Food vanished like magic, and what was left Karen packed for them to take home. Bobbie and Georgie were muddy, their clothes were no longer fresh and clean, their long hair was tangled and ribbons were lost, but they went home happy with their adventure and hugged Karen before they left.
Nelda took Mabs home in her car with the two excited girls. Lottie, Greg and Zena walked. They went into the house and stared in disbelief. The television was no longer there. The set, and the wooden tea trolley on which it had sat, had gone leaving a space between the sideboard and the window.
‘Burglars! Greg gasped. ‘Look, the wireless has gone too.’ Foolishly they looked around the room as though the items would magically reappear and even looked outside the back door. It wasn’t quite dark. Bewildered by the mystery they looked around a while then went back inside. Greg went further; he walked to the edge of the path that zig-zagged down the rocky route to the lake. In the dusky light he saw something was lying on the small beach. Halfway down he spotted the trolley, broken and lying some distance from the path. He looked up and guessed that it had been dropped over the edge of the steep cliff. He went on down and found the television, half in and half out of the shallow water, the screen broken and obviously ruined. What sort of a burglar takes something just to throw it away?
They called the police but it seemed more an act of spite rather than a theft. They reminded the officer of the damage to the stationers during a break-in and Mabs’s café – about which they hadn’t been told. But there seemed no sensible explanation. Individually they wondered who could dislike them so much they would enjoy upsetting them in this way. No one came up with a solution, although Greg did have the rather guilty, brief suspicion that Rose was angry enough even though he had no idea why she resented them so much. He didn’t speak of it, it seemed so unlikely. Things like that didn’t happen to people like them.
‘It must have been thieves trying to steal them and getting frustrated when they couldn’t get away,’ he said, and for want of a better explanation, they all agreed.
Jake was in France for most of the following week, placing orders for garments and collecting samples of new lines to discuss with his boss. It was Friday of the following week when he left to go to Cold Brook Vale. He rang Llyn Hir, and Lottie told them they would all be out for the whole of Sunday. ‘Coffee, lunch and afternoon tea at the house you and the others pretended was haunted,’ she added with a laugh.
‘Pretended! We believed it!’
He went very early on Saturday and drove straight to his usual lodgings. He unpacked the few clothes he had brought and went out to eat. He would go to Llyn Hir and if Zena wasn’t there he would make arrangements to see her early the following day, then go back to London. He wanted to get back to Rose. His home was no longer this village where he had spent his childhood. London was where he wanted to be. London, with Rose and Madeleine and the job he was enjoying. A life with Zena was nothing more than a foolish dream.
It wasn’t yet twelve and he was most likely to find Zena at the stationers. He went straight there. He had no qualms about her being upset. This was just tying up the odd ends of something they both knew was over. He was smiling when he opened the door and walked in. Then he frowned. ‘Aunty Mabs? What are you doing here?’
‘Helping out. What are you doing here,’ she asked pointedly.
‘Where’s Zena?’
‘Up sorting through the house where Roy Roberts lived. It’s something his sons asked her to do.’
‘I’ll call at Llyn Hir later.’ He went out, he didn’t want to dribble out explanations to Mabs. He was disappointed not to see Zena, he’d hoped to be on his way back to London before evening. He walked to the popular beach with its golden sands that attracted crowds in the summer months. Today few people wandered with dogs and children. He met no one he knew. Doors were closing and he was no longer a part of this once loved place.
He walked back and sat looking at the lake for a while, remembering the fun they’d had as children with the boat and the raft. Remembering too the day his friend Peter had drowned, not in the lake but in the sea. Staring across the calm, still water he realized that the raft was moving towards him. He waved and helped by pulling on the rope until Lottie stepped off with her shopping bags. He carried her bags up the steep rocky path and halfway up he saw the remains of the tea trolley some distance from the path. Lottie explained about the robbery. ‘Sam saw someone struggling with a heavy object on the path. From the height and general build and the clothes he guessed it was a man but could add nothing further. The police don’t hold out much hope of finding him.’
‘Was it a robbery gone wrong? Perhaps he was going to use the raft to get away?’
‘Of course! Why didn’t we think of that? We presumed someone had thrown it down the path out of spite. The raft is a better explanation. We hated to think someone disliked us enough to simply ruin something we enjoyed.’ They were smiling when they reached Llyn Hir. Zena opened the door to them and they went inside.
While Lottie went to the kitchen to unpack her shopping and make sandwiches, Zena and Jake looked at each other, both wondering where to begin. He had been working out ways of starting the conversation but in the end it was Zena who said,
‘You’re happy in London aren’t you, Jake? I’m glad. You made the right decision. We had a lovely childhood, but now it’s time to choose our own way forward, isn’t it? Is that what you came to say?’
‘We’ll stay in touch, won’t we?’
‘Of course. I’ll want to know all your news. How is Rose? Has she explained why she walked away from Greg? He’s not sorry it ended; he’s very happy with Susie, and we all like her very much, but he would like to know why.’
‘I’m taking care of her and she’s gradually opening up, but I doubt if Greg will ever be told why.’
On one of his impulses, he invited her out for lunch the following day, and was relieved when she shook her head.
‘We’re all invited to visit the Haunted House for the day,’ she said with a smile. ‘Remember how we used to frighten ourselves creeping around there? It’s furnished now, the grounds are gradually being tamed and it’s a pleasant home.’
‘I’d forgotten. Why are you invited? Is it someone we know?’
‘I helped clean the rooms when they first moved in and it’s an extra thank you, I suppose. And no, it isn’t anyone we know. James Penberthy, who is blind, and a woman who looks after him called Karen.’
‘You’re happy, are you, Zena?’
‘Completely. And you?’
‘I think my future is in London, with Rose.’
It was a solemn meeting yet both were smiling as Jake sat and ate a sandwich for politeness sake before driving back to collect his things. He felt utterly weary and sat in his room for more than an hour. Then, instead of driving back he stayed another night. He slept late and drove back in a leisurely manner, stopping to look at small towns on the route, eat a meal, before picking up speed and heading back to London, and Rose.
Although refreshed by a good night’s sleep he was tired when he stopped the car outside Rose’s flat. He wanted to go back to his miserable room and sleep, but first he needed to tell Rose that all was well, that he and Zena were happy with the situation. To his disappointment, she wasn’t in. He didn’t feel like going to Madeleine’s, the most likely place to find her, and instead went home to his miserable room and slept.
At two o’clock the following morning there was a knock at the front door and he turned and settled back to sleep. It couldn’t be for him. No one came here, and who would want him at such a time? The knocking went on and he dragged a blanket around his shoulders and went down. He opened the door prepared to complain and Rose stood there. In the light from the hallway he saw excitement clear on her face, her eyes shining, her lips parted, unable to stop smiling. He stared at her in disbelief. ‘Rose? Is everything all right?’
‘Perfect, everything is just perfect. Aren’t you going to inv
ite me in?
She danced about the room, laughing and half telling him something before starting to tell him something else. He was laughing with her as he asked what had happened.
‘I’ve dealt with the Martins and next weekend I’m going again, this time to ruin any chance of their ever being happy again.’ She paused to laugh. ‘I’ve dreamed of this, Jake. Once this is done I can forget them all and be happy. That’s what I’m doing, making them as miserable as they’ve made others with their deceit and lies.’
He tried to persuade her to explain, but although she had calmed down she wouldn’t explain. ‘You can come with me, see how they face up to the truth about themselves. You will come, won’t you, Jake? I’ll need you there.’
‘I don’t think you should do this. What will you gain by hurting them? They’re good people.’
She flopped onto the ancient armchair and closed her eyes. ‘You’ll understand when I face them with the truth. I’m tired, I thumbed a lift back to London, wasn’t that adventurous of me?’
‘Risky! Where have you been?’
‘Tell you tomorrow.’ She curled up in the chair and closed her eyes.
He spoke to her but she didn’t respond. He tried lifting her intending to carrying her to his bed but she flopped and refused to move. Worried, he lay back on his bed and lay there watching her, concern making a frown deepen on his brow. What had she done and what was she planning to do next? A shiver of fear chilled his body. He knew so little about her; she guarded her private thoughts like a person surrounded by enemies.
Then she opened her eyes and smiled and he opened his arms. Slowly she stood and stepped over to lie beside him. Terrified of frightening her, he held her close and felt her relax into sleep.
He was soon very uncomfortable on the narrow bed. His muscles tightened as he lay at an awkward angle but he was afraid to move. His shoulder felt as though it would never straighten again. Eventually he had to move but he would have to do so with care. From the little she had told him, he believed this was the first time she had ever been so close to another person and he didn’t want to risk waking her, maybe embarrassing her. Slowly he slid further towards the middle of the narrow bed. She didn’t wake, but snuggled closer.
Happier than he could remember feeling before, even with Zena, and more comfortable, he relaxed into sleep. Then she turned and was facing him, her head on his shoulder, her soft breath like a caress against his neck. He was almost afraid to breathe in case he woke her. He didn’t want this night to end, but his back was soon painfully stiff again. His arm, under her pillow, was numb, his neck felt about to snap, but he dared not move, but even the discomfort couldn’t keep him awake and he too, slept.
She woke at seven and sat up, while he stayed perfectly still, wondering what her reaction would be. To his surprise, she said, ‘Thank you, Jake,’ as though her sleeping beside him was a normal occurrence. ‘I couldn’t face going home to be on my own. I needed company after the excitement of last weekend and my plans for next week. You will come, won’t you, Jake?’
‘I’ll make us some coffee,’ Jake said, struggling to straighten his cramped body. ‘Then we’ll go out for breakfast. Then, will you tell me what all this is about?’
‘I visited the Martins and ruined their television last week. Yesterday I broke windows and they didn’t even notice when they got home. It was wonderful, but the best thing was that I made a momentous decision. I’m going to tell everyone their sordid secret, her dishonesty, about how she ruined my life. I’ll make them face up to what they did. And when I do I want you to be there, Jake. Then you’ll understand everything. We can build a life free from secrets and shame.’ She smiled and her expression made Jake shiver. ‘You’ll know everything when I tell their disgusting secret.’
Jake insisted on going immediately. ‘We can’t wait until next weekend with this hanging over us,’ he said. What had she done? What would she do next? He didn’t know what to do. Should he tell Lottie and the others? Or plead with Rose to forget any further actions and hope it would blow over? His instinct was to run, leave Rose to find her own solutions to her problems as this was more than he could cope with.
Saying very little except insisting that they went at once to Llyn Hir and settle whatever it was she had on her mind, she just smiled serenely. As soon as she set off to her flat to change and go to work, he went to see Madeleine.
They talked over what had happened and Madeleine admitted that she knew about Rose entering the stationers and messing things up, and Mabs’s café. ‘I know it was wrong, but it had already happened when I learned of it and it was such unlikely behaviour for someone and timid as Rose, I stupidly thought it might be a good thing. I really didn’t expect her to do anything more.’
‘What do we do now?’
‘Go with her and hope that we can salvage something from the mess. The police were called, you say?’
‘Yes, Rose heard that they think it was a burglary gone wrong. A thief, or thieves disappointed at not finding money, damaging things in frustration.’
Jake cancelled his appointments for the next two days, pleading family illness, then went to find Rose and insisted on her coming with them.
She fought against the decision, insisting she wanted the whole family there to listen to what she had to say. They telephoned from a phone box soon after they set off and asked Lottie if she could make sure Greg and Zena were there at three. ‘Mabs too,’ he added but said nothing of the reason. That seemed to satisfy Rose and she relaxed and enjoyed the journey with anticipation of delights to come.
When they walked in to Llyn Hir, Sam was there. Zena stared at Rose and went out to bring in a tea tray and food. Rose refused any. She was breathless with excitement.
‘Well, Rose? We’re waiting for your explanation,’ Lottie said with mild irritation.
‘I was abandoned when I was only a week old,’ she began. Lottie gave a sigh. Greg looked away. Jake said, ‘As I was, remember? It happens, love.’
‘I was left in a shoe box with only a thin covering to protect me. My mother was obviously hoping I would die, wouldn’t you say? It was in October. A cruel month and a cruel mother.’ At this Lottie frowned and glanced at Sam.
Rose faced Greg and, raising her voice, said. ‘That’s why I could never marry you, Greg. You see, your mother, Lottie, sometimes known as Kay, is my mother too.’
She seemed very calm now and she looked at Lottie who stared at her, her hand gripping Sam’s. ‘You’re so wrong,’ Lottie whispered.
Sam put an arm around Lottie’s shoulders. ‘Kay, my dear, I think it’s time to tell Zena and Greg everything.’
‘Kay! That’s what gave you away! All my foster parents told me was that my mother was Kay something. When I heard your husband call you Kay, I knew.’ There was a brief tense silence and Greg offered, ‘Perhaps Mrs Conelly meant the letter K as the first letter of a name? Katherine? Kate? Karen?’
Lottie raised a hand for quiet. She reached out to her son and daughter. ‘I’m sorry my darlings, I wouldn’t have chosen to tell you like this but, yes, I did have a child, long before I met your father. I was barely sixteen and ignorant. But the child was cared for, adopted legally, loved and grieved over, and certainly not abandoned in a shoe box.’
‘That’s what the Conellys told me and I believe them. Thrown away with the rubbish! Cruelly abandoned with little hope of my being found.’
‘I’m not your mother, Rose. And I’m thankful for that. You’ve used your beginnings as an excuse for misery and resentment and cruel lies.’
‘It’s the truth.’ She pointed at Lottie. ‘Your saintly mother deprived me of everything most take for granted. I had nothing. No love, no family, no history, nothing. She ruined my life.’
Into the stunned silence, Lottie said, ‘Sorry, Rose, but the child I had, born in October 1919, was a boy.’
It was a very subdued threesome who went back to London. Rose went to her flat, refusing to stay with Madeleine; Jak
e went to his miserable room and Madeleine went home filled with remorse for her interference and shameful support for an unhappy and bitter girl.
They didn’t meet again.
Two days later, Jake gave his notice and a month later, went back to Cold Brook Vale. He didn’t contact Zena but saw her occasionally, often with Kevin, sometimes on his arm and often flying past on the motor bike. He didn’t know where to go next, what to do. He knew he was good at selling and maybe there was a future for him in that field, but all he wanted for a few weeks was a simple, quiet life to mull over all that had happened.
Greg thought of the narrow escape he’d had and proposed to Susie, but the mood was wrong, he knew that and regretted not waiting. The family was in shock, emotions deadened by the revelations about Lottie and the misplaced revenge carried out against the family by Rose.
Ze#na knew Jake was back, staying at the usual lodgings but didn’t contact him. She too wanted time to think over what had happened and Kevin, good-natured Kevin who asked nothing and simply offered a friendly arm to hold, was all she needed.
For Zena and Greg, the shock of learning about their mother having a child was slowly accepted. Rose’s bitterness based on untruths was hard to understand.
Susie turned down Greg’s proposal of marriage, promising to reconsider once the pain and shocks had subsided.
Life was a quiet interlude; they were all licking their wounds and making plans for pleasanter things.
Chapter Twelve
Zena continued sorting through the cupboards of Roy Roberts feeling sad at his sudden death. She regretted not having learned the facts about his disagreement with his wife. He had hinted that the truth was not what his wife had told their sons. It was a story that needed telling for the sake of William who was so angry with him, and Dick and especially for young Jack who wanted to believe his father wasn’t the villain his mother had described.
She had a sack in which to throw stuff obviously of no value, old newspapers and torn letters, receipts years out of date, broken records, abandoned toys. A row of boxes lined up against the wall were for other items which needed to be considered by the sons. If in doubt she put aside items she thought might be worth saving. One box held papers for the sons to search through. They might include details about the family that the boys would want to keep. Surely even William would want to save anything relevant to his family’s history?
The End of a Journey Page 27