by Peter Martin
Maria worried over how to tell her parents about her problems with Bob, on top of everything else. But as she drank her tea, it all came tumbling out.
‘Bob and I have split up.’
‘Oh no,’ her father sighed.
‘As bad as that is it?’ Her mother said.
She spent the next fifteen minutes telling them the whole story, from when she first sat for the portrait, up to when she stormed off in her car. Finally she said, ‘But I’ve done nothing wrong…’
‘How could he be taken in so easily?’
‘If you ask me, Joe, he was just looking for an excuse,’ her mother, who had never liked Bob, said.
‘Well, whatever you think, I had to leave. You see he wouldn’t listen to my side of things, although I didn’t really have anything to explain because I hadn’t done anything. But the thing is…I need somewhere to stay while I get back on my feet. Would you mind if I stopped here for the time being?’ She coughed nervously into her closed right hand.
‘Of course, darling. That goes without saying, doesn’t it Elsie?’
She nodded in agreement.
‘Unfortunately, what with this and Tim, I never found myself a job up north, so I’ll have to start looking now I’m back here. But I’m not sure I want to go back to the supermarket though.’
‘No need to fret over that. Take your time, you can stay here as long as you like, and we don’t want any money off you either.’
‘Thanks dad, I’m really grateful.’ She leaned over to kiss them both on the cheek.
‘It’ll be like old times again. It’s wonderful to have you back. What a shame Tim isn’t with you. We do so miss having him around as well you know. If only he’d turn up safe and sound.’ Maria’s mother clasped her hands together as if she was about to pray for this.
‘I know mum.’ Maria’s face crumpled in pain.
Her father went to hold her close until she’d gained control, saying, ‘Like to sleep in your old room?’
‘Yeah, I’d love to. That room and this house have so many memories for me – before everything started to go wrong.’
How very strange to be in the bed she’d last slept in eighteen years ago, she thought. Sad too, but she felt much safer knowing she was with her parents again rather than being alone.
Over the next couple of days, she caught up with the gossip, and all the other news, and thoroughly enjoyed their company. They talked of the good old days when she was a kid. Maria was made to feel as comfortable and happy as possible in her current situation.
It was a shame she had to go back into the real world, but she couldn’t live off her parents’ charity forever. She needed a job and a place of her own and the sooner she faced up to it, the better.
Initially she’d toyed with the idea of returning to the supermarket where she’d last worked, but with everyone knowing about Tim’s disappearance, there’d be lots of awkward questions she didn’t want to answer. And now moving back without Bob the gossipmongers would have a heyday speculating God knows what!
With little experience in anything else, it wouldn’t be easy to find a job. Then looking at the jobs on the Dexford Council internet site, she came across two teaching assistant positions and a library assistant job based in the children’s section. She’d helped out at the local school, just after Tim had started school, and although it had been short lived, she had enjoyed the experience.
She filled in the three application forms and mentioned her involvement at the local school; after all she needed to be positive to find employment.
A week later she received a letter inviting her for an interview for the part time job at the library.
On the day of the interview she left the house in good time and arrived early. Several other people were waiting in the reception area, and she wondered if they too were applicants. When she heard her name called, for some reason she felt quietly confident, even though three interviewers sat before her. Her previous work with children seemed of interest to them, and she thought the answers she gave to their questions were what they wanted to hear. Apparently the library’s large children’s department also catered for special needs, and Maria was of the opinion this was just the job for her.
Back at home, later that afternoon she received a phone call offering her the job, subject to two satisfactory references. She was elated. Perhaps finally, her luck was turning.
In truth Bob missed Maria more than he’d admit to anyone. Living on his own left a void he was finding hard to fill. When he’d left home in his late teens, he’d chosen to live alone. But this was a different matter altogether. And although living alone gave him a measure of freedom, he couldn’t help thinking he’d taken Maria for granted over the years when it came to doing the laundry and cleaning not to mention the cooking.
The weekends were the most difficult to bear as during the week he had his work colleagues to talk to. He could have gone out with them, but they were younger and had little in common with him. So the trauma of the demise of his marriage had to be faced alone.
One morning, a few weeks later, he’d got up late, after having a takeaway and too many beers the night before. Now still in his pyjamas and bathrobe drinking a cup of tea, he sat perched on a stool, feeling sorry for himself. He was brought back to reality by the doorbell ringing.
At first his heart beat faster, for a split second he thought it might be Maria, come to talk him round, but on opening the door, instead he faced a rather embarrassed looking Debra. His eyes widened with surprise, and for a few seconds, he was lost for words.
She was unable to meet his gaze and her face reddened as she said, ‘Look, sorry to bother you like this, but I wondered if I could have a word.’
‘Is there really any point?’ He replied, leaning against the door, pulling his bathrobe round him.
‘Yes, there is. I just wanted to explain a few things to you – but please, I haven’t come for a row – far from it.’
‘That’s fine. Don’t worry I’ve got no axe to grind with you – after all we’re both in the same situation, both victims in their tawdry affair. All right, you’d better come in.’ He stepped back, and allowed her to walk into the house, saying, ‘Go through to the living room and sit yourself down, and please excuse the mess.’ The evidence of last night’s meal was still on view.
She sat on the edge of the settee at one end while he sat on the other.
‘How are you after what happened?’
He laughed with much irony. ‘I’ve felt better, I must admit.’
‘Me too. But Alan’s gone too if you didn’t already know.’
‘I gathered as much.’
‘Packed his bags and left the same night you came round – and I haven’t seen him since.’
‘Really. Maria left the same night as well. What she did was unforgivable after the heartbreak we’ve suffered these last few months.’
‘Honestly Bob, I knew nothing about it. I was horrified when you and Maria came round. Even though things hadn’t been brilliant between me and Alan, I never dreamed he’d pull a stunt like that.’
‘Did you never suspect anything over the number of times she kept coming over?’
‘No, I saw the evidence, the painting and thought nothing more of it. I never believed him capable of committing adultery. He’s done a few things, but never that.’
‘Maria neither. We haven’t got on so well recently, with the strain of Tim going missing - but for God’s sake why did she do it? Life hasn’t been easy for us, and I did make allowances for that, but now it’s just too much for me to take.’
‘Are they living together somewhere?’
‘I don’t know and I don’t care. But whatever she does now, I’ll never have her back – that’s for sure.’
‘I won’t take Alan back either. I admit I’m partly to blame because I wasn’t the wife he wanted me to be after our daughter died. But who would be? I couldn’t forgive him, you see – that’s what all our arguments were about.
I accept he didn’t mean to kill her, but he did. He didn’t look back when he was reversing out of the garage, and was so intent on getting to that appointment, he didn’t see her and ran over her.’ She sniffed back the tears.
‘How awful. But no matter how badly you treated him, you can’t help your feelings, and no one can put up with adultery.’
‘No, that’s true, and the same goes for Maria.’
‘Even though I was angry when she left, at times I feel so low – as if things can’t get much worse, but they do.’
‘So have you made any plans, Bob?’
‘Not really. Can’t think that far ahead. You?’
‘No, but I won’t be seeing Alan again. That definitely was it for me. Do you intend going back to Dexford?’
‘There’s nothing there for me now except bad memories. Even if I went back I’d have to get another job. Anyway I’m settled here, and have made a few friends, so for the foreseeable future I’ll stay put.’
‘Me too unless I’m forced to leave. My family come from around here so that won’t be a problem. I hope we can be friends as well as neighbours. Any time you want to pop round for a cup of tea and a chat – you’re more than welcome.’
‘Thanks Debra, I might take you up on that sometime.’
She smiled, then got up, and left, saying she didn’t want to intrude further. He quite liked her, she seemed pleasant and caring, but he couldn’t fathom what had gone on between her and Alan. Obviously he hadn’t intentionally killed their daughter, but was there more to it?
Chapter 22
Three weeks had passed since Maria had started her job at the library, and it seemed to be working out well. She worked thirty hours per week, which included the occasional Saturday. On one such Saturday morning as she stood behind the library counter she saw a face from her distant past. He’d gone a little grey and now wore glasses. Holding his hand was a little girl, presumably his daughter. She looked to be about ten years old and was talking to him about the book she was returning.
Twenty years had passed since their last meeting and even now she felt self-conscious. He handed Maria the books, and she sensed his eyes staring down at her, a smile on his face. It made her blush again.
‘I thought it was you,’ he commented finally. ‘It just took a little time for it to registrar. Maria Lake that was. I don’t suppose you remember me, Danny Faber. We were at school together more years ago than I care to admit, and were once good friends, I recall?’
She laughed nervously. ‘Hello, Danny.’
‘It’s brilliant to see you after all this time. How amazing – you haven’t changed at all.’
‘Well you have Danny. Sprouting a few grey hairs, I see, and an expanding waistband.’
‘Too much good living I suppose. So how are you these days?’
‘Very well thanks.’ She wished she wasn’t blushing. ‘And you?’
‘Oh, I can’t complain.’
‘This your daughter?’ She nodded at the little girl, and looking at the computer screen said, ‘Elizabeth is it?’
‘Yes, this is Elizabeth, but we call her Lizzie for short. Lizzie, please say hello to an old friend of mine from my school days. We were once childhood sweethearts, would you believe?’
Lizzie giggled. ‘Daddy, that is so gross.’
Maria laughed at them both, but felt rather embarrassed again.
‘Listen Maria, why don’t we meet up? I’d love to talk about the old times, the people we knew and I’m dying to find out what you’ve been up to since you left school. What do you reckon?’
Maria was shocked – she didn’t quite know what to say, and was suddenly aware of one or two customers looking impatient, waiting to be served.
‘Just a minute, let me serve these people.’
Once the queue had gone, she looked up at him pensively
‘I’m not trying to pull you,’ he laughed.
‘I wasn’t thinking that at all, but it’s come as such a surprise – in fact more of a shock! And might I ask about your wife?’
‘Oh I should have told you we divorced some years ago - honestly. So is that a yes or no?’
‘Well in that case its yes, all right.’ She blurted out, feeling rather flustered.
‘What – oh great! I’ll meet you after work. There’s a coffee shop round the corner Lite-Bite it’s called. How about this Monday? What time do you finish?’
‘Well this Monday I finish at six o’clock.’
‘Six it is then. So see you Monday outside the library?’
She nodded.
And then he left, amid his daughter whispering and giggling to him.
Maria couldn’t believe what had happened. She remembered him vividly; they’d started going out at fourteen and were together for over two years until they split soon after they both left school. They’d been good together, but had parted because he kept pestering her for sex. She’d been heartbroken because she’d loved him as only a teenager could, and it took her months to get over it. He’d always been nice looking and still was. Had she actually consented to meet him again? But the bigger question being, was he involved with someone else? If so she wouldn’t have anything to do with him.
She’d decided not to tell her parents – if she did, they’d only make a fuss.
They’d never liked him, thinking him too big for his boots by far. But now when they’d spoken, he appeared more modest and sincere. Anyway she was now a free agent, so why not? And it would be interesting to find out what Danny had been doing and catch up on what had happened to the people they’d been to school with.
All day Monday, she couldn’t stop thinking about him, as if her schoolgirl crush had returned. This would be like a first date again, after all she hadn’t dated since before she got married.
The day seemed to drag, and in her excitement and anticipation everything seemed to go wrong at the library, she kept making silly mistakes. And all the time, at the back of her mind, she wondered if he’d even turn up. Perhaps if he didn’t it would it was because he considered her to have an old fashioned attitude towards sex.
Finally the time approached six, the doors had already been locked and the last member of the public had left the library. Maria went through the locking up procedure with Barbara, the Branch Librarian. When they got outside, Barbara locked the front door and padlocked the metal grill in front of it. Maria told her friend she was waiting for someone to give her a lift, so they said their goodbyes.
Standing outside the main library entrance, she heard her name called and within seconds, to her surprise saw Danny walking towards her, all thought of him not turning up gone. He grinned, looking as pleased as punch to see her.
‘Danny, you almost startled me to death.’
‘Sorry I’m a bit late, but I had to take my daughter to her mothers, and she didn’t want to go,’ he explained.
‘Oh, that’s all right.’
‘Shall we make a move then? How about going for a drink rather than a coffee? Would you mind? There’s a pub a few hundred yards away – the Schooner’s Arms – it’s very pleasant and quiet. Have you heard of it?’
‘Oh yes, I’ve been in there quite a few times. It’s fine.’
‘Good, that’s settled,’ he said, his eyes closing for a couple of seconds, relieved it appeared, that she approved of his choice.
They walked down the road together. Darkness approached; there weren’t many people about yet as it was still early evening.
At first Danny just made small talk and was polite. They turned the corner into Church Street, passing all the shops on their way to the pub. Then Maria stopped dead in her tracks. Danny looked at her with a puzzled frown, obviously wondering what was going on.
She’d seen someone across the road and her heart started to thud when she recognised the tall figure not more than a hundred yards away.
‘Tim!’ she screamed, certain her long lost son was looking in the shop window opposite. He had that same lanky stature inheri
ted from his father. Wearing shabby clothes, jeans with holes in them by the looks of it and a donkey jacket. And immediately she started to run.
‘What’s wrong?’ Danny asked.
‘It’s my son Tim,’ she shouted to him, as she ran even faster towards the figure standing outside the shop window.
‘What are you talking about?’ He shouted, but she wasn’t listening. She scampered down the road like a sprinter. Danny followed closely behind.
As she got closer the young man glanced back to see what the commotion was all about and made a hasty retreat. Maria kept screaming his name causing him to run even faster. However, within no time the figure had gained something of a lead on her and Danny, and in the twilight he slipped left down a side street.
Danny ran quicker than Maria and soon got some way ahead of her.
‘I’ll catch up with him if I can - you wait here,’ he shouted back at her, and for a minute she thought he might succeed where she’d failed.
Maria felt a stabbing pain in her side, the result of her lack of exercise. Although she didn’t want to stop, she couldn’t carry on any longer. Breathing hard, her only hope now, was that Danny had the strength and stamina to catch hold of Tim and bring him back to her.
Holding her stomach, she walked slowly down the side street seeing them both disappear into a churchyard.
It took several minutes to get her breath back again. Why, if it was her son, had he run away? That she found hard to understand. But once again there’d been nothing she could do to stop him.
Moments later Danny reappeared on his own, puffing and blowing. He was sweating profusely as he approached and she saw he was exhausted and a little distressed.
‘I lost him,’ he shouted with frustration. ‘Dear God Maria, what’s this all about?’
‘You don’t want to get involved, Danny – you really don’t.’ She sensed tears coming into her eyes.
‘But I do, so why won’t you tell me? Look, I realise we’ve only just met after over twenty years, but I am involved now and I want to help if I can. So can you explain what’s going on?’