by Liz Mistry
With his Mum, Dad, Taffy, Compo, Mo and Naila grouped around him, Gus was reassured. This wouldn’t be easy – course it wouldn’t. However, with the support of his friends and family it would be bearable – survivable, and he and Patti could go back to his house and recover. Naila looked pale – washed out and Mo had lost weight. Looks like things with Zarqa are no better. He was aware that his friends had had showed up, not to mourn the deceased, but to support him and Gus was thankful for it. When the hearse drew up, Gus inhaled sharply. This was the second funeral in the same number of days and he’d had second thoughts about attending this one. Izzie Dimou’s cremation the previous day had been sad – only he, his parents, Nancy, Compo and Taffy were there. What a way to leave this earth. Poor Izzie had nobody to mourn her. When the purple curtains had closed and they’d turned to leave the crematorium he’d spotted a figure, head bowed, sitting at the back of the small chapel. It was Gianni Doukus, Izzie’s ex-boyfriend. At least someone who loved her had been there to see her off on her final journey.
Today’s funeral, although not as tragic as Izzie’s – in Gus’ mind at least – would be only slightly better attended. Staring straight ahead as the undertakers removed Daniel Farrier’s coffin from the vehicle, Gus struggled not to kick it. Another black vehicle pulled up behind the hearse and Gabriella and Katie got out. Corrine McGuire moved forward and slipped her hand into Gus’ other hand and squeezed. He sent a tight smile in her direction and then focussed his attention on the two women.
Katie gave a slight nod and linked her arm through her partner’s. Gabriella’s cheeks were hollow, her face ashen with crease marks spreading out over her forehead as she stepped towards Gus. Aware of a pulse ticking by his right eye, Gus braced himself. Last time they’d met Gabriella had rained a barrage of punches on him. Would she do the same today?
Gabriella’s gaze drifted over the huddle of people waiting to enter the chapel. ‘Bring reinforcements did you, Gus?’
Gus shook his head. ‘We’re all family and friends here. We’re here to support you and Katie.’
With a snort, Gaby pursed her lips. ‘Yeah, right.’ Her gaze landed on Patti, who moved closer to Gus, touching his arm with her free hand. Gabriella shrugged in a ‘you can have him’ sort of way.
‘The trouble with you Gus is that you’re too damn moral. Too set on doing the right thing that you never stop to look at the consequences of those around you. You’re always too busy saving the underdog, bringing the villains to justice – no thought for those you care about.’
His voice was thick as he spoke. ‘It’s what I am.’
Gabriella nodded, a tear in her eye and turned to Patti. ‘There’ll come a time for you too, when playing second fiddle to his morals will be too high a price to pay for your own sanity.’ Before Patti could respond, she turned back to Gus. ‘You’re here because of your twisted sense of justice. You’re here because it’s the right thing to do, regardless…’ she paused, ‘well… you know I’m right.’
Gus inclined his head. No point in lying or trying to or wrapping it up like something it wasn’t, Gabriella had got it spot on.
‘Daniel did wrong, but he was my brother.’
Gus swallowed the retort that ‘did wrong’ was rather an understatement for everything Daniel Farrier had done.
‘He had to be punished – I’m not saying he didn’t. But you drove him to this. The way you were with him in the hospital, the way you gloated, taunted him, that’s why he took that damn pill, took his own life. You forced him into that corner. You, with your self- righteous gloating, you did this to him, just like you did with Greg. You…’ she took a step forward and prodded him in the chest. ‘You killed my brother. You left him no choice and for that I won’t forgive you.’ She turned and walked into the chapel followed by Katie who cast a single backward glance in her brother’s direction.
Gus exhaled. He wasn’t to blame for Daniel Farrier’s death. On a logical level he was aware of that. However, Gabriella’s words still stung. Later, when things had died down a bit, perhaps she’d wonder who gave her brother that cyanide capsule. Maybe she’d realise in whose interests it had been for Daniel Farrier to disappear off this mortal coil quietly without the blaze of publicity a huge trial would bring.
He leaned over, kissed his mother’s cheek, shook his dad’s hand and said, ‘We’ll go. You go in, she’ll need someone.’
As he and Patti walked back to his car, he saw a lone figure leaning on the bonnet. His heart accelerated and, with an apologetic look at Patti who grinned, he sped up only to ground to a halt two feet away from Alice. What did you say to someone who’d been through everything she’d been through? Someone he’d believed could do all the things Sean Kennedy had done? Someone he’d betrayed?
He held his hands out in front of him, and swallowed hard. She was so small, so skinny. Her hair had started to grow back but the hollows in her cheeks and her sunken eyes were still there. She looked like a holocaust victim – all jaggy bones and pallor. He swallowed and opened his mouth. Then closed it again.
‘For fuck’s sake, Gus. You look like shit.’ Her lips tugged up into a shadow of the smile he was used to. The one he’d missed all these months.
How could he ever have doubted her? He stepped forward and pulled her into a gentle hug, ignoring her moaning. ‘Shut up and just let me hug you, Al. Just once.’
‘Wuss.’ She said extricating herself.
Gus grinned, ‘You got me. You gonna take some time?’
She nodded and pointed behind her. Her Mini was parked a few cars away with her parents inside. ‘We’re going to Greece for a while. Nancy’s giving me time to think my options through.’ She shuffled her feet. ‘Thing is Gus, don’t think I’ll be back. Too many memories and stuff, you know?’
Gus’ heart hammered, the tic at his temple increased. He’d realised this was a possibility and he’d made a promise to himself that he wouldn’t pressurise her. He thrust his hands in his pockets and shrugged, ‘Take all the time you need, Al. The decision has to be yours, but I’ll not replace you till you say so, okay?’
Alice nodded, stepped forward on tiptoes and kissed his cheek before turning to Patti. ‘Look after him. He’s a keeper.’ She spun on her heel, marched over to her beloved Mini and drove off.
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Readers who enjoyed Unspoken Truths will also enjoy:
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Acknowledgments
As usual, I have to give a massive ‘shout out’ to the incredible Bloodhound Books team. They are phenomenal and I’m proud to be part of their kennels. My editors, Ben Adams and Heather Fitt, are indefatigable and always have their eyes on the ball. As ever, my family have been with me on this journey and continue to inspire and support me. The Bloodhound Pups are generous with their knowledge and support. A special shout out to Pat Young and her daughter Stef for ‘that’ input – you know the bits I mean.
The bloggers, book groups and reviewers humble me with their dedication to supporting and encouraging us authors. You are an invaluable link to our readers. Love you all!
My Leeds Trinity University writing buddies are inspirational, awesome and damn hard taskmasters – thanks to Andrea, Jo, John, Kathleen, Sam, Stephanie and Suzanne for putting up with me. To
ria Forsyth-Moser, whose perception and thoughtfulness, combined with her energy and wit makes sure I’m on the right track – a huge thank you! My Leeds Trinity University PhD compadres keep me sane, assist in my research and offer advice.
I have had help and guidance from a few experts in their field and want to give them a shout out: Claire Vilarrubi whose detailed information on women’s prisons was invaluable, Henna Mistry who generously shared her knowledge of weight lifting and training reps.
However, my biggest thanks must go to you, the reader, without whom writing would be an incomplete process. If you enjoyed Unspoken Truths, please leave a review. You’ve no idea how much we authors treasure your words of wisdom.
Three delightful readers offered their names for my nefarious use in exchange for a charitable donation: Izzie Dimou’s in aid of MIND charity, Jordan Beaumont’s in aid of Cancer Research and Russell Allison-Hinton’s in aid of Longlands Care Farm. A special shout out to Russell whose name was nominated as a birthday gift. Happy Birthday in December, Russell!
As ever any mistakes are mine and so I apologise in advance. I have taken odd bits of creative licence and created a few new places … forgive me … it was all in order to enhance the story.