“Over my dead body.”
There was a short, uncomfortable silence. Derek took Jean’s hand.
“Come on, love. I think we should go.”
“No! Not without William and Jack,” Jean said.
“I think you should listen to Derek, Jean,” Emma said. “We’ll talk about this when you’re a bit calmer.”
Jean followed Derek out of the house, leaving Emma and Charlie in the living room. Standing outside, Jean held onto Derek. This was the news she was dreading. She now believed that Emma was pregnant and was waiting to hit them with that bombshell. Jean wasn’t sure she could much more. It was like Emma was playing games with their lives and enjoying every minute of it.
Chapter 26
Later that night, Jean got up out of bed and went upstairs. Derek was fast asleep and there was little chance of him waking up. Grabbing her laptop, she pulled a chair from under the kitchen table and loaded Emma’s Facebook page. More pictures of Charlie had been added, and Jean even noticed that one of the pictures were taken in Eddie’s bedroom.
Jean wanted to slap the screen. This was Eddie’s home, and Emma and her new boyfriend were violating it. Scrolling down the page, Jean saw a picture of Emma with another girl. According to the status update, the girl was called Rachel Guernsey. She looked the same age as Emma, but had long red curly hair, with a generous amount of freckles across her nose and cheeks. They were both holding beer bottles in their hands and sticking their tongues out at the camera. Jean spied on Rachel’s profile, which stated she lived in Leeds and worked at the Horse and Jockey Pub in Headingley. Jean got her notebook and wrote the information down before putting the notebook in her handbag. Maybe if she went to see this Rachel, then she could shed some light on Emma, and why she really left London.
Jean went to the Horse and Jockey pub to find Rachel. She wasn’t sure what she would say to her. What was the right thing to do? Jean wasn’t sure. This Rachel might be still in contact with Emma. If so, she’d tell her that Jean had been asking questions. But Jean couldn’t allow doubt to creep into the way of her mission. She had to find out more about Emma Chigwell.
The pub was in Headingley. Jean drove over, parked her car in the car park, and waited before she went inside. There weren’t many people around. As she entered, she looked around. She saw no sign of Rachel. The tall, white boy behind the bar looked at her as though she was strange. So she went up to the bar and got her purse out of her bag.
“A mineral water, please,” Jean ordered.
The boy smiled slightly. “Sure. Any ice?”
“In this weather?” Jean asked. “No thanks.”
Jean took her money, counting out every copper, before placing it on the bar. The barman took the cash and handed Jean her drink. Jean sipped her water and looked around again. The barman was wiping the bar when Jean turned to him.
“Excuse me?” Jean asked. “Is Rachel working today?”
“Who wants to know?”
“I’m a friend of hers. Is she here?”
The barman lifted a single eyebrow. “Her shift starts in twenty minutes.”
“Thanks.”
Jean took her drink to a nearby empty table and waited. Everything I do, by Bryan Adams, was playing in the background, reminding Jean of her and Derek’s wedding. They’d also danced to it at their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary in nineteen-ninety-five. Such happy times, Jean thought. Her life wasn’t perfect, but who could ever say that? She was content with her family, her son. But now, everything had changed.
Jean sipped her mineral water, ordered another one, and waited. Her anxiety was high. She repeatedly told herself that she was doing the right thing. She couldn’t let Emma win. Not again.
Time was pressing on, and Jean was about to leave when a young woman approached the table. “Are you looking for me?”
“Are you Rachel?” Jean asked. The woman sat beside Jean. “What do you want?”
“I wanted to have a word.”
“Oh yeah? What about?”
“I want you to tell me all you know about Emma Chigwell.”
“Emma?”
“I know she’s a friend of yours.”
“How do you know that?”
“This is important.”
“Who are you?”
“My name is Jean Saunders. Emma was married to my son before he was killed.”
Rachel rubbed the back of her neck. “What’s that got to do with me?”
“I don’t trust her,” Jean said. “I think she’s dangerous. The fact is: She’s looking after my grandchildren, and I’m worried about their safety.”
Rachel got up. “I’m sorry. I can’t help you.”
Jean grabbed her hand. “I know that’s not true. I wouldn’t be here if I weren’t desperate. I have to protect my grandchildren.”
“That’s your problem. Isn’t it?”
“Yes, you’re right. It is my problem, and I’m trying to solve it. I promise you that I will not get you into any trouble. Emma will never know that we’ve been in contact. Please, just five minutes and I’ll never bother you again.”
Rachel sat back down. “Look, I don’t want to keep going over the past. I’m trying to get on with my life.”
“And that’s great. I’m not trying to make things difficult for you. But I do need to know about Emma.”
“Why? What has she done?”
“What makes you think she’s done anything?”
“The way you’re acting, all nervous and scared.”
“I’m not scared of Emma.”
“You should be,” Rachel said.
“What do you mean by that?” Jean asked her.
“Nothing.”
Jean looked at her. Strangely enough, Rachel was the one who now looked scared. Rachel wasn’t as pretty as Emma, but she had a look of vulnerability about her. She was loud. Jean could see that from her abrasive countenance, but something was lying beneath that.
“Why should I be scared?”
“I said it’s—”
“She is in charge of my grandchildren. Is she safe to be around them? Is she safe to be around my family?”
Rachel nodded. “Look, Emma does what she wants. She always has. She gets away with it because she comes across all nice and proper. People respect her. Whereas me? They think I’m thick — a bit of a loser. We were at school together. And she took me under her wing. Everybody wanted to be her friend. I started hanging out with her, and there was this boy that she fancied. But he liked me. We went out together for a bit. Emma changed. She started making fun of me and putting me down. Telling lies about me to everyone. Everybody believed everything she said. Nobody would talk to me. I was an outcast. She made my life hell. I had to quit school because of her bullying. Then I got a job working in this office. Emma started there six months later. It started all over again. People were whispering behind my back. She started telling lies to my boss and my colleagues. Suddenly, I was the joke of the office. It got so bad that I lashed out at her. I hit her. My boss fired me. I can’t believe I let her ruin my life again.”
Jean took a tissue out of her bag and handed it to Rachel. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to drag it all up again for you.”
“Well, you’re right to be worried.”
“Didn’t you tell anyone, family, close friends?”
“I was adopted. My parents died when I was young. I had no friends because she turned everybody against me.”
“I am so sorry about what she did to you.”
“It’s not your fault. But I never want to see Emma again.”
“You won’t. She’s out of your life. Pity I can’t say the same thing.”
“You said she was married to your son?” Rachel asked.
“Yes. His name was Eddie.”
“He won’t have been her first husband.”
“You mean she was married before?”
“That’s all I’m saying.”
“Please—”
“You
need to get rid of Emma Chigwell. She’s dangerous. She doesn’t hit you or physically harm you. She’s way too clever for that.” Rachel pointed to her head. “It’s all in here. She chips away at your confidence, your mind, and everything until you’re nothing. If you don’t get her out of your life, she’ll destroy everything.”
“I’m sorry,” Jean said.
Jean stretched her hand across the table, but Rachel got up. “I need to get back to work.”
“Thanks,” Jean said.
“With due respect, I’d rather you didn’t contact me again.”
Jean smiled softly as Rachel went back to the bar and begun serving customers. She picked up her bag and made her way to the door, glancing one last time at Rachel before she left.
When Jean got home later that Friday afternoon, she heard voices coming from the living room. She hung her coat up, walked into the living room, and found Derek and Meredith sitting on the couch. They both looked at her anxiously.
“Meredith? What are you doing here?” Jean asked.
“Hello, Jean.”
“Meredith just came round for a chat,” Derek said.
“Oh what about?”
“How about I make you some tea?” Derek said. He got up and walked towards the door.
“I'm okay, thank you,” Jean told him. “What did you want to talk about?”
Derek and Meredith looked at each other. “We’re worried about you, Jean,” Derek said.
“Worried about me?” Jean asked.
“Derek and I've just been discussing you, and we think that this obsession with Emma has gone quite far enough,” Meredith said.
“My obsession with Emma?” Jean said.
“Well, just at your behaviour last night with the drinking. We think that maybe you should consider some help before it goes too far. The therapy isn’t working.”
“Sierra is a great therapist.”
“If she is such a great therapist, why are you so obsessed with Emma?” Meredith asked.
“I’m not obsessed with Emma,” Jean said. “And I would appreciate it if you didn’t come around and have secret discussions with my husband. You’re supposed to be my sister. Or doesn’t that count for anything anymore?”
“We were not having secret discussions about you, Jean. We’re just worried about you. That’s all.”
“When have you ever been worried about me?”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“I’ve been telling you about Emma all along, and you will not listen to me. It’s like she’s bewitched you. You’re not sleeping with her are you?” Jean asked Derek.
“Jean, how could you?” Meredith asked.
“What am I supposed to think?”
“You’re supposed to think that I’m your husband and you trust me,” Derek countered.
“You don’t trust me, do you? Nothing I say to you is sinking in. Is it?” Jean accused.
“Because it doesn’t make sense. You don’t like Emma, and I get it. But the way you’ve been behaving, frankly, Jean I’m ashamed. I’m embarrassed.”
Meredith stood up. “Maybe I should go. I shouldn’t have come.”
“No, you shouldn’t,” Jean said. “And I’d prefer if you didn’t come back.”
“She doesn’t mean it,” Derek soothed.
“I mean every single word,” Jean insisted.
Meredith nodded and walked out of the living room. Derek saw her out. When he returned, he glared at Jean.
“That’s your sister.”
“Yeah, and she’d rather believe Emma’s lies than me. It’s not me you should be preaching to about family.”
Jean went into the kitchen and poured herself a glass of water. Derek followed her.
“You’re going to end up losing everything if you carry on like this.”
“I’m not going to let her take my grandchildren away from me. You might have been taken in by her, but I haven’t. I know what she’s planning to do, and I’m going to stop her.”
Derek shook his head and went upstairs. Jean pulled a chair from under the table and sat. Burying her head in her hands, she couldn’t understand how her family had fallen under Emma’s spell. And why it felt like she’d lost everything she held dear.
Chapter 27
The following morning, Derek gave Jean a lift to work. They were waiting outside the medical centre in the car.
“I’ll pick you up,” he said.
“What about work?”
“I’ll finish early.”
“I don’t need babysitting, Derek.”
“I’m just looking out for you. You are my wife.” “I’ll see you later.”
“Jean?” Derek said before she got out of the car.
“Yes.”
“Please don’t go back to Emma’s house. You’ll only make things worse.”
“It’s not Emma’s house. It’s Eddie’s house. And those are Eddie’s children.”
Derek drove off once Jean had gotten out of the car. Jean walked into the medical centre where Francis was sorting through some files on the reception desk.
“Morning Jean?” she said.
“Morning.” “My Lord, you look awful.”
“I didn’t sleep too well last night.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’ll be fine.”
“I’ll make you a coffee. That usually works for me.”
“Thanks.”
Jean went into the staff office and hung up her coat and bag. She then noticed Alison by the door.
“Morning, Jean?” Alison said. But it was the way she greeted her that alarmed Jean.
“Morning.”
“How are you?”
“Fine, thanks.”
“Good. Can I have a word in my office?”
Jean followed Alison into her office and sat down at the desk. Alison closed the door and ran a jerky hand through her hair.
“So, how do you think things are going?” she asked Jean.
“Good as far as I know. I have no complaints.”
“Good,” Alison replied. “Jean, you’ve been with the practice a long time. You’re fully aware of our values and procedures. And our strict guidelines on confidentially.”
“Yes, but I’m not sure I understand what you’re trying to say.”
“We’ve had a complaint. Apparently, you’ve been sharing confidential information about patients.”
Jean clapped her chest with her hand. “Me?”
Alison nodded. “Yes, I’m afraid so.”
“Who complained?”
“I am not at liberty to say.”
“You don’t believe this, do you?”
“Unfortunately we have to investigate.”
“But it isn’t true. I have worked for this medical centre for nearly thirty years. Have you ever known me to disrespect the patients or my colleagues? Have I ever been anything but courteous, punctual, and honest?” Alison dropped her head and briefly closed her eyes. “Jean, you are and have been a very valued member of this team. But please understand that we have to take allegations like this very seriously. It’s nothing personal, it’s just have to investigate. The safety of our patients come first.”
Jean shook her head. “So what happens now?”
“There will be an investigation. You will be required to take some leave until the investigation is completed.”
“I’m being fired?”
“Suspended.”
“But this job is all I’ve got left,” Jean pleaded.
“I am sorry, Jean. There’s really nothing else I can do.”
That evening, Jean found herself banging on Emma’s door. When Charlie answered, she saw her grandson Jack, standing behind him. He came towards her, but Charlie pulled him away.
“Where is Emma?” Jean asked.
“She’s asleep.”
“I want her to see her. Now.”
“Well, you can’t.”
Jean pushed past him and stood in the hall. Emma came down the
staircase. She was dressed in a nightdress, and her hair was falling around her face.
“Hello, Jean?”
“It was you wasn’t it?”
“What was me?”
“You reported me to my boss. I’ve lost my job.”
“Jean I really think you should go,” Emma said. “You’re upsetting the children.”
Jean looked and saw the boys standing in the hall. She went up to them, but they walked away from her.
“Boys, it’s me, nana.”
William and Jack ran past her and went up to Emma. She cradled them in her arms.
“They’re frightened of me.”
“Whose fault is that?” Emma said.
“Yours.”
“Oh come on Jean?”
“Do you want me to call the police?” Charlie asked.
Jean went towards the boys again, but they arced away from her. Jean was heartbroken.
“I think you better go, Jean,” Emma said.
“You’re not going to get away with this. I’ve lost everything because of you.”
“Goodbye, Jean,” Emma said before she closed the door.
Jean got into her car and slapped the steering wheel time and time again. Losing her son was heart-breaking, but losing her grandsons would tear her world apart.
Chapter 28
The next day, Jean was so confused she didn’t know what to do. Sitting at the kitchen table, she began searching for Emma’s Facebook profile. There were more pictures of Charlie and the boys. Snapshots of Charlie cuddling William and Jack and others of Emma and the boys eating ice-cream. Jean’s mouth opened, and her tongue pushed slightly forward as she scrolled down the page. Then a comment struck her. A woman called Myra Jackson left it.
You have no right to be happy, Emma Baker. Not after what you did to poor Simon and his family. What goes around comes around xxx
Emma Baker. Who was Emma Baker? Jean clicked on Myra’s name and landed on her profile. Her details said she was living in Leeds and that she had 417 friends. Jean clicked on her friend's list and searched for anyone with a surname called Baker. She found two, one was Simon, and the other was Cathy.
The Perfect Wife Page 17