re not going to believe this.” He stood at the door and nodded to her father. “They’re all coming over here. The whole lot of them. Michelle rang the office and told me that as soon as Danielle and Peter arrive they’re all coming over here to thrash it out.”

  “Bloody hell, we might as well go and sell tickets at the gates.”

  “This needs to be sorted out, Sophia,” her father told her patiently.

  “Yes, but not while everyone is still in shock and furious about it.”

  Thomas’ phone beeped a text message and he grimaced.

  “They’re on their way up the drive.”

  “Where are Stephanie and Lady Heaton?”

  “Waiting in the drawing room. Come on, let’s get this over and done with.”

  Sophia and Thomas stood at the front door as Michelle, Cathy and Don got out of one car and Tony, Danielle and Peter got out of another. Thomas squeezed her hand and went forward.

  “Come inside, please.”

  Stephanie got up as they all went in and Lady Heaton turned away from the window. Danielle took one look at Stephanie
and burst into tears.

  “Oh, for God’s sake, woman,” Don snapped. “You brought all this on yourself so shut up.”

  “Listen,” Thomas shouted. “The first thing we are going to do is close the curtains. The press saw you drive in and I know the police are there but, well, you know what they’re like.”

  “I don’t but my so-called wife does.”

  Sophia went to one window and Stephanie to the second and Lady Heaton switched on the lights.

  “Good,” Thomas went on. “Now, we are going to try and discuss this without any further shouting. Is that clear? Can we all sit down, please?” Everyone did as he asked and he nodded. “Thank you. Now, Lady Heaton is going to explain how all this came about.”

  For the first time, Sophia saw Lady Heaton look startled.

  “Oh, that’s right, blame me for all this.”

  “Explain please.”

  Sophia glanced at everyone’s faces as Lady Heaton explained the circumstances which led to Stephanie and Thomas’s births. Her father and Michelle were astonished. Poor Cathy looked bewildered. Tony and Peter were disgusted, Don furious and Danielle ashamed.

  “…And she kept ringing us up,” Lady Heaton continued. “At all times of the day and night. Drunk more often than not. Then she began to demand money. Eventually, Thomas caught me having to steal items from my own home to sell so that she would have money for alcohol.”

  Everyone looked at Danielle who shrugged.

  “I wished I hadn’t given my babies up…”

  “You sold your babies,” Michelle snapped. “Jesus, Mum.”

  “Sophia and I met Danielle and Don in Leeds,” Thomas explained. “I told Danielle that there would be no more money for alcohol and Danielle agreed to start going to A.A. again.”

  “Bloody hell, Thomas. Surely you know that an alcoholic has to want to stop drinking of their own accord not be pressurised into it.”

  “Michelle, she wasn’t pressurised,” Sophia told her.

  “And you can shut up.”

  “Michelle,” Don warned and she rolled her eyes. “Sophia’s right, your mother wasn’t pressurised, and I honestly thought that she was going to the meetings. I just should have bloody gone with her.”

  “I bet there was consternation when I was born,” Stephanie spoke and everyone turned to her. “A girl – shock, horror.”

  Sophia looked at her father who pressed his lips together.

  “When you were born, we knew that we would have to try again,” Lady Heaton said crisply. “We had to have an heir. We approached Danielle again and she agreed to have another baby.”

  “Christ,” Peter whispered.

  “And Thomas was born the following year. He was a beautiful baby. He and Stephanie both were. I have no regrets over what we did. Danielle was given time to consider our offer both times and both times she agreed.”

  “She agreed because you dangled a wad of money in front of her face,” Tony cried.

  “Well, she was hardly going to do it out of the kindness of her heart, was she? I’m sorry, who are you, exactly?” she asked in an imperious tone and Tony flushed.

  Sophia got up. “This is Michelle and Peter, Danielle and Don’s children. Tony is Michelle’s husband and Cathy, here, is their daughter.”

  “I see. Well, I’m pleased to meet you.” She rose. “Now, if you’ll excuse me…?”

  “No,” Thomas snapped. “We’re not finished here. Sit down. Now.” Lady Heaton jumped and retook her seat. “Thank you. Now, we have to try and decide how best to deal with all this. Firstly,” he turned to Danielle, “will there be more revelations in next week’s paper?”

  “No,” she whispered.

  “Well, that’s something at least.” He looked at the others. “I would like to get to know you. We’re family whether we like it or not—”

  “And he’s not as scary as he looks,” Stephanie interrupted. “And I’m not quite as stupid as people make out.”

  “Why would they think that?” Peter asked.

  “My ex-boyfriend used to hit me and it was months before I left him. He almost killed me first but I did leave him eventually.”

  “Where is he now?”

  “Descended into hell with a bit of luck. He took an overdose a few months ago.”

  “Good,” Peter replied and Stephanie gave him a little smile.

  “We also mustn’t forget that Sophia and Thomas are getting married soon,” Stephanie added. “And nothing is going to bugger that up. Are we clear on that? Sophia’s had to put up with a hell of a lot here and we are not going to ruin her wedding.”

  “Hear, hear,” Mr Nelson called. “Maria knew, didn’t she?” he asked Danielle. “Maria was Sophia’s mother,” he explained to the others.

  “Yes, she knew. I had to tell someone. She begged me both times not to do it but I wouldn’t listen. It’s all my own fault. How she kept it to herself, I don’t know.”

  “She wrote it down in her journals,” Sophia told her. “But it was a miracle that it didn’t come out when she became ill.”

  “Yes. Poor Maria. I’m so sorry for everything. I’m…I’m not going to drink all the money I got from the paper. I’ve decided that I’m going to book into a clinic.”

  “Don’t make promises you won’t keep,” Don said harshly.

  “I’m not. I’m going to book into a clinic and I’m going to get off the booze once and for all. I overheard the journalist on his phone.” She gave a little humourless smile. “He called me a wrinkled old alky.” There was a shocked silence and she shrugged. “And I looked in the mirror and I saw a wrinkled old alky. I have to do something before I end up a dead wrinkled old alky. I want you back and I don’t want people to pretend that I don’t stink of booze anymore. And I want to get to know all my children and know that they aren’t ashamed of me. The first time Thomas saw me I was drunk. I’m not proud of that. So I’m booking into a clinic.”

  “Good,” Thomas said softly. “And about the wedding; Sophia and I are going to need your help. You’re all invited but there’s a chance that it might not take place on the day we intended. It all depends on whether the press are still interested in us then. Sophia and I are going to see the vicar and see what days are free around the original date and ask him to keep those days free for now. Sophia wants to get married in St Margaret’s, her mother is buried there as you know, so the date issue will be a family secret.”

  There were a couple of smiles. Even Michelle nodded.

  “Thank you. Now, shall we go down to the kitchen and have some coffee?”

  Sophia and Stephanie closed the blinds in the kitchen and Thomas switched the light on.

  “Would anyone prefer tea?” Sophia asked. “I can make a pot of tea, too?”

  “Yes, please,” her father replied.

  “I would, too,” Lady Heaton added.

  “I’ll do the tea if you like?” Stephanie offered.

  “Thanks, I’ll see if I can work the coffee machine.”

  She set it to produce a huge jug of coffee then went to find something for Cathy. The poor little girl was completely bewildered. She eventually found some small cartons of fruit juice in the pantry and was returning to the kitchen when the back door opened and Helen came in.

  “Anything I can do to help?”

  “We’re making tea and coffee. Come in and have some.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Orange or blackcurrant?” She held the cartons out to Cathy.

  “Blackcurrant, please,” Cathy whispered.

  “I’ll open it.” Michelle took the carton.

  Sophia turned away and saw Danielle watch Stephanie make a huge pot of tea before setting out cups and saucers on the worktop.

  “It’ll be easier if everyone helped themselves,” Stephanie told Sophia, who nodded. “Is she staring at me? Danielle?”

  “Yes.”

  “I just don’t know what to say to her. Could ask if she takes milk and sugar, I suppose. Keep an eye on Thoma
s, I think he’s running on autopilot at this stage.”

  “I will. I’ll get the coffee jug.”

  “Tea and coffee,” Stephanie called. “Can everyone help themselves please?”

  Sophia poured two coffees and passed one to Thomas.

  “So far so good.”

  He gave her an exhausted smile. “Yes. Thanks. Do you think she will check into a clinic? Danielle?”

  “Who knows? But I think this has frightened her a hell of a lot. She’s got a lot to do: try and get Don back, and try and get to know you and Stephanie.”

  She watched as Stephanie produced a packet of chocolate biscuits from somewhere and offered one to Cathy before putting the rest on a plate. She then took the plate, went to Danielle and offered her one.

  “Thank you,” Danielle said quietly. “Your boyfriend used to hit you?”

  “Yes. I, um…I lost a baby. And my spleen. It took a long time for the penny to drop and for me to realise that one day he would kill me if I didn’t leave him for good.” Stephanie closed her eyes for a moment. “I don’t know if I should be talking to you like this. I mean, I’ve only just met you, but if I can leave Simon, you can stop drinking. And now I’ll shut up.”

  “No,” Danielle replied softly. “No, you’re right. I am going to stop drinking, I promise.”

  “Good.”

  “Cathy needs the toilet.” Sophia hadn’t heard Michelle approach and jumped.

  “I’ll take you.” She put her cup down. “There’s a toilet under the stairs.”

  “Under the stairs?”

  “Under the half-landing,” Thomas explained. “Give the chain a good pull, it’s a bit temperamental.”

  They went up the stairs and along the corridor to the hall.

  “Here we are.” Sophia opened and closed the door for Cathy before looking around for Michelle, who was at the portraits. “He’s Thomas’ father.” She pointed.

  “Right.”

  “And I’m sorry for deceiving you. The corridor to the kitchen is over there.”