by Peter Martin
‘I’m hungry, all right if I have something to eat?’ He asked politely.
‘Of course, I’ll make you something - anything you like.’
‘Thanks mum.’
They went downstairs to the kitchen together, and while he ate a bowl of cereal, she made him scrambled eggs on toast.
After sitting down to enjoy her first cup of tea and a Weetabix she watched him greedily eat his food, still unsure of what to make of him.
‘I missed you mum,’ he said suddenly.
So emotionally overwhelmed, for a few seconds she found it hard to speak, but eventually replied, ‘And I’ve missed you too, I can’t tell you how much.’
‘Well, I’m back now.’
‘Why did you go Tim? Was it something we did?’
‘No, not really.’
‘But what made you want to leave.’
‘I can’t say.’
‘So where have you been these last five years?’
‘Here and there. Nowhere special.’ His nostrils began to flare.
‘And what have you been doing? And how did you live? Have you got a job or what?’
‘Does it matter? I must have done something, otherwise I wouldn’t be here now, would I, mum? You’re asking me too many stupid questions that aren’t important. Just be glad I’m here and be satisfied.’
‘I’m sorry, but I can’t help being curious and worried over it. And now there’s your future to think about.’
Tim shook his head at her. ‘Well I don’t know. I’ll take it one day at a time and see what happens – all right?’
Maria felt unnerved, there was a weirdness about him, in his tone of voice and his manner which she couldn’t work out.
‘We’ll have to tell the police now you’re back. They’re bound to have lots of questions for you.’
His eyes almost bulged out of their sockets. ‘You’d better not. I don’t trust the filth, any further than I could throw them. Just one word to them – I’m warning you.’
‘I wish you’d talk to me – tell me what’s going on in that mind of yours. I’m sure I could help if you let me.’
‘Shut up! Shut up! I don’t want to talk about anything like that. I may never speak about it – you’ll have to wait and see. If you keep giving me aggro, I’ll go again, and this time I’ll never come back.’ He got up from his seat and stood towering over her.
‘All right, all right I’ll back off son. Whatever you say.’ She replied, not liking his attitude or how this was panning out. If she wasn’t careful he’d have her ‘over a barrel’ by continually threatening to leave, she thought.
Maria stayed quiet after this and took the crockery over to the sink to wash up. After the trauma of the last five years she wasn’t sure how to handle this. Then straight out of the blue he said, ‘You know something, you’ve disappointed me mum. I thought you cared about me, but what do you do? You go with another man. So where’s dad, that’s what I want to know?’
She raised her eyebrows, shocked he should come right out and say this, and said, ‘Your father and I split up some time ago – it had been coming for a long time over lots of things, not only you. He accused me of seeing someone else, which I denied, so I left.’
‘How could you just leave?’
‘I’m sorry Tim, but that’s what happens sometimes.’
‘I don’t like that man you’re with now mum. He looked at me funny when I came in, like he didn’t want me here.’
‘No, he wouldn’t. You’re just imagining it Tim because it was such a shock. Danny really likes you, he’s said as much. He knows all about you because I’ve told him. And he realises how important you are to me. He’ll treat you like a son, I promise you.’
‘But I want my real dad. Where is he now?’
‘He lives a long way from here. Up north in Cliffburn as far as I’m aware.’
‘And why did you move? I knocked on the door of our old house and found you no longer lived there so I went to nan and granddad’s house. They promised not to tell you when I said I was coming straight here. I wanted it to be a surprise. I was sad when I found out you didn’t live in the old house, it would have been nice to have slept in my own bed again.’
‘Well I’m sorry we’re living in a different house, but after you left your father and I had to move to the north east because of his job. The office here closed down, and he had to relocate or lose his job, so we both moved up there. Sadly that’s where we split up.’
‘I want to see my dad too.’
‘You will.’
‘So tell him I’ve come home.’
‘Yes, of course I will.’ She hesitated for a few seconds.
‘Well, go on, phone him,’ he said with a stern looking face.
She had a diary where she kept countless phone numbers, including Bob’s, for use in an emergency. They’d only kept in touch via the police over Tim’s disappearance, although of late there’d been nothing to report. And she didn’t look forward to phoning him now.
Tim stared at her eerily, sending a shiver down her spine, waiting for her to make contact.
Bob had just woken up, and as he sat up he rubbed his eyes and yawned. The clock on the bedside cabinet pointed at seven forty five, later than he normally got up. But then he remembered he had a dentist appointment at nine thirty. What a great start to the day! Thankfully, it was only for a check-up.
After going to the bathroom and getting dressed he headed for the kitchen to make his breakfast. Debra had already gone to work, so he was alone in the house. He’d just finished eating his cereal when the phone rang. Sighing, he hoped the call would be short, or he wouldn’t have time to eat his toast and finish his drink before going out.
It had to be Debra at this time of the morning, he thought, probably forgotten something. So he picked up the phone.
‘Hello!’ He shouted a little tetchily.
‘Is that you Bob?’ was the reply.
‘Yes… ’ he hesitated for a second realising straightaway it was Maria. His stomach turned over.
‘You know who this is, don’t you?’
‘Yes, Maria I do,’ he said, holding the phone more tightly, remembering the hurt she’d caused him. What on earth could she want? Perhaps the divorce neither of them had got round to filing. It wasn’t long before he found out.
‘You’ll never believe this, not in a million years. Tim’s turned up, alive and well.’
‘What! Are you having a laugh? If you are, it’s in very bad taste.’
‘I’m not joking. It’s the truth. Last night, we were getting ready to go to bed, when the doorbell rang. And there he was after all this time.’
For a few seconds the line went quiet. Bob was dumbstruck. Then he heard someone saying, ‘Hello dad.’
Bob’s heart pounded against his chest as he recognised the voice at once, a little deeper but he knew unmistakeably this was his son.
‘Dad, are you still there?’
‘Yes I am. Tim, is that really you?’
‘It is dad. So what do you make of that?’
‘I’m almost lost for words. After five years – why this is incredible. God, I never dreamed you’d come back.’
As Maria came back on the phone, he could hear Tim laughing in the background.
‘You’ll have to come down here, if you want to see him. So just let me know when’s convenient and I’ll make sure we’re all in.’
‘Yes, all right. But I’ve no idea where you live.’
‘I’ll give you the address, you already have the phone number– all right?’
‘That’s fine.’
Having wrote down the address Maria gave him directions and told him they were living on a new housing estate, built where an old Victorian house had once stood. Bob remembered the old house. Finally Maria revealed that she now lived with Danny Faber and his young daughter. This came as a surprise as Bob had gone to school with Danny. So what had become of Alan? The affair obviously hadn’t worked out. What a sha
me. Although he was pleased in one way that she’d found someone else, just as he had with Debra. He shrewdly never mentioned Debra, guessing this wouldn’t go down well.
‘So when can you come?’
‘Well, I can’t take tomorrow as a holiday, as I’m going in work late today because of a dentist’s appointment this morning, so it’ll have to be the day after. Say around lunchtime if that’s all right with you.’
‘See you Saturday lunchtime.’
Then she was gone, leaving him to reflect on what had completely blown him away. He’d never imagined anything like this would happen after so long. He’d always had a gut feeling Tim was dead, or someone had abducted him. In the beginning and even now, he had restless nights picturing what if Tim’s body was found and the murderer apprehended. But his son was alive, and his heart soared.
Now he had to face Debra’s reaction to the news. It could be very awkward for her if she came with him to Dexford. It all depended on how Maria took to him and Debra being an item. She wouldn’t know they’d been together for the last four years, just as Bob hadn’t known about Danny Faber. But there was no way round it if he wanted to see Tim.
He’d decided not to phone Debra at work with the news, but as soon as he got home that night, despite a sickly feeling in his stomach, he’d made up his mind to come clean at once.
Entering the house, the sound of movement told him Debra was upstairs. And determined not to back out he took the stairs two at a time, only to find she was changing into her casual clothes in their bedroom.
He gave her a peck on the cheek and began, ‘Hey, you’re never going to guess what’s happened…’
‘Er… we’ve been left a lot of money in your old aunt’s will,’ she joked, obviously not having the foggiest idea what he meant.
‘Not exactly…’ he began.
After telling her about his early morning phone call from Maria she was a little taken aback saying, ‘You’ve joking Bob. He just turned up on Maria’s doorstep. Why that’s amazing – it’s the last thing you expected.’
‘I’ve even spoken to him.’
‘That’s brilliant news – you must be over the moon.’
‘Yes, I’m thrilled to death, but Maria and I went through a lot five years ago, so it seems incredible that all of a sudden he turns up. I’m left wondering if we’re in for even more heartache.’
‘It does make you think there’s a reason behind why he’s suddenly come back?’
‘It does. Until I can talk to him face to face, I won’t be able to get to the bottom of it.’
‘So what are you going to do?’
‘They’ve suggested I go down Saturday morning. Will you come with me?’
Debra laughed a little nervously. ‘Is that really a good idea? What will Maria say when she sees us together?’
‘I don’t know and I don’t care. What I do in my private life is my business – and besides what happened between us was long after she walked out. This is to do with my son and nothing else.’
‘I’ll come with you if you want me too, Bob. But I’m not getting involved in any arguments.’
‘No worries. Neither will I. She’s got what she always wanted at last, so I’d be surprised if she cares about what I’ve been doing for the last five years. But whatever happens nothing will prevent me from being in Tim’s life.’
Chapter 24
Bob’s joy had reached a new level. Despite finding happiness again with Debra, the one thing missing from his life had been the whereabouts of his son. So now Tim had returned, he longed to see him again. He had so many questions, so much to talk about, and wouldn’t know where to start.
On the Friday night they went to bed at ten with the intention of starting out early the following morning as it was a long drive to Dexford. But Bob was that excited and restless he couldn’t sleep, and although Debra didn’t complain he guessed he’d kept her awake too. Then to cap it all, they both overslept.
Not a good start to the day, but once they were on the motorway, they soon made up the time they’d lost and his mood improved. Each mile they passed caused ever more adrenalin to pump through his body. As they entered Dexford town centre, a wry smile came over him. ‘Nearly there now love.’
‘Yes, Bob - you must be so excited.’
‘Just a bit. Wonder what he looks like now, and if he’s changed at all. Like I said I want to know where he’s been and why he did it. And then I’d like to wring his neck for what he’s put us through. But after that I’ll want to hug him half to death. I haven’t decided what will come first.’
‘Do whatever takes your fancy,’ she joked.
‘Yes, very funny.’
Having lived in Dexford for all but the last five years of his life, it brought back fond memories. The housing development, ‘The Parklands’ which they were heading for, where Maria now lived had once been the grounds to a large Victorian House. He remembered playing there as a child when the land and house was derelict.
As he turned into Parklands Avenue, the house he was looking for, number three, was just inside the road. All the houses appeared to be detached, quite large with a decent garden in front.
‘Well, we’re here at last,’ Bob commented looking up at the house, which had a large bay window, and a block paved driveway. A navy blue estate car was parked on the drive along with a smaller hatchback and he assumed therefore that both of them were in.
‘Are you fit?’ Bob grinned.
‘Let’s get it over with.’ Debra replied.
They got out of the car to be greeted by warm sunshine, very pleasant for early May. It was good to breathe in the fresh air after their long journey. And without hesitation they both walked up the drive.
There was a bell to the side of the front door, which Bob pressed twice. Almost at once through the frosted glass Bob caught sight of the outline of someone approaching. When the door opened, a middle-aged man stood before them.
‘Hi!’ he said offering Bob his hand, which he shook, barely recognising him from the lad he was once friends with.
‘I’m Danny Faber, Maria’s partner. You must be Bob.’
‘Yes, and this is my partner Debra. Weren’t we at school together?’
‘Oh yes we were – small world, isn’t it? I’m surprised you remember me. Anyway, I’m pleased to meet you both. Won’t you come through? It’s the second door?’ He pointed with his hand.
There was a neatness about the house, from the red carpet to the pink patterned wallpaper, all bearing Maria’s stamp, Bob thought. They entered the lounge to see Maria sitting next to a young girl of about fourteen or fifteen, whose facial features and colouring seemed to resemble Danny. But there was no sign of Tim.
‘Hallo Bob,’ Maria said looking up at him and then at Debra, who she seemed to pull a slight face at for a split second.
‘Hallo Maria.’
‘Well, this is a surprise – and Debra too.’
‘Right, so where is he?’
‘He’s getting changed. He wanted to make an effort with his dad coming.’
‘That’s nice of him.’
‘Sit yourselves down.’ Danny indicated the two armchairs standing close to the sofa.
‘I’ll put the kettle on and find out what he’s up to.’ Maria got up from her seat and as she left the room Bob started to remark about how nice the house was.
Five minutes later Maria returned with Tim at her side. At first Bob was lost for words, his eyes full of tears as he took in his son’s overall appearance. What struck Bob was he hadn’t changed much, still slim and tall, the only sign he was older being his unshaven face.
Bob stood up at once. ‘Tim!’ he exclaimed, raw emotion showing on his face. ‘How fantastic to see you again son, I can’t believe it’s you.’
Instinctively he took his son in his arms and hugged him, but Tim froze, seeming unmoved. But for Bob this was very poignant. Then finally they parted.
‘You’re looking well – how are you?’
‘It’s been a long five years, son. I never expected to see you again - in fact I was convinced you weren’t coming back.’ Bob’s eyes again filled with tears.
‘Well you got it wrong dad.’
‘I prayed for a miracle, and it came true.’
‘Pull up a chair Tim,’ Danny suggested. ‘Sit next to your dad, eh.’
Bob seemed to get an inner warmth from the closeness of his son and said, ‘So where have you been these last five years?’
‘About,’ Tim replied.
‘About where?’
‘Nowhere in particular. It’s no big deal.’ He sounded agitated. ‘Dad, you’re as bad as mum with your stupid questions.’
‘I’m concerned – that’s all. I’d like you to tell me what you’ve been doing and why you’ve come back now.’
‘Because… because it’s the right time,’ Tim said simply.
Bob shook his head, unable to understand his son’s attitude. ‘Have you any idea what you’ve put us through these past five years? It’s been absolute hell!’
‘It couldn’t be helped.’ He widened his eyes at Bob.
‘You shouldn’t have disappeared without a word Tim – what you did was very wrong. And then to come home as if nothing’s happened – why that’s just as bad,’ Bob told him shaking with emotion.
‘I did my best – what do you want from me, dad – blood?’
‘Of course not, but why did you run away from us like that?’
Maria coughed nervously. ‘Bob, don’t be so hard on the lad? His reasons no longer matter. He’s back, and that’s what does matter.’
‘Maybe for you, but not for me. What possible reason could he have to run away? We’d have done anything for him, given him whatever he wanted and more. He should have talked to us if he had a problem. Are we that unapproachable? It’s beyond me – it really is.’
Tim was drumming his fingers on the arm of his chair, looking straight ahead of him, stony faced.
‘There was a reason,’ Tim said quietly. ‘But I won’t talk about it right now.’
‘Why not? Your mother and I are reasonable people – and I’d say we deserve an explanation.’