by Janet Woods
Linda gave a light laugh and gazed at Saffy. ‘A good lawyer would soon overturn that. After all, the court might decide a woman who’d given birth to an illegitimate child an unsuitable parent for him.’
There was a roaring sound in Janey’s ears. Dear, God, no! Don’t let her take him from me.
‘Put the child down, Janey.’
Justin began to grizzle.
‘He’s tired,’ she argued, ‘and he needs his nap.’
‘Put him down!’
Reluctantly Janey lowered Justin to the floor, her heart going out to him as he clung to her knees. ‘It’s all right, darling. Don’t cry.’
‘I don’t like her,’ Saffy muttered.
‘Come to mummy, Justin darling,’ Linda cooed.
Justin buried his head in her knees and began to howl. Saffy patted his head in comfort.
Rising from the couch Linda dragged him away. Janey dug her nails into her palms when she hissed. ‘Come here you whining little brat. I’m your mother, not her.’
Justin’s howls became a fully blown tantrum. Kicking and yelling he screamed blue murder at the top of his lungs.
Linda looked rattled. ‘I’ll give you a good smack if you don’t stop that noise.’
Justin sank his teeth into her arm, and then scrambled from her lap as she loosened her hold on him and ran for safety behind Janey’s legs.
‘Look what he’s done,’ Linda screeched, displaying the bite mark. ‘He’s an animal. I’ll give him a good hiding when I get hold of him.’
‘No you won’t.’ She picked Justin up. ‘I’m putting him down for his nap. Saffy, come with me. You can have a nap too.’
She wanted to applaud when Saffy poked her tongue out at Linda, but knew she couldn’t let her get away with it. ‘That’s naughty, Saffy. Say sorry.’
‘Won’t!’
‘Yes you will. Say it now, please.’
It was debatable whether Saffy’s muttered response was an apology, but she decided to let it pass.
She paused at the door, her rage hidden by a veneer of calm. How dare Linda upset a defenseless child. I won’t let him go without a fight! ‘If we are to go to court I need to let his grandfather know. If you’d like to wait, I’ll ring him when I get back. I’ll tell you now, Linda. I intend to fight tooth and nail for custody of Justin.’
When she returned, Linda had a sullen expression on her face.
‘Actually, I didn’t come here to see Justin. I don’t care if I never see him again. He’s too much like Martin.’
‘What’s wrong with Martin?’ Apart from the fact he was as rotten a father as Linda was a mother.
‘He’s a homosexual. He’s just moved in with his boyfriend.’
Janey’s eyes flew open in shock. ‘Does Robert Pitt know?’
‘Of course he does. I informed him of the fact just over an hour ago. He took it badly. Men of his age are amazingly stuffy about such things; they are so old-fashioned and have no concept of the modern world. I thought he was going to have a heart attack.’
Poor Robert. Poor Martin! What a lousy thing Linda had done to them.
‘I came down to see if you had any spare cash.’
Janey eyed the diamond on Linda’s dress. ‘Can’t you sell that?’
‘It was a gift.’
‘What happened to the cash from the sale of the house in Bournemouth? And if you’re so hard up, why are you driving around in a fancy car?’
The expression on Linda’s face would have soured cream. ‘Martin had mortgaged the house to the hilt. As for the car ... ‘ She shrugged as she unconsciously fingered the diamond brooch. ‘It belongs to a friend of mine.’
‘I see?’ Janey had an almost irrepressible urge to laugh and couldn’t resist a jibe. ‘Didn’t you train to be a secretary or something? You could always find a job.’
Linda’s eyes narrowed. The smooth beige mask of her make-up couldn’t quite disguise the flags of color rising to her cheeks.
‘If you must know I’m going into a private clinic to have an operation. I don’t want any more children and I suffer so every month.’ Her voice became a whisper and she suddenly looked vulnerable. ‘It makes me remember her – our mother! I can’t put up with the bleeding any more, I just can’t! It turns my stomach when I think of her lying on the floor, and the blood ... so much of it.’
And that was the only thing genuine about Linda, her inability to come to terms with the tragic circumstances of their mother’s death, when the attempted loss of one life had caused a second loss. What her sister had witnessed had burned itself into her mind, leaving an invisible scar. Children were so impressionable, so needful of love and stability in their lives. Reluctantly, Janey’s heart reached out to her. Then what she’d implied suddenly sank in. ‘You’re having a hysterectomy, aren’t you?’
‘Exactly.’ Linda’s recovery was swift, and her red-slashed mouth etched into a smile. ‘What of it? That’s why I need the money. In return, I’ll consider letting you have Justin permanently ... adopt him even. Martin wouldn’t care. He loathes children as much as I do.’
‘That’s blackmail.’
‘Take it or leave it.’
‘And if I don’t agree to give you the money?’
‘I’ll start proceedings to remove Justin from your care.’
Sadly Janey gazed at her. ‘Please don’t use Justin as a pawn, Linda. He doesn’t deserve to be punished.’
‘Good old Janey,’ Linda sneered. ‘You’re always looking for someone to love, and never quite succeeding. How jealous you must have been of the attention my father lavished on me when we were growing up. I often wondered about it myself until the truth came out that Jack Bellamy had fathered you. Jack Bellamy of all people, the man who assaulted you.’
Unwittingly, Linda had given her a stand to fight from. It was about time she learned the truth. ‘Actually, it was Eddie Renfrew who beat and raped me. Your father, Linda.’
The color drained from Linda’s face. ‘You’re lying, you’re just saying it to upset me.’
‘He also raped at least three other young girls,’ Janey continued relentlessly. ‘It was all in the diaries he left behind. His victims identified his photograph. If you don’t believe me, go and ask the police.’
‘This will ruin my life if it gets out,’ Linda whispered. ‘My friends will shun me. Oh, my God! I’ll never live it down.’
No thought for what Janey had gone through, no thought for the man who spent all those years behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit. It was Linda first and last – always Linda.
‘You needn’t worry; it won’t get out unless it has to. I wouldn’t want Justin growing up knowing his grandfather was a rapist.’ Janey pulled her checkbook towards her and started to write. ‘How long will it take you to decide about the adoption?’
‘You certainly know how to go for the jugular when your back’s against the wall.’ A mean look disguised the previous fright in Linda’s eyes as she said lightly. ‘Add another zero to that, darling, and make it out to cash, would you?’
Pen poised, Janey engaged her eyes. ‘How long?’
‘Six months, say?’
Six months? She could manage that if she tightened her belt a little. Could Linda be trusted to keep her word though? She wavered between wanting desperately to believe and not believing at all.
‘All right ... I’ll let you know as soon as possible.’ Linda’s eyes were riveted on the check. ‘I’ll consult a lawyer to find out the legalities involved.’
The check was practically ripped from Janey’s hand as soon as she added her signature, and was tucked into Linda’s expensive calfskin purse.
Linda didn’t linger. Snapping her fingers at the chauffeur, who was waiting in the hall, she swept regally past and waited for him to open the front door for her.
The chauffeur tipped his cap, but the expression in his eyes told Janey he was only playing a game.
Linda didn’t deserve to have a beautiful child like Justi
n.
After her sister had gone, Janey went to the children’s room and gazed at the sleeping boy. She wondered if she’d seen the last of her sister, or would Linda try to exact a higher price? She’d pay it willingly if Justin’s happiness was a stake, but not without a whimper.
She lifted the sleeping child to her chest and kissed his cheek, hoping he’d forget the confrontation as he snuggled again her. She laid him back then quietly closing the bedroom door she returned to the lounge and dialed the number of Robert Pitt.
* * * *
June brought the village fete. As anticipated, it was a grand affair with a small fairground, and a mediocre sounding pop group to add to the attractions. Charles Wyman opened the fete. Brenda stood by his side, elegant in a blue dress and matching hat.
Afterwards, the men headed en masse for the beer tent and the women hurried towards the white elephant stall to hunt out the best of the bargains.
It was a beautiful day. The sky was marbled with tiny clouds, and there was just enough wind to temper the warmth of the summer sun.
Janey took the children on the merry-go-round then wandered over to the food tent where the cake judging was taking place.
Susie was staring anxiously at the judge, a plump looking woman who wrote the cookery pages for one of the women’s magazines. She prodded and felt, smelled and tasted. Finally she was down to two. Susie’s and Ada’s.
Ada had a complacent look on her face. Susie looked so worried that Janey died a thousand deaths on her behalf whilst the woman deliberated. Then she smiled, and stuck a blue ribbon on one of the cakes.
‘Susan Renfrew,’ the vicar announced, beaming a smile in Susie’s direction.
As Susie moved forward to be presented with her cup, her face flushed with pride and happiness, Ada huffed to a neighbor, ‘It was me who taught that lass to cook. I shouldn’t be at all surprised if that wasn’t one of my recipes she was using.’
But Ada took it with good grace after that, and kissed Susie soundly on the cheek. ‘I’m right proud of you my love. Right proud.’
Griff joined her after lunch, his face all smiles. Before she could stop him, he kissed her soundly on the mouth.
Her face was heated when he let her go. ‘Stop it, Griff. What will people think?’
‘That he’s mad about you,’ Devlin’s voice whispered in her ear, ‘and they’d be right.’
She spun round. ‘Dev, what are you doing here?’
‘Your father told me he had a painting in the auction, and I have a client lined up who’s been trying to get hold of a John Gregory. I thought I might put in a bid for it.’ Picking up Saffy he smacked a kiss on her cheek. ‘How’s my favorite god-daughter?’
‘Daddy,’ Saffy said holding her arms out to Griff.
Devlin’s glance went speculatively from one to the other. He smiled as he handed Saffy over, and held out a hand. ‘I see you’ve been up-graded. Nice to see you again, Griff.’
‘Likewise.’
‘Hi, everyone!’ Wendy strolled towards them, a smile on her face. ‘I see Tim’s motor bike managed to find its way to the white elephant stall.’
‘He was forced to donate it when it wouldn’t sell,’ Janey said with a grin. ‘It nearly broke his heart.’
Wendy slipped her arm through Devlin’s. ‘Can we buy a hot dog or something before the auction, darling. I’m starving.’
Devlin gave a self-conscious grin when Janey chuckled. ‘I notice you have a painting in the auction.’
‘Yes. Do you like it?’
‘It’s okay. You’re not going all chintzy on me, are you?’
‘Would I dare? It was you who taught me to be commercial, Dev. The man who owns the cottage is loaded. I thought he might pay a good price for it.’
Devlin secured the John Gregory then proceeded to push the price to the limit for hers.
The owner of the cottage depicted in her painting gave Devlin a dirty look as he strutted off, his expensive prize clutched against his chest.
Griff couldn’t stop grinning as he gazed down at her. ‘There’s a few people round here could be done for conspiracy.’
‘He got a bargain, Devlin said. ‘I could have sold it for more ... and will.’
‘Wanna go wee.’
Janey hastily exchanged the pushchair for her daughter and headed for the nearest dense shrub. She returned to find Robert Pitt chatting to Griffin.
‘Ah my dear. I’m sorry to arrive without notice, but something’s come up and we need to talk.’ His glance slid apologetically to Griff. ‘In private?’
Alarm leapt into her chest. ‘It’s Linda, isn’t it? She wants Justin back. I knew I shouldn’t have given her that money. I knew she wouldn’t keep her word.’ Dread filled her eyes as she gazed at the sleeping child.
Griff stared at her. ‘You gave Linda money in return for her child? I understood the bartering of children’s lives was illegal these days.’
How cold he sounded. ‘That’s not how it was.’
She was lying to herself. That’s exactly how it had been. ‘Don’t look at me like that, Griff. I did it for Justin’s sake.
‘How much?’
‘A thousand,’ she said, shamefaced.
Griff managed a twisted smile as he gazed down at the oblivious Justin. ‘I guess he’s worth it, at that.’
‘I think you misunderstand, Doctor Tyler,’ Robert cut in smoothly. ‘Janey was given very little choice.’
‘It’s a pity she forgot to tell some of her friends about it.’
Griff.’ She placed a hand on his arm. ‘You don’t understand.’
A pulse worked in his jaw. His eyes were remote as he jerked away from her touch. ‘Perhaps you’d like to enlighten me sometime ... when you’ve got the time, of course.’
‘I have to ask you this, Janey,’ Robert said, watching as Griff moved stiffly away. ‘Is there any reason why you should have told Doctor Tyler?’
‘I guess so.’ An aching chasm appeared in her heart. ‘I’m in love with Griff, and he loves me.’
‘That’s wonderful, my dear.’
‘It is?’ It doesn’t feel wonderful. I’ve hurt his feelings in a way he didn’t deserve.
‘You see, it solves the very problem standing in the way of adoption. Linda’s lawyer rang me this morning. Both she and Martin agree it would be best for Justin to be permanently placed in your care by adoption, but he thinks the fact that you’re a single woman will go against you. Once you’re married, there will be no obstacle.’
No obstacle! How wrong could a man be? This was the biggest obstacle ever. How could she marry Griff now? How could she ever tell him how she felt about him? He’d think she was using him as a means to an end.
Griff didn’t come up to the house later. Devlin and Wendy stayed for dinner. Susie monopolized him, proudly showing off her cup and chattering all the way through the meal.
Finally, when Pamela shooed her off to bed, Devlin caught her eye. ‘Okay, let’s see what you’ve done.’
Wendy drifted off to help Pamela wash up.
Devlin walked along the row of paintings. There was a sun-washed wall with a dirty weathered window and clematis growing up it. An old man leaned on a garden fork with a dog at his feet, staring at a sunset. A woman prayed, her face illuminated by light streaming through a stained glass window.
‘Hmmm ... that one is a bit cheesy, but I daresay someone will buy it. I like this one best. A house martin hung from a twig with a piece of straw in its beak. It gazed through a kitchen window at a canary in a cage, as though offering it freedom. ‘I can almost hear it singing for release.’ He gazed at her. ‘Symbolic?’
‘Could be, but by accident more than design. I don’t question my themes.
He moved on. The painting of a boy on a bicycle, a jar of minnows swinging from the handlebars was her personal favorite and it brought a faint smile from him.
The landscapes in
Devlin gazed at them a long time. She knew better than to disturb h
im, but she did when he flicked the cloth from the second easel.
‘That’s not for sale.’
‘The one on this easel never is.’ Slanting his head to one side, he mused. ‘It’s funny how blind a man can be. Does Griff know how you feel about him?’
She joined him, gazing at the painting of the sleeping Griff and Saffy through newly opened eyes. Saffy’s fist curled into the hollow of Griff’s throat, his arm circled her protectively. He was achingly beautiful to her. Hollow-cheeked, his lashes were a dark sweep, his mouth relaxed. She usually smiled every time she looked at it, but now she couldn’t. She should have seen then – at the time when she’d sketched it – how much she loved him.’
A lump gathered in her throat, choking her words. ‘He knows, I think ... but I haven’t told him ... now, I never can.’
‘Tell Uncle Devlin all about it, Janey. You’ve been like a cat with its tail caught in a mangle all evening. I’ve never seen you look so miserable.’
Words tumbled out of her without sequence. Somehow she got everything out, as if a damn had burst inside her. Although he winced on occasion, he didn’t interrupt her.
‘Now, I just don’t know what to do, Dev.’
‘Let’s sort this out a bit. You’re going to have to learn to live with the abuse, because it’s happened and you can’t undo it. As for your father ... your real father, that is. It sounds to me as if the legalities are being taken care of. Let it rest and stop worrying about it. If you start pushing government departments around they nail their well-fed backsides to their seats. Got it!’
She nodded.
‘Now, the fact that you feel you can’t have a relationship with a man is poppycock. You managed it with Drifter.’
She gave him a half-shamed look. ‘He said I was frigid.’
Devlin grinned. ‘You should read that as his inadequacy to turn you on. Men often shift blame on to their partners. It makes them feel better in a one-sided relationship. Besides, you never gave yourself the chance to try anyone else, did you?’
Color crept to her cheeks.
‘As for Griff, if I were you I’d give him that picture and see what happens. If he’s half the man I think he is, he’ll soon put two and two together.’