The Dead Woman Who Lived
Page 49
They sat in silence after this, thinking of Simon’s death, and of the broken body being lifted at that moment from the sea so close to where they sat. Sylvia saw the exhaustion on her husband’s face, and along with Margaret, said their goodnights, and left for the Island. Helena remained, sitting with Damaris, who turned to Juliana.
“I didn’t know, Juliana. I promise. I had no idea what he had done.”
She was hoarse with crying, and still shivering. Juliana hugged her.
“I believe you, Damaris. Please don’t think anyone blames you. What Jamie did, he did alone.”
She gulped after this, thinking of his terrible solitude in those last moments, the real joy in him as he thought he saw Simon. He had acted alone, and ended by dying alone. Even after all he had done, the thought of him falling to his lonely death like that saddened her beyond belief. Difficult to love someone who had caused such terrible damage around him. But more difficult still to cut off a genuine feeling, and she knew that she had felt love for Jamie. Just not enough.
Damaris took a breath and looked at them all in turn.
“I knew about him and Simon,” she said. “I went through to Jamie one night, ages ago, and Simon was there. He used to come in through the window. They were asleep in Jamie’s bed together, and even asleep they looked so happy. They loved one another. I didn’t care. All I ever wanted for Jamie was to find someone who could give him all the love he craved. I wouldn’t have ever told a soul, but I knew what would happen if Mother found out. She’d have seen them thrown in jail without a second thought. When she died, I thought that it had been Jamie. That was why I turned away from him. I couldn’t bear to be with him. Then he was poisoned himself, and despite it, I was happy again, because it didn’t seem like Jamie could be behind Mother’s death. But I didn’t know that it was he who had attacked you, Juliana, that awful night.”
She was so clearly sincere that Juliana was moved to embrace her.
“How could he?” she moaned, her head on Juliana’s shoulder, eyes closed like the light was hurting her. “And then Simon. How could he kill Simon?”
“All I know is that killing Simon sent Jamie mad,” Juliana replied. “No one saw it, Damaris. He was ill. Very ill. You are not to blame.”
Alistair turned from the fire. “The letter you received, about the nursing home. The chance for you to be a Sister. That was what was distressing you the day before Fancy died, wasn’t it? I overheard you talking to Jamie. He was urging you to ask Juliana for money.”
Juliana looked at Damaris. “Didi, why didn’t you say?”
Damaris looked ashamed. “How could I? Like a beggar? You’d already been so generous. And it was unlikely I’d ever be able to pay you back, even if I asked for a loan. After Mother died, the money wasn’t a problem. But I was in turmoil. And then Jamie was poisoned, and I forgot all about it.”
She dropped her head onto her hands. Helena pulled her into a hug, and Damaris accepted the embrace gladly.
“So he poisoned himself? To throw off any scent that might have led to him?” Helena asked, astounded.
Alistair nodded. “And to get Florence released. He was genuinely worried about her.”
Juliana leaned over and took Damaris’ hand. “Are you are going to take up the offer? It sounds like you wanted to. It might be a wonderful chance for you.”
Damaris nodded. “I am. I need to get away. I’ve lost so much here. I need somewhere new to rebuild. And everything here reminds me of Jamie.”
“You are welcome here whenever you feel like you can return,” said Juliana. “Promise to come back. You are my family now.”
Damaris hugged her, then left with Helena, who took her to the Island to spend the night. It was clear she could not sleep in her old room, with the empty bed next door. She was still in shock, but Juliana thought that she would work through it. She was strong.
Alistair left, to go upstairs and pack, ready to leave in the morning. He had called home, and was driving to Scotland to see his own family. He had a strong urge to be with them all again.
Adrien came to her, and they stood looking out into the dark, their faces reflected back by the night. He smiled down at her reflection.
“What shall we do now?” he asked. “We can go away. We could go back to Paris. Travel round Europe properly. Or Shanghai, if you would like.”
The thought was enticing, but she turned round and shook her head.
“Later, perhaps. For the moment, this is where I want to be. No more running away. This is where we belong, you and I. This is home.”
FIN
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank my family, Thomas and Edith, for their keen encouragement and unending patience while I worked at odd times and ignored my duties as a mother and wife. Thanks to Melissa, Andrew, Tania and Lacy for reading, commenting and giving much-needed feedback. Thanks also to Eliza Dee for editing the finished manuscript for me.
* * *
[1]
And now back to Alistair’s POV…
[2]
We were in Alistair’s POV; now we’re in Juliana’s…
[3]
I can’t tell if we’re back to Alistair’s POV or if Juliana can overhear this…
[4]
This seems to be from the POV of Juliana and Jamie, but later in this section, we get Alistair’s POV…
[5]
We’ve been in Alistair’s POV, but now we’re with someone who’s still at Trevennen…
[6]
We were in Juliana’s POV, now we’re in Alistair’s…
[7]
Now in Juliana’s POV again…
[8]
At this point we leave Alistair’s POV, since we don’t know what was said in the library (where we do see Ada’s movements)…