The Silence

by Linda Tweedie

  On the surface, things had gone back to normal fairly quickly after the Spanish ordeal. The trauma Erin had endured was thankfully overshadowed by the return of her voice. Once more she was trailed round physicians and doctors in the hope that now it had returned, it would stay so. Just like before, no-one could give any guarantees. But the real elephant in the room was her pregnancy. As far as her father was concerned, it didn’t exist. It was never referred to within his earshot. He completely ignored the fact that his daughter was soon to give birth.

  Erin had returned to her studies, more as an excuse to get out of the house and away from the atmosphere than for the academic pleasure. However, she seldom socialised with any of her old friends, choosing to spend time with her aunt Marie and Carol, both of whom she felt most comfortable with. As she was nearing her time, she seldom strayed far from home.

  She’d tried desperately to regain the relationship she’d once had with Paddy, but he kept his distance and the nearer to her confinement the less time he spent at home, choosing to be at work or Lizzie’s instead.

  He couldn’t wait for it to be all over and then he would put his plan into action. He had decided that as soon as it was possible, he was moving Erin and the brat out. He’d make sure she wanted for nothing, it wasn’t some kind of perverse punishment; he just couldn’t stand the situation. It was bad enough seeing her everyday, a constant reminder of the past, but to add a McClelland into the mix was too much. His home was no longer his.

  Of course, he would get grief from Bridget, that was only to be expected. The girl would surely want her independence, he cited Carol and her youngster as a prime example. He still loved Erin with all his heart, but, try as he might, he could not come to terms with the cuckoo in the nest. As he saw it, this was the only way for his marriage and his family to survive and he prayed that things would eventually change.

  No point in staying in bed, she’d been uncomfortable most of the night and had hardly slept a wink. No matter what way she turned, Junior objected. Going downstairs to the kitchen, she found herself alone with Paddy for the first time in weeks.

  “Morning,” he grunted from behind the newspaper. Never a morning person, this response was not unusual.

  “Morning, where’s Mum?” she asked him.

  “She’s gone over to your gran’s. She had a fall last night and they’re waiting on the doctor.”

  “Is she okay?”

  “Yeah, yeah, it’s just precautionary.”

  “Do you want some breakfast? I’m starving. I feel like I’m eating for three, not two,” laughed the girl.

  Paddy rose from the table, “No, you’re alright, thanks,” he replied, leaving the kitchen.

  This was ridiculous, Erin thought. When she walked into a room, he walked out. It was as if he couldn’t bear the sight of her and she’d had enough. One way or another this was going to stop. Not only did she feel like crap, but with the lack of sleep and hormones all over the place, she couldn’t deal with him behaving like a sulky teenager.

  “I’m sick and tired of this carry-on, as soon as this baby is born I’m out of here,” she yelled at her dad’s retreating form. “Did you hear me? I said I’m leaving.”

  “Yes, I heard you. Why wait? Don’t let me stop you, you could be in Spain by lunchtime. I’ll give Ritchie a call if you like.”

  “Spain? Why the fuck would I want to go to Spain?” she yelled back at him.

  “To be with your scumbag boyfriend, cos that’s what he is, a scumbag. He’s hardly been bashing down the door to rescue you or claim you as his woman, has he?”

  “I hate you,” she shouted at him. “I really,

  really . . .”

  Then silence. Damn, her voice had been breaking up all week and for the moment it had gone. Paddy walked out the front door, slamming it with all his might. She’d never said she hated him before, and she swore at him. His Erin had actually sworn at him. Could she really hate him? Surely not?

  He jumped into the car and roared off. Okay, so he’d been told to stay with her until Bridget got back, in case anything happened, but bugger them, this kid had nothing to do with him. What was all that about her voice? Why had it gone again? Maybe the shouting had strained it. Dear God, surely she hadn’t lost it again? That would finish him and Bridget; she’d never forgive him if anything else happened to Erin.

  It wasn’t his fault, she was the one doing all the shouting, but he had to admit he hadn’t helped the situation. Why the fuck had he mentioned Spain? She’d looked quite shocked, obviously he’d hit a nerve. Christ, Bridget would kill him if she came home and he’d deserted his post.

  Erin was doubled up with cramps. Jesus, the pain. This couldn’t be normal. She crawled on her hands and knees across the kitchen floor and managed to retrieve her phone. Oh, where was everybody? And her bloody voice had given up on her again. Clutching her mobile she dialled her mother, but it went straight to voicemail. Carol. No reply. Of course, she’d be in the salon. No joy from Marie either. She’d be damned if she was going to phone him, not after that performance. But there was something wrong. She heard the crunch of tyres on the gravel. Thank God, she thought as she let out an ear-splitting scream.

  By the time the paramedics arrived, the proud grandfather was handing his bawling grandson over to the new mother.

  “By God, he’s a Coyle alright.”

  The News

  “Senor Bobby, Senor Bobby, phone, phone,” called Jose from inside the villa.

  “Okay, just a minute. Hello, who’s speaking?”

  “It’s a boy, 7lb 4ozs, born yesterday,” the line clicked off.

  He walked over to the pool house, “She’s had the sprog. A boy.”

  “Congratulations,” whispered the inhabitant.

  For a sneak preview of the sequel to The Silence

  THE BETRAYAL

  Read on . . .

  Happy Families

  “This is your Captain speaking. Welcome aboard Flight BA 345 to Malaga. We are now cruising at 50,000ft and the outside temperature is minus 40 deg. Our estimated time of arrival is 12.08 . . .”

  It seemed a lifetime ago since the passengers in seats 1A, B and C had last heard that announcement and dear God, how all their lives had changed over the past year. For starters, Erin had no fear that her father would storm the plane and carry her off. No, that fear was long gone. Mainly because she and Paddy were again not on speaking terms. He was furious that not only was she taking his six-month-old grandchild out of the country, but that she was entering that den of vipers. His parting shot that morning as she left for the airport had been:

  “Don’t coming running back to me when this all goes tits up. You’ve made your bed, lady. Shame you’ve already lain in it.”

  “Oh, piss off, Dad and give it a rest. I’m only going for a couple of weeks and it’s only fair they should get to know the baby. Whether or not you like it, he is as much a McClelland as he is a Coyle.”

  The slamming of the door shook the whole house.

  As usual her mother didn’t say a word, but Erin knew she was the one who ruled the roost and would calm her dad down.

  “God, I can’t believe we’re on our way back,” said her companion nervously. “Are you sure you’re doing the right thing?”

  “It’s a bit late now, we can hardly get off at the next stop,” Erin laughed. “Look, if it all goes belly up, we’ll take the next flight home, it’s that simple.”

  Carol wasn’t quite so confident about the reception they would receive in Spain, but once again she was here to cover Erin’s back and give her moral support. Whatever happened, she reasoned it couldn’t top their last visit. Christ. Murder, kidnapping and fleeing the country. Not exactly a Thomson’s week in the sun.

  “Hey, listen, I’m not taking shit from either of them, especially the mother. She insisted she wanted to get to know her grandson, so she better play ball with me. This time I’m calling the shots.”

  “Are you sure? Do you think Bobby
will be okay? Remember, he’s back on his own turf and you

  don’t have the infamous Paddy Coyle standing right behind you.”

  “I know, but Paddy Coyle is only three hours away and Bobby is well aware of that.”

  “True, but you better hope he doesn’t find out the situation between you and Paddy.”

  “Don’t worry, my dad will be fine. Going a few days without seeing his precious grandson will soon have him begging for forgiveness. Anyway, Mum won’t let it go on, not after what happened the last time.”

  “Well, I hope you’re right! What sort of reception can we expect? Do they know we’re arriving today?” Carol asked her.

  “No, they know I’m coming sometime this week, but not exactly when. It sounds a bit weird but I wanted to be in control from the start, so we’ll get the kids settled and have a bit of us-time before entering the lion’s den.”

  “Don’t say things like that,” shivered Carol. “I can’t stop thinking about the last trip.”

  “Me too, but remember, neither Bobby or his mother had anything to do with what went on before.”

  “I’m not so sure. I wouldn’t trust either of them as far as I could throw them,” replied Carol.

  “That’s one of the reasons I’ve kept it low key. They’ll only know we’re here when I choose to tell them. Stop worrying, we’ll have a nice couple of days, top up the tan, and then . . .”

  At that precise moment a stewardess approached them carrying an ice bucket containing a bottle of champagne and a couple of glasses.

  “Miss Coyle?”

  “Yeah,” answered Erin.

  “Champagne, compliments of Mr Bobby Mack.”

  The woman expertly opened the bottle, poured out two glasses and handed them to the surprised passengers.

  “They don’t know when we’re arriving?” Carol sneered! “ Don’t know what flight we are on?”

  “What can I say?” a dumbstruck Erin replied.

  “And you think you’re in control? It’s you calling the shots? Oh, it looks like it. And what does the card say?” She grabbed the small note before her friend could.

  “‘Can’t wait to see you, meet you at three, everything taken care of, Love Bobby.’ Well, so much for the ‘us time’,” Carol laughed. “Seriously, you need to be very careful. This guy has a lot of pull here. I just don’t trust him at all.”

  Despite her friend’s warning, Erin was secretly delighted. There was no way she was going to fall for Bobby the way she had before, but he was the father of her baby and of course she had ‘happy ever after dreams’, but she wouldn’t be taken in a second time, she had her son to consider.

  Titles by the Same Author

  Life Behind Bars:

  Confessions of a Pub Landlady

  Life on the Outside:

  The Lunatics have taken over the Asylum

  Life in the Fat Lane:

  Chocolate after Midnight doesn’t Count