“Would they?”
“Of course, even though it’s pretty certain that nothing happened to her they would have to make sure.But I’d say that’s the end of it.”
“Why do you think so?”
“I’m not sure really but I think it was no accident that Grace was missing for sixteen hours and not a whisper of it hit the media.I’d say Jack or one of his handlers arranged a media blackout.”
“Oh God!I was so worried I never thought of it that way.But now that you say it, it is strange.I’ll leave well alone.I feel quite relieved.Hey, know what? I’d love to walk the prom before I pick up the girls from school.Just to restore a touch of normality to my life.”
“There’s a wind today that would skin a brass monkey but that coat looks pretty cosy.I’ll walk out the Claddagh with you and then I’ll have to go back to work and leave you to the elements.”
Nicola, knowing there was something quite unreal about the whole situation, was glad that Alice could show such a normal front to the outside world when inside she must be in turmoil.
It was several days before Nicolawas able to give Alice’s case much thought again, though she remained slightly nervous that Jack Madden might try and contact her or Alice.
Oddly enough her next contact with The Coven was from Hugo.He phoned her on her mobile one evening and asked if they could discuss Alice.He asked if he could come and see her or could they meet in town as he didn’t want Alice to know that he was worried about her.They agreed to meet in a pub in Newcastle within the hour and Nicola decided to broach the subject of Eliza and their daughter if the occasion arose.
Hugo was waiting for her when she went into the pub.He seemed anxious.He had a soda water in front of him and asked what he could get her.
“I’ll have a camomile tea if they have it,” she smiled.“Life’s no fun anymore.You have to plan any trip out with military precision if you want to drink alcohol so it’s just easier not to drink at all.It must be good for sales of tea and soda water, whatever about alcohol.”
Hugo smiled, though she noticed that the smile didn’t reach his eyes.
“What’s bothering you?” she asked as soon as he had ordered the tea for her.
“Well, I’m uneasy because I saw someone prowling around in the back paddock two days ago and again this morning.”
“Did you speak to him?”
“It was a woman and, no, I didn’t speak to her.”
“What do you mean by prowling?”
“Well, she wasn’t walking briskly.She seemed to be more loitering and she didn’t appear to be looking for something, like a dog, either.”
“Maybe she was just communing with nature.Why does it concern you?”
“I doubt she was communing with nature.It was bitterly cold. After Grace’s little escapade I just thought that maybe Jack Madden is up to something.”
“I don’t think so.I don’t think he’ll do anything odd at this time.However, when we get a court date I hope that hewon’t then try any intimidation. We never told you but Cassandra’s brakes were tampered with before the court hearing andI’m pretty sure he was behind that.And I also suspect he paid a client of mine to make a false accusation against me that could have ended my career.”
Hugo was aghast. “Oh, surely he wouldn’t have gone that far!”
“It’s hard to believe, yes. But we’re pretty sure it was him.We have to remember that this is a man ruthless enough to pitch his partner and children out on the streets when they turned out to be a liability. And, also, he threatened me when I first phoned him.” She looked at Hugo and sighed. “I’m really sorry to have to tell you all this, Hugo. I hope to God none of it impacts on you and Eliza.”
“Nicola,” he reached out and patted her hand, “Eliza and I know we are taking risks sheltering women who are seeking escape from abusive partners. So don’t feel guilty about it.”
“Thank you, Hugo, but I can’t help feeling somewhat responsible.”
He sipped his soda water, looking thoughtful. “I’m wondering now if I should hire some security.”
“Well, as I said, I don’t think anything will happen just now. Keep an eye on things and if you see anything you think is really suspicious you should inform the Gardaí, though if it has anything to do with Jack Madden we know he has at least a few friends in the Garda. And, Hugo, don’t tell Alice about what I’ve just told you and maybe it would be wise not to tell Eliza either. They both have enough to be worrying about.”
“You’re right.Eliza’s surgery is on Friday and she will be in for at least ten days after that.I know she’s dreading it.”
“Go home and look after her.These days before the surgery are the worst.”
Hugo smiled.“You’re right,” he said.
“Hugo . . . on another matter . . .” Nicola took a deep breath.
“Yes?”
“You can tell me to mind my own business if you like but I was wondering if you think it would be all right if I tried to trace your daughter and tell her about Eliza.”
Hugo’s face just dropped.She knew she had really touched a nerve and was immediately sorry she had said anything.
“Oh, God, Hugo!I’m sorry.I just thought that if my mother was going through what Eliza is going through I really would want to know.I was thinking if you knew the names of any of her friends I could try and trace her through them.We need not tell Eliza at all unless it turns out well.What do you think?”
Hugo’s voice was not quite steady when he spoke.“That is very kind of you.But Lizzie was so angry with us I don’t know how you would be received.Did you know that we don’t even know the names of her children?”
“I was aware that ties were completely cut but time often makes a difference.But I’m sorry – I shouldn’t have brought this up at this time.Try and forget I said it and look after Eliza and yourself.”
“No,” Hugo said.“If she wants to mend fences I have no doubt that Eliza would be absolutely thrilled – but you’re right, we shouldn’t mention it to her until we see if you can trace Lizzie and talk to her.”
“Do you have a starting point?”
“I do know the name and last known address of her best friend when she was in Galway.I will email them to you. And, if you don’t mind, don’t mention it again until you know the outcome.”
“Thanks, Hugo.I understand. Give my best to Eliza.I will call to her in the hospital when she’s a few days over the surgery.”
Lizzie’s friend’s name and address arrived by email an hour later. Nicola rang Cassandra and left a message on her machine.She didn’t know where to start with this.
Séamus phoned just to say hello and she felt a warm glow when she heard his voice.They chatted for about an hour and made arrangements to go to the cinema later in the week.She felt more content than she had in years as she got ready for bed.
Chapter 15
Driving into work next morning Nicola was composing a letter to Lizzie’s friend Deirdre Daly in her head.She really needed to hit the right note.If she was too brusque, Deirdre would tell Lizzie that someone from Galway was looking for her on behalf of her parents and Lizzie would give instructions that that person was not to be assisted in finding her.She was also considering just looking her up in the phone directory and, if she could find her, just ringing her.She wished Cassandra would get in touch – she was much more used to clandestine meetings and arrangements so she might have some useful advice to give.
They had not really discussed how they would work this if they managed to get Lizzie’s address from her friend. Would they both go to London and when would that be?When they got there what would they say and how would they react if, when they arrived at the door, Lizzie wouldn’t speak to them.It was all so complicated that Nicola was beginning to regret that she had started the ball rolling at all but now that she had mentioned it to Hugo and he had agreed there was no going back.
It was lunchtime before Cassandra rang her.She had been away overnight at some corporat
e event and had not got back to Galway till noon.She was in a hurry as she had another engagement in the afternoon.
Nicola quickly explained about her meeting with Hugo – the bit where she asked him about contacting Lizzie – not the reason they had met in the first place.
Cassandra was excited. “That’s great news! When do you intend getting in touch with the friend. Did you say her name is Deirdre?”
“I’m not sure really how to start. Is there any chance you could come over to my place this evening and we could discuss the possibilities? Or are you busy?”
Nicola saw no irony in the question but Cassandra laughed.
“No. I’m free as it happens.”
“Great. Come over around seven. I’ll order a Chinese and we can discuss what we should do.”
“See you then.”
By the time Cassandra arrived at her apartment Nicola had already searched online for a phone number for Deirdre Daly but could find none that coincided with her address.There was nothing for it but to write a letter.The two women discussed in great detail what to write and after much soul-searching and debate the letter was drafted.
Dear Deirdre,
We are writing to you on behalf of Eliza and Hugo Lynch.We are very anxious to trace their daughter Lizzie and we understand that you may know her whereabouts in London.We have important family news to tell her and to be truthful we are hoping to persuade her to come and see her parents.We appreciate that she has, in the past, made it clear that she did not wish to have contact with her parents but we would like, in the light of the news we need to tell her, to give her the option to change her mind.
We would be very grateful if you could see your way to letting us have her address without letting her know that we are going to call.We appreciate that this is a strange request but we feel that if she knew we were coming she might just disappear.She may be willing to speak to us if she meets us face to face even though, obviously, she would still have the option not to do so.
We appreciate that this out of the blue and would welcome an opportunity to speak with you on the phone.We would very much welcome an early response because we are hoping to go over to London next week.
Kind regards,
Nicola McCarthy: Mobile: 087/6336372; email:[email protected]
Cassandra Grey: Mobile: 089/5664391; email:[email protected]
They read and re-read the letter several times, changing a word here, a sentence there.In the end Cassandra insisted that they had done enough and they printed it up and put it in an envelope.
“I hope she answers quickly,” Nicola said.“I think it would be good if Lizzie came to see her mother soon.If it works it could significantly aid her recovery.”
“We’ll just have to wait and see,” Cassandra said solemnly.
Both women knew that they were treading on dangerous ground and were very apprehensive about the possible outcome.
The doorbell rang at around eight thirty. The Chinese had arrived.They hadn’t ordered wine but Nicola found a bottle at the bottom of a press which she suspected Jonathan had stashed for a rainy day.It was a Chablis – not exactly vintagebut it would do the trick.
“You can stay in the spare room,”Nicola said to Cassandra. “Otherwise you would have to get a cab and come back in the morning for your car.”
“Yes, I’ll stay,” Cassandra said.“It’s easier.”
As they ate their meal they planned their possible trip to London. They would both try and arrange to take the following Friday off work and fly from Galway to Luton on the morning flight, go to see Lizzie that day and come back on the first flight the next day.If Nicola couldn’t get the Friday off they would just go on the Saturday.They looked up the flights on the internet and had a look at lastminute.com to see what hotels might be suitable, though they couldn’t really make any choices about location until they found out where Lizzie lived, if indeed they did find out.
Chapter 16
Cassandra and Nicola travelled to London on the early morning flight.They arrived at eight thirty and almost immediately got the Tube to Marble Arch. There was only one flight from Galway a day so they would arrive early enough to browse around the shops. There was also plenty of time to locate where Lizzie lived in case it wasn’t easy to find.
Her friend had been surprisingly co-operative.
“Just so long as you don’t tell her who gave you her address,” she said apprehensively.“She’ll never forgive me if she isn’t happy to see you.”
“Thank you so much,” Nicola said.“It is very important.”
“I guessed that.Total strangers wouldn’t try and contact her with family news unless it was serious.I know if it was me I’d want to know – but please, please, please, don’t tell her it was me!”
“Of course we won’t,” Nicola reassured her and delightedly took down the address and phone number though she had nointention of phoning in advance.The element of surprise was essential in this case.Lizzie was to be given no opportunity to refuse to see them.
“I love London,” Cassandra said when they were on the way into the city.
“Metoo!Or rather I used to until my last trip.”Nicola sounded grumpy.
“Why so?”
“Well, Jonathan had rather romantically decided to bring mehere for my twenty-fifth birthday.I was delighted.But the weekend was a disaster. I should have dumped him then and saved myself a whole lot of bother.”
“Why was it such a disaster?”Cassandra could think of nothing nicer than to be in London with the man you love, in particular if it was a birthday treat.
“Well, though it was a birthday trip for me, he had arranged to call to a number of small galleries who had in the past expressed an interest in his paintings.”
“Killing two birds with the one stone,” Cassandra chimed in.“What was wrong with that?”
“Nothing, except that none of the galleries was in a position to offer him exhibition space at that time so by the afternoon of the first day he was in foul humour and not in the least interested in showing me a good time.”
“Oh.That must have been disappointing.”
“It was miserable and we could have been anywhere. Except that I could have got home fairly easily if we were in Ireland.I really should have known then that he was a selfish bastard but when you’re in love you can get over things like that – the first few times at least.”
“Women are dead tolerant when they are in love – too much so,” Cassandra mused.“Not that I have any recent experience myself but when you look at all of us – Alice, you, me and probably Lizzie – we have all been badly treated by men we loved and we let them away with it.”
“Not anymore. It’s time we started to look after ourselves and each other and if we’re lucky enough to meet a good man on the way that will be an extra bonus.”
“I wouldn’t hold my breath,” Cassandra said doubtfully.
“The optimistic social worker in me has to believe that most men are nice people, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to do my job!”
They were both laughing as they came out of the Tube station.
Right in the centre of London by ten thirty, the women wondered what they should do next.They decided to browse around the shops until lunchtime, have lunch and then book into their hotel. Lizzie lived in Wimbledon and her friend had told them that she worked as a PA to an executive in a public relations company and that her children were school-going.She told them that Lizzie worked a short day and picked up the children from school and would probably be at home from around four thirty. The plan was to reconnoitre the place after lunch and then go back around teatime when they were fairly sure that Lizzie and her family would be at home.It all seemed quite simple really – so why were they both feeling extremely anxious, Nicola wondered.
Now that they were in London the enormity of the situation hit them.If Lizzie shut the door in their faces they would have to face Hugo, already under enormous strain, with the news that his daughter did not want to
see him or her mother, no matter what the circumstance. She shuddered at the thought.
They strolled around Oxford Street.It was a bitter November day but the Christmas decorations had been erected and there was a festive air.They looked in Hamley’s even though neither of them had a child.
“Do you think we should bring the children a present?”Cassandra wondered.
“Given we only have a general idea of their ages and have no clue of their interests I don’t think that would be practical,” Nicola answered doubtfully.“Maybe we can bring Lizzie a box of chocolates or something.”
“A bit of a cliché, don’t you think?”
“Do you have a better idea?A Highland Malt perhaps or a bottle of poitín?”
“No.Sorry.”
The social worker in Nicola took over. “Think about it this way.We don’t know her.We don’t know her children.We don’t know how we will be received.There is no ideal gift for this situation.Chocolates it will have to be.”
“You’re right.We can buy them when we get to Wimbledon.”
But Nicola couldn’t resist a cute little wooden toy for her niece.
“This is something I couldn’t get in Galway. I’ve started on my Christmas shopping in November! How sad is that?One down– about twenty to go!”
They had a leisurely lunch and got the Tube to Wimbledon.The journey took about forty-five minutes. Cassandra regaled Nicola with a tale about an American client who had taken her to Wimbledon several years before.She was delighted to be there but he was only interested in entertaining some corporate clients so she spent the day of the final helping him ply the client with champagne and strawberries and she hardly saw the tennis – except for the part when the winner was presented with the trophy.The only consolation was that she was paid handsomely for her efforts.
“I always wanted to be a good tennis player,” Nicolasaid.
Who is Alice? Page 14
