by Gait, Paul;
Rupert, in the meantime, had returned euphorically to Joanne’s room to await her return, receiving hearty congratulations from John and the nursing staff on the way.
He felt contented. The act of becoming a Dad had made him feel wonderfully happy. But why? Nothing had changed. He was still in the same predicament as before, but suddenly the world had taken on a rosy glow.
The gloom and depression had lifted. The mask of self-pity vanished. Was this the start of a new beginning? He recalled the words from Starlight Express played at Geoffery’s funeral. ‘Just believe in yourself, The sea will part before you, Stop the rain, turn the tide.’ Perhaps Geoffery was still helping him after all.
Hearing footsteps, he assumed John had returned but it was Andy who came through the door.
‘Andy, what brings you here? Have you heard my news? I’m a Dad,’ Rupert said, excitedly without waiting for a reply.
‘Oh, many congratulations,’ Andy said, going over to him and pumping his hand. ‘Well done. ..well done,’ he beamed. ‘Are they both OK?’
‘Jo had to have a caesarean and the baby was premature so is in intensive care.’
‘Premature, what was his weight?’
‘I think they said two pound two ounces.’
‘Oh I’m sorry to hear that.’
‘No, don’t be. I’m assured that they’ll be OK. The staff around here are brilliant.’
‘Have you thought of a name yet?’
‘I think we’re going to call him Jeffery, with a ‘J’ not a ‘G’; after my Uncle.’
‘Good…good.’ Andy said, becoming distant. ‘Umm…this probably isn’t the right time then…but the reason that I’m here. The Police want to interview you again.’
‘Oh God! Not again.’
‘I said I’d come down and help them…and you. They’re waiting outside.’
‘The Police…why do they have to spoil things? That’s the last thing I want at this time.’
‘Yes, I appreciate that, but they have to charge Sue within the next few hours or they’ll have to release her.
You have to tell them the truth about her not being in the car with you,’ Andy implored.
‘I can’t… She will get out of prison sometime and she will hunt us down, I know it.’ Rupert said, fearfully. The first test of his new resolve had failed at the first hurdle. He had reverted to type. ‘And my son deserves a better start than me constantly looking over my shoulder.’
‘At some stage in your life, you have to make a stand. Otherwise you will always live in fear. When one episode is over, you will just start fearing the arrival of the next incident. That’s no way to live your life.’
‘I know, I know…but If only it was that simple!’
‘Nobody said it was going to be easy. Nothing worth having in life is…’
‘I can’t…it’s too risky.’
‘One thing I can guarantee, is that unless you make a stand, you will always be in the same situation. She will continue to haunt you.’
Rupert paced around the room trying to resolve the conflict in his head. After a few minutes deliberation he ‘tapped’ into his new resolve and agreed to see the Police. Andy led them in.
‘Thanks for seeing us. You’ve already met my colleague John Sparrow, I’m Sergeant Graham Fredericks,’ the Policeman said. ‘Congratulations on becoming a Dad.’
‘Thanks.’ Rupert said, his excitement, now subdued.
‘I’m dreadfully sorry to bother you at a time like this. But we are at a critical point in our investigations and your earlier statement about your wife being a passenger in your car is stopping us moving forward.’
‘Oh.’
‘It’s all down to you Mr Screen. As you know, your wife is saying that she was a passenger in your car and therefore couldn’t have been the driver of the Polo, who caused the dreadful accident. Obviously I don’t need to remind you of the seriousness of the accident, which put you and Joanne into hospital,’ he said, trying to evoke some desire for revenge.
‘I ask you again. Is that correct? Was Mrs Williams-Screen in the car with you?’
Rupert looked at the floor, his mind full of uncertainty.
‘If you confirm she was with you and you are subsequently found to have been lying, you will be charged with perjury. Do you understand?’
‘Yes.’
‘I also have to advise you that perjury carries a prison sentence. I’ll give you a few minutes to think about it.’
‘No, no, I don’t need time,’ Rupert replied, firmly. ‘I need to be thinking about my family. My little boy needs me to be strong. He is so small. I need to be there for him, especially while his Mother is poorly’
‘Yes, I’m sorry.’
‘She was definitely ….’
‘Damn,’ the Policeman cursed inside, ‘she’s off the hook again.’
‘Definitely…NOT in the car with us. She forced me to lie. She threatened us all. I’m sorry.’ Rupert said, all in a rush; relieved at last he had found the guts to disobey her.
‘At last! We’ve got her. Thank you.’ The Policeman heaved a sigh of relief.
‘What about…my earlier statement?’ Rupert asked, glumly.
‘We know what she’s like. Don’t worry, we won’t be pressing charges against you. But we’ll add threatening witnesses to the charge sheet. Right, let’s get her charged. Causing death by dangerous driving, together with the manslaughter charge will see her banged up for a long time.’
‘See?’ Andy said, putting his arm round Rupert’s shoulders…’the Lion has found some courage after all. Now you’re on the yellow brick road, at last.’
CHAPTER SIXTY SEVEN
12th February
After persuading Rupert to tell the truth and destroy Sue’s alibi, Andy drove straight home.
During the journey up the motorway, he reflected on the changes that had occurred in Geoffery’s Godsons.
Perhaps Geoffery’s legacy was more subtle than he’d imagined. Maybe it wasn’t just about the money. Possibly, it was all about transforming the Godsons characters for the better.
His comparison with OZ characters was surprisingly spot on, he thought.
Good old Rupert; the lion looking for courage. Well he’d certainly found some at last. He has clearly discovered a hidden pool of emotional resilience and tapped into it, thereby breaking the shackles of fear with which Sue’s violence had bound him. Perhaps, the crash along with his loving relationship with Joanne and the life changing event of becoming a father had been the catalyst. Hopefully with the ogre of a wife behind bars again, he will be able to escape her fearful influence for ever.
Then of course there’s the amazing change in Tim; the tin man looking for a heart. The formerly self-centred individual has revealed a different side to his character. He has a ‘heart’ after all…what with taking Rupert under his wing to protect him from his cruel wife; paying for Joanne’s protection team and, apparently, even offering to donate some of his liver to James. I guess Carrie’s, PTSD problem must have helped put his life in to a different perspective.
James the quiet one; the Scarecrow looking for a brain. I’m not sure you got that one right though, Geoffery. At least he’s still off the booze but has a mountain to climb as far as his health is concerned. Having said that, perhaps bartering with Tim for a ‘slice’ of his liver in exchange for his business expertise was an inspired plan. Getting Tim’s planned walking company off the ground would be an excellent joint venture.
As to himself, he decided that he must also ‘stand up and be counted’. It was time to tell Helen about the Monaco room and corridor incidents and accept the consequences.
Meanwhile, Sergeant Fredericks had made his way to the prison, where Sue was being detained, and arranged to interview her again. She was brought up from the cells and led into the interview room.
‘Sit there please,’ the warder instructed, pointing at a chair the far side of a large, graffiti scratched wooden table.
Shortly after, Sergeant Fredericks entered, acknowledging the warden. He strode over to the table.
‘Mrs Williams-Screen, I’ve come to talk to you about your role in the multivehicle collision on December 23rd.’
‘And it’s about time too!’ she said, contemptuously. ‘I shall be writing to my MP about this false imprisonment. Let me out this instant.’ She stood up and started walking towards the door.
‘I suggest you sit down again,’ Sergeant Fredericks directed firmly.
Standing her ground, she glared at him.
Unfazed by her arrogance, the Sergeant sat down himself and took his notebook from his pocket. ‘We’ve just been to see your husband.’
‘And he has obviously told you that I was in his car the night of the accident. So what are you waiting for? Release me immediately.’
‘I’m afraid not. I believe you won’t be seeing the outside of Her Majesty’s prisons for a long while.’
‘What do you mean?’ she demanded, moving back toward the interview table.
‘Your husband has told us that you were NOT in his car on the night of the accident.’
‘Well he’s obviously forgotten,’ she said, flummoxed by the news. ‘You realise he was injured. He had brain damage. It’s obviously given him memory loss.’
‘Furthermore, he told us that you threatened to kill his young lady if he told us the truth,’ the Sergeant continued, ignoring her interruption.
Sue could see the ‘noose closing in’ on her and she was desperately trying to think of another reason to discredit the revelation. ‘Well that’s a pack of lies. His mind is clearly damaged. My lawyers will rip his evidence apart.
‘We have another witness who saw you in the Black Polo which followed your husband’s car out of the Hotel Car park on the night of the 23rd,’ he lied, exaggerating Andy’s observation.
‘Well, he’s…mistaken. It wasn’t me. He’s…a… lying….This is yet another conspiracy,’ Sue ranted, her face contorted with rage. She stood up and leant across the table, glaring at the Policeman, banging her fist aggressively on it to emphasise her point.
The warder was on his way to restrain her, but the Sergeant signalled him back.
‘Do you want to add assaulting a Police Officer to the already long charge sheet? If so, carry on,’ he goaded, preparing himself to take avoiding action, if she tried to hit him. ‘Because I’d like to see you try. You’re obviously a cowardly bully and a nasty piece of work. Prison is the right place for you and your kind.’
Sue’s tough veneer started to crack. The prospect of spending years behind bars was frightening her.
‘OK, I was there. But somebody else caused it. It wasn’t me!’
‘Just like you didn’t cause the death of the Gravedigger,’ the Policeman said sarcastically. ‘Or intimidate witnesses, or kidnap people or blackmail somebody. Sorry, but your halo has slipped. The Crown Prosecution Service has confirmed that you will be charged. Take her down officer.’
‘I demand to see my Lawyer. I shall instruct him to get me bailed as soon as possible. I’ll make sure that you lose your job over this. You’ll regret ever messing with me,’ she threatened, her face white with anger.’ We’ll take you and the Police force to the cleaners.’
‘You’ll have to do better than that. I’ve been threatened by tougher people than you. Still, you’ll have plenty of time to think about it, when you’re locked away. OK officer,’ he said, gesturing to the warden.
The warden gently touched her arm to invite her to leave, but Sue’s anger was such that, without thinking, she swung at him. He quickly blocked the punch and with impressive speed, before she knew what had hit her, she was face down on the table with her arm high up her back.
‘Oww, you’re hurting me. Let me go, this instant,’ she shrieked.
‘Stop struggling and I’ll let you up,’ the warden demanded.
After a few minutes, Sue did as she was told, fear now replacing her anger. She couldn’t think of anything else to say to mitigate the charges. She had to accept the inevitable; she was unlikely to wriggle out of the situation easily.
I’m sorry,’ she grovelled, as she was led away. ‘I didn’t mean it,’ she pleaded. I didn’t mean it.’
‘Tell that to the poor sods whose lives you’ve ruined.’ The Sergeant said, quietly.
CHAPTER SIXTY EIGHT
12th February
Finally, reaching home, Andy parked the Merc and went through the front door with great anticipation, ready to confess all and await the consequences. As he strode purposefully through the hall to find Helen, he was annoyed to see Kay in the lounge.
‘Damn and blast it,’ he thought. He had rehearsed in his mind what he was going to say and where he was going to say it, but Kay’s presence threatened to derail his plans.
‘Oh hello Kay, nice to see you,’ he lied. ‘I’ve got some great news, Rupert’s a Dad. Joanne had to have a Caesar and the baby, a boy, was born earlier today. It’s in the Special Care unit because it’s very premature.’
‘Oh how lovely,’ she said, beaming. ‘How are they both?’
‘OK from what I gather.’
‘How’s Rupert taking it?’
‘Oh, he’s over the moon.’
He found Helen in the kitchen making tea for herself and Kay.
Helen turned and acknowledged his presence, but didn’t move away from her task.
He steeled himself for the confession, his stomach churning, unsure now how to start.
‘Helen, I… I’ve got something to confess.’
‘Yes?’
‘I have not been particularly open with you about what happened in Monaco.’
‘Oh?’ she said, anticipating what was coming.
‘I…umm.’
‘Yes?’ she teased.
‘I had a little too much wine…and I…mmm.’
‘Go on,’ she said, enjoying watching him squirm.
‘I passed out in…in…Nadine’s room.’
‘You did what?’ she said enjoying the moment.
‘I passed out…in Nadine’s hotel room.’
‘Yes, I know. So why didn’t you tell me this before?’ she said, sternly.
‘What! You knew?’ Andy said, taken aback by her response.
‘Were you going to tell me about being videoed too?’ Helen added.
Much to Andy’s consternation, she left the kitchen and carried the tea tray into the lounge. He followed instinctively behind her.
‘How come you knew about me being in Nadine’s room and being caught on camera?’ he asked, perplexed.
‘You’ve heard the expression, ‘beware your sins will find you out?’
‘Yes, of course.’
‘Well, clearly you weren’t going to tell me, but somebody else thought I ought to know.’
Helen put the tray on a small coffee table and sat down on the settee. Andy sat next to her.
Andy, looked across at Kay, who smiled back.
‘So you know, I wasn’t having an affair. It was just as I said, all along.’
‘So I’m led to believe.‘
‘So are we… talking to each other again?’
‘I suppose so.’
‘I’m so sorry. I didn’t plan any of this,’ he said, putting his hand on hers. ‘It just… happened.’
‘Your ‘caring nature’ got you into trouble, that’s what it was,’ she said, generously.
‘Yes, I suppose.’
‘Oh, by the way, I’ve booked us a meal out at the Queens Head.’
‘A meal! What about the kids?’
‘No they’re not coming.’
‘I know that, but who’s babysitting?’
‘I am,’ Kay said, smiling.
‘You’d better get ready; the table’s booked for seven thirty.’
Andy felt like a ten ton weight had been lifted off his shoulders, perhaps his erotic dream that he’d had on Nadine’s sofa had been about the wrong person. He hoped he would find out later that nigh
t.
Also available by GHP
Godsons – Counting Sunsets
(The prequel to this novel)
Paul Gait
Like most Godfathers Geoffery Foster had little to do with his Godchildren after their christenings. But he is determined to rectify that omission before he dies.
Together with his hospice nurse, Andy Spider, Geoffery embarks on a quest to find and improve his three Godsons lives.
But their mission isn’t easy as they soon uncover the problems of childhood Meningitis amputee Tim, the alcoholic ‘drop out’ James and the abused husband Rupert.
Coupled with a mysterious fire, a teenage runaway, the guilt of an intimate session with somebody else’s new bride and a high stake gamble with Geoffery’s life in the hands of a woman spurned.
Readers Comments
It’s a page turner
Couldn’t put it down until I’d finished it
Took the phone off the hook and read it from cover to cover. A good read.
A sensitive subject delicately handled.
It’s not about death and dying, it’s about hope and inspiration.
Can’t wait to see what happens to the characters next.
This eBook is published by
Grosvenor House Publishing Ltd
28-30 High Street, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 3EL.
www.grosvenorhousepublishing.co.uk
All rights reserved
Copyright © Paul Gait, 2013
The right of Paul Gait to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with Section 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
The book cover image is copyright to Paul Gait
ISBN 978-1-78148-219-3 in electronic format
ISBN 978-1-78148-218-6 in printed format
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