“George wasn’t all bad.” Ellen was saying as Robbo came back into the room.
Ann took her hand, revealing a long sleeved pink pyjama, which covered her bruises.
“It was only in the last few years, he went mad. He got into gambling on top of the drink. I don’t know what got him. He was always rough. He hit me on our honeymoon, but he was fair and he put so much into the children, you included Ann, and he took me on pregnant and all. He wasn’t all bad.”
“I know mom,” Ann said, feeling her mother’s pain and sense of loss at the death of her husband. “It was the Russian led him astray.”
“He sold you. I can never forgive him for that. They found some sort of a receipt in the Russians pocket.”
“His gambling made him do it. He needed the money or they would have got him. He was stupid and weak.” Ann spoke without rancour. Now that George was dead she was putting the horror of the past few years from her head and remembering only the good things, for her own sanity’s sake. And now she had Robbie she could go forward to a new place. A happy place.
“Robbie. What did Peter want?” Ann asked.
“We can marry as soon as you get out of here,” Robbie explained. “He said he would pay for the wedding and let us have a flat.”
“Do you want to do that?” Ann asked.
“Ann, lets take good luck when it comes,” Robbo said sensibly. “Of course we’d marry straight away anyway. I am not letting you out of my reach again that’s for sure.”
Ann smiled at Robbo’s newfound macho confidence. She knew in her heart she belonged to him however he might treat her. She just loved him to bits.
“But,” Robbo continued in responsible tones. “Lets’ not look a gift horse in the mouth. We don’t have to commit to Peter’s proposed help for the long term. But why not go along. It makes him happy. It will give us space. I have to study a lot for the Actuary exams over the next few years.”
“Wonderful” Ellen said, “Lets just count our blessings and start to plan the wedding.”
“Yes.” Ann agreed. “Robbie, get us a few pens and some writing paper. We will start right now.”
Robbo’s heart sang as he went down to the hospital shop. This was what he had hoped for. Ann was putting the past behind her and beginning a new life with him. His new life.
*********
“New term starts soon” Sally said as she and Frank wheeled Franks mother along the pier at Dunlaoighre, taking the air. The mother was sleeping having been put out by the fresh air and the excitement of getting out.
“We should marry before we go back for the next school term,” Frank suggested. “Give them a surprise. I don’t fancy a romance at school with all the talk. Let’s settle it.”
“Suits me,” Sally said happily, giving his arm a hug.
“Ann said I could talk to my son Darra,” Frank added as they had walked a further distance.
“Take it slow and easy.”
“I will, I know it will upset his life, but Jane and I feel he has a right to know. Peter is uneasy but going along with it.”
“That’s’ good.”
“It’s complicated by the fact that Peter has revealed that he has had a daughter all along.”
“Yes Sally, that girl who was sold to the Russian. Ghastly case. My former pupil Robbo came out as a hero. Found them and rescued them.”
“I read the papers, I don’t know what Ireland is coming to,” Sally said, adding after a pause. “You just take your time with Darra, he is at a difficult age.”
“Sally, if I have you at my side I can handle anything.”
“Nice day for the mountains,” Sally said looking at the sky, with the white clouds and sunshine and the fresh breeze pushing the clouds across the face of the sun.
Frank blushed and Sally laughed. They would have plenty visits to the mountains in the years to come. Sally had acquired a taste for the open air.
*********
The guard at the Beaumont Hospital watched the doctor take some of the drips off Adizua and as the doctor departed the nurse began to finish up, cleaning his wounds and helping him sit up in bed.
“You will be able to go to the prison by the end of the week,” she said as her eyes met Adizua’s. He had said little since they had brought him to hospital.
“This is a police man,” the nurse indicated, speaking loudly so the guard at the door could hear her and also in case Adizua had limited English.
Adizua met the eyes of the guard at the door and the guard smiled.
“I’m here to be sure you can’t run away,” he said in a friendly voice. The detective wants your statement as soon as you are able.
“The doctor says he can receive visitors from today,” the nurse said.
Adizua grabbed her arm, as she appeared to be about to move away to other duties. The guard shifted uneasily, but relaxed when Adizua smiled and spoke, “Excuse me” Adizua said, “but the girls. Where are they?”
“The two Itinerants have gone home. The detectives have taken their statements. The third girl has a rich father and he put her into a private hospital. Mount Carmel. She was more disturbed than the others, or so he thought. The guards took her statement also.”
“The young man?” Adizua asked.
“Not a bother on him. Robbo was unhurt. Lucky for you he had called the police. Modern science found you, through the mobile. They tracked the location. You were very ill. I think they might have saved you. You were dehydrated and injured and you lost a lot of blood from your wrist. It seems you cut it trying to saw your way out of the handcuffs. It must have been horrific.”
“You had a lucky escape. And you took care of those two villains, good riddance to them. We don’t need the likes of that in Ireland,” The guard added forcibly.
“Did he kill them both?” the nurse asked, her eyes widening as she looked anew at Adizua. “I did not pick that up from the papers.”
“Don’t mind the papers,” the Guard said dismissively.
Adizua looked at his arm where it was swathed in bandages.
“It will be all right. You will make a full recovery,” the Nurse said, catching the direction of his eyes.
“The girls?” He continued, but the nurse cut across him.
“Don’t worry about them. They are back with their kin. They are a hardy lot. Used to hardship. They weren’t raped.”
Adizua looked at her and she could see the distress in his eyes.
“They will be all right” she said softly, “and don’t mind the papers, the girls said you saved them. He was going to shoot.”
“They are fine,” she added lamely as Adizua continued to be silent and with a lost look on his face.
“One of them said she would come and see you,” the guard added, his rough country accent hiding a softer heart.
“You will let her?” Adizua asked.
“If she comes today, otherwise it will be a prison visit.”
“Am I allowed a phone call?” Adizua asked.
“You’re’ not charged yet. You’re held as a material witness you can make all the calls you want. Now if your papers are not in order you will be charges with illegal entry to the country and then you will be cautioned and allowed one phone call. So make the calls you have to today.”
“You will not get an Itinerant on the phone,” the nurse said, trying to interpret Adizua's request.
“I think he needs a lawyer,” the guard said roughly. “I think that is what the phone call should be for.”
“I need to call my uncle in Nigeria. To sort my papers, he said to ring him if I had difficulty.”
“You’d have to pay” the nurse said, concerned at the potential cost to the health service.
“Is there pay phone?”
Yes, down the hall, but you are not permitted out of the bed.”
‘But...” Adizua began to protest.
“Don’t worry” the nurse cut across him. “Because you are confined to bed I can get you a phone. It plugs in
beside the bed and we charge you for the call. The sooner we get you out of this ward the better. Because you are being held under guard we can’t put anyone else in with you and there are three empty beds in this unit that we need.”
“I’m sorry,” Adizua said.
“I’ll get you the phone” the nurse was happy, having made her point.
“Cup of tea?” the guard offered. He had to watch the patient, but his instructions were to engage in conversation and find out what he could before the real questioning began when the detectives arrived. He had organized a pot and two cups with the help of the auxiliary nurse while the bandages were being changed.
************
“Uncle Chinua?” Adizua asked. It had taken the help of the Hospital Operator and a lot of patience but Adizua was through to Lagos on his uncle’s line.
“Adizua.” Chinua’s voice clearly conveyed his pleasure at hearing from his nephew after such a long time. “Great you call. The phones are good today in Lagos but you know we might be cut off. You must ring back if this happens.”
“Yes uncle, it is wonderful to hear from you also,” Adizua replied and felt close to tears. The warmth of his uncle’s voice brought back all the warmth of his former life in Nigeria and he had a lump in his throat.
“Time you took to ring, how many years Adizua?” His uncle chided.
“I thought it best not to be traced in case there was trouble. You said ring only in an emergency.”
“Yes but that was just for the first time as you travelled, you must have arrived by now. How is England?”
“I am in Ireland, which is an island next to England.”
“I know Ireland” Chinua interrupted. “I know Irish, they are friendly.”
“I have bad news…” Adizua began.
“First good news. Adizua. I know you must be caught if you are ringing in emergency, but let me tell you the good news.”
“What?” Adizua asked, humouring his uncle.
“Swen my partner.”
“Uncle be careful what you say on the phone.”
“Don’t worry. Adizua. Just hear this.”
“Yes?”
“ Swen, you know how he treated the women?”
“Yes uncle. I think he was a disgrace.”
“Swen had too many Nigerian sandwiches and he got the HIV. He has AIDS. So he went to Sweden for better treatment. He stays there now. It is not good for the business but I am glad he is gone. When he went he took the troubles with him. Business is still good, but could be better. Now tell me how you are Adizua.”
Adizua smiled at his uncle’s ability to stay afloat and prosper in the world of Nigerian business and then began his story.
“To be settled took longer than we thought Uncle,” he began. “It took two years of travel to reach this place.”
Adizua came to the point of his call quickly lest they were cut off, as this was not unusual with the Nigerian phone system.
“So what have you told them?” Uncle Chinua asked after a pause.
“Nothing yet Uncle. They come to question me this afternoon and then they take me to prison. A policeman is listening to our conversation. He can hear me but not you. I don’t think the call is monitored.”
“Tell them the Russian has destroyed your papers and I have a copy in Nigeria,” Uncle Chinua advised. “This is an opportunity nephew. You now know the ways of Europe. I need to replace Swen with a reliable man. Swen will train you as our European manager. I will talk to him. You can liaise with Swen as long as he lives. He won’t leave Sweden but their medicine is good and he will live long years. I will arrange everything over the next month. When they let you go, you can go to Sweden on a business visa. Swen will vouch for you and get you a visa. Longer term who knows? Maybe I should arrange a wife for you?”
“No Uncle. I have met an Irish girl.”
“Not to worry. Do you wish me to talk to Swen?”
“Yes uncle, let us do what you suggest.”
“Good, I know the Irish. They are pragmatic. If they think you will leave the country quietly they will be delighted. If we can organize things you might be able to go direct to Sweden. I will talk to officials, dash a little cash and straighten things this end.”
“They may not let me leave,” Adizua said doubtfully.
“Nonsense you have not committed a crime. You have just described to me, how you defended yourself and those unfortunate women.”
“Time will tell uncle.”
“Don’t worry Adizua. Now let me tell you about your sister and your relations. They are all well.”
Adizua listened with a smile on his face as his uncle continued in his exuberant upbeat un-defeatable voice, with the news of the past years happenings of those he loved in Nigeria. Adizua concluded that all would be well and he delighted in hearing about his family. But he longed to see Megan again.
******
“What do you think?” Sonia asked anxiously. They stood side by side in the undecorated shop of her new leasehold.
“Location is good. A side road off Molesworth Street won’t get a passing trade, possibly,” Samuel suggested.
“Well there is a parking building with five stories just up the next street. This should draw people who will walk down this road on route to Grafton Street. And there are a couple of up market restaurants already on this street. This location is an old medical practice. But I think it has enough space for what I want.” Sonia said.
“How does it compare with Ranelagh?” Samuel asked, adding with a smile, “where we met.”
Sonia smiled and kissed Samuels cheek. “I thought you were having a heart attack that day.”
“I nearly did Sonia, I was so excited.”
“Come and let me show you the back room where the kitchens are. I know the total space is less than Ranelagh. But I really learned a lot during my stint as a waitress. I think this will work I only want to do breakfast sandwiches and lunches.”
“Well there is a lot of office staff in the general area.” Samuel conceded, “If you get known there should be plenty of that sort of business.”
“Wish me luck. I am going to confirm the lease today.”
“Good luck” Samuel said with a grin. “Of course as my wife you won’t need to work, you do know that.”
“Yes Samuel dear, but I want to have my own place. Jane promised to help. She seems to have a good business head.”
“I am glad you get on well with Jane. I like her.”
“So do I Samuel. We advise each other and we get on, which is good,” Sonia said with a little smile.
“When will Sara replace you in Morehampton Road?”
“Next week Samuel. I just have to sort out that unfortunate affair over the Itinerant girl I had employed.”
“What is to happen with her? I read all the details in the papers. Horrific, if I may say so” Samuel made a disapproving frown.
“The dark side of the sex industry. There is a lot of slavery in Europe. The police don’t seem to be able to cope. However all is well in this case. And we are well rid of Ivan, he was no good.”
“Did the girl steal that money?”
“No, not at all. That was a stratagem by Ivan to put us off the scent while he kidnapped Megan and her friend. She came with her father when she got out of hospital. She wanted to be sure we were not after her. She wanted to clear her name. Poor thing she was all bruised and she had two broken fingers. She was horribly treated.”
“So you settled it?”
“Yes Samuel, subject to Solveig signing off which he now has done so I just have to pay them.”
“Pay them?”
“Yes, Samuel, to mollify the father we agreed to pay five thousand Euro to each of the girls and ten thousand to the father. This was on condition that they did not mention any connection with Morehampton road, as far as they could and not bring us to the attention of the press.”
“So far so good?”
“Fortunately so far the press has conce
ntrated on the young hero Robbo. There will be the inquests to come and hopefully we can keep a wrap on things. We have given the girl her job back, the father was a bit reluctant but she was insistent. It seems her maternal grandmother came from the settled community and filled Megan’s head with stories of big houses and goings on. Megan has always wanted to get out of the Itinerant way of life and try what she thinks will be better. Brave little girl.”
“And when that is settled, you are free?” Samuel asked.
“ Subject to that I am free. That is if you still want me Samuel.”
“Want you, of course I do. You are my future. You bring your boy over from Russia and we will be a little family.”
“You are my future also Samuel,” Sonia said softly.
“Sonia.” Samuel suggested. “By way of christening your new restaurant, do you think we could make love in the back room. I have a huge desire to take all your clothes off.”
“Sounds good to me.” Sonia said agreeably.
****
The nurse showed Megan in and Adizua brightened up immediately.
“Connor.” he said to the guard, “have you met Megan?”
“Pleased to meet you” the guard said standing up.
“Leave them a bit of privacy Connor,” The nurse who had accompanied Megan to the ward instructed.
“Well…” the guard began.
“Outside Connor, outside the door. This young man won’t be running anywhere and the only way out is the door. Wait outside and let them have a talk. They went through a lot together. Come on, on I’ll get you a cup of tea.”
“Fifteen minutes and I’ll be just outside,” The guard said stiffly.
“Thanks Connor.” Adizua said, and with the help of the nurse he sat up in bed. The guard and the nurse disappeared and Megan sat on the edge of the bed.
One of her hands was bandaged. “Broken fingers,” she said and touched Adizua’s bandaged arm with hers. Then they held hands with their good hands. Megan leaned over and carefully kissed Adizua’s lips. The hunger rose in both of them and they could scarcely manage to part their lips. Their eyes melted towards each other with messages of unspoken love. They kissed again and Megan sat back to have a look at Adizua.
Love on the Dark Side of the City Page 28