by Susan Lewis
Finding himself diverted to messages, he bit down on his frustration and assumed a kindly, measured tone as he said, ‘I wish you’d answer so we could talk. You know we need to, and remember, you’re an adult now so you shouldn’t be running away from your fears.’ He took a breath. ‘I want you to think about how much it would hurt your mother if she knew the kind of thoughts you have about me. Fantasies aren’t harmful in themselves, but they can be misconstrued, particularly when you’re getting them mixed up with reality. Remember, your mother’s carrying a baby now, and I know that deep down, you won’t want to be responsible for bringing anything bad into her world, or spoiling her dreams, especially when you helped make one of them come true. She’s always loved me, Neve, you understood that, it’s why you came to find me. And I love her. I love you too, but if you start saying things to upset her, if you try to pretend that what’s in your head is real, then you’ll leave me with no choice but to put you into the hands of another doctor. Believe me, I don’t want to do that, any more than I want you to be taken away. Your mother won’t want it either. It’ll probably break her heart, so don’t let that happen, Neve. Just make sure our secrets stay tucked up in your mind, safe from the rest of the world, and call me back as soon as you can. I really want to help you, but you have to make it possible.’
Chapter Twenty-Nine
MICHAEL GRAFTON WAS impressed by how swiftly Carl Pace had responded to his invitation to come to London. He’d received a call from Grant Mason the night before, informing him that Pace would be at the Soho offices by eight the next morning, and true to his word Pace was waiting in reception when Michael arrived, hands bunched between his stocky thighs, one foot juddering up and down with impatience, or nerves.
It was still early enough in the morning for Naomi not yet to be at her desk, so Michael took Pace up to his office where he made them both a coffee before settling down to listen to Pace’s story. All the time Pace spoke Michael was watching him closely, determined not to let the man’s appearance, or thick Mancunian accent, hold any sway. If he came across like a stereotypical football hooligan with his greying stubble, balding head, tattoos and earrings, that didn’t make either him, or his family, any less vulnerable to crime than anyone else, or guilty of criminal behaviour. And certainly, if the resonance of sincerity in his tone was anything to go by, this man truly believed that a terrible offence had been committed against his niece, for which his brother-in-law Alan Cunningham should be made to pay.
‘It makes me sick to my gut,’ he spat as he banged a fist on Michael’s desk. ‘I keep telling our Helen that she can’t let him get away with it. He should be castrated for what he did to our Julia, that’s what should happen, and I know just the people to do it. And I’m telling you this, Mr Grafton, if I weren’t a civilised man I’d have got them on it a long time ago, so that bastard’s lucky to be walking around with his equipment intact, if you catch my meaning.’
Michael nodded briefly.
‘He kept telling our Julia that it was all up here.’ He was jabbing a stubby finger to the side of his head; spittle was spraying from his lips. ‘He said she was imagining it, that it was all a fantasy, but she’s not stupid. She knew what he were doing, and God help her, she wanted it, the stupid cow. She was mad for him, but she’s a kid. What does she know? She still thinks he’s going to come back for her, that it’s only me and her mother who’re stopping him. She’s got a fucking – pardon my language – suitcase packed ready to take off on her sixteenth birthday. She won’t hear anything bad about him, and she swears if we go to the police she’ll say she made it all up and that he never laid a finger on her.’
Feeling for the man’s frustration, but still trying to remain as impartial as possible, Michael said, ‘So how do you actually know that he did?’
Pace’s face darkened. ‘You might want to stick up for the asshole, but I’m …’
‘That’s not my intention,’ Michael interrupted. ‘I’m just pointing out that this sort of thing is extremely hard to prove, and if she does have a vivid imagination …’
‘I’m telling you that man raped her,’ Pace growled. ‘She might want to call it something else, but in the eyes of the law that’s what it amounts to.’
‘Did anyone ever see them together?’
‘Aye. Her sister, Kim, but she’s afraid to speak up because our Julia keeps calling her a liar. You see, the trouble is, Mr Grafton, our Julia’s changing her story all the time, one day it’s real, the next it’s not, but she’s no virgin, I can tell you that, because her mother had her checked out. OK, I know she could have lost it to someone else, but it were Cunningham who broke her in, and he were after doing the same to our Kim, I wouldn’t be surprised. He’s not safe around young girls. He uses, abuses, his position as a head doctor, when it’s him what needs one if you ask me. He can’t be right in his bonce doing what he does. That’s not how any decent bloke would carry on, pushing himself on teenage girls who don’t know any better. He got our Julia all suckered in, so she didn’t know right from wrong any more. That’s why our Helen took it into her head to try and warn Susannah Cates about the kind of man she was involved with. As soon as she saw it on the telly, Susannah talking about her girl, then heard who Susannah’s childhood sweetheart was, she said to me, “Carl, we’ve got to do something. We can’t just sit back and let him do it again, when we know what he’s capable of.” So I told her, “For Christ’s sake woman, I’ve been saying all along that we have to go to the police,” but she wouldn’t hear any more about that. She won’t put her girls through it. Not that I blame her. Jesus Christ, do you think I want them to suffer any more than they already have? Especially our Kim. She’s that shook up about it, but the man has to be stopped.’
‘So your sister tried by sending the emails?’
‘That’s right. The first I knew about them was when your people turned up the other day asking if it were me, otherwise I’d still be on her case trying to make her see sense. You’ve got to talk to Susannah Cates, Mr Grafton. You’ve got to make her understand that growing up with that scum doesn’t make him any less of a pervert. A paedophile, that’s what he is. A fucking nonce. He might be as clever as fuck with the mind games, and those girls might look older than what they are with all their fashion and make-up, but they’re still kids, and he should be banged up out of harm’s way where he can’t mess with anyone’s head except his own. They’ll know how to deal with him on the inside, and good fucking luck to him, because he’ll need it once those lads get hold of him.’
Leaning forward, Michael pressed a button on his desk to find out if Naomi had arrived yet.
‘Good morning,’ she said, coming on to the speaker. ‘I could hear you had someone with you, so I didn’t interrupt. Would you like more coffee?’
Michael glanced at Pace, who nodded.
‘Two cups,’ Michael said. ‘Then get Marlene Wyndham on the line, and while I’m speaking to her call Grant Mason and ask if he has Alan Cunningham’s mobile number.’
‘I can give you that,’ Pace told him, and taking out his phone he began scrolling through his address book. ‘There,’ he said, tossing the Nokia across the desk. ‘You want to speak to him, I’m happy to pay for the call.’
Michael jotted down the number, then said, ‘If you don’t mind, I’m going to ask you to wait outside with my PA while I try to get hold of him. I think it’ll be in everyone’s best interests …’
‘Marlene’s on the line,’ Naomi interrupted over the intercom.
Picking up the receiver, Michael put a hand over the mouthpiece as he said to Pace, ‘I’m sure that coffee will be ready by now. I’ll come and find you as soon as I’m done here.’ After Pace had gone, he said to Marlene, ‘Have you spoken to Susannah yet this morning?’
‘About ten minutes ago. It turns out the aunt’s condition isn’t as serious as we feared, so she’s going to try and get back up here late this afternoon.’
‘Do you happen to know where she is
now?’
‘She was still at the hospital when we spoke, where she’s been all night apparently.’
Michael was looking pensive. ‘OK,’ he said. ‘I’ll get back to you.’ After disconnecting, he dialled Alan Cunningham’s mobile number.
Cunningham picked up on the third ring with a gruff ‘Hello.’
‘Mr Cunningham, it’s Michael Grafton here. I hope this is a convenient time.’
Sounding polite, but wary, Alan said, ‘My lawyer passed on your message. I believe you want to talk about the emails my estranged wife sent to Susannah.’
‘Amongst other things,’ Michael confirmed. ‘You’re probably aware that we had them traced by a private investigator, who’s since spoken to your brother-in-law, Carl Pace.’
‘I am.’
‘I’ve just been speaking to Mr Pace myself,’ Michael continued, ‘so I’ve heard, first-hand, his version of what’s supposed to have happened between you and his niece.’
‘Really? Well, if you’ve met him, you’ll have seen for yourself what kind of man he is, but frankly, Mr Grafton, what you do or don’t think of his version of what’s supposed to have happened is of no interest to me. The man’s a liar, his niece is a fantasist, and I’m sick to death of the way they keep hounding me.’
‘Just tell me something,’ Michael said, ‘does Susannah know anything about this?’
‘What do you think?’
‘That she probably doesn’t.’
‘And it would suit you very well indeed, wouldn’t it, if you could prove that Carl Pace’s story was genuine, because we all know you’ve been dying to get your hands on Susannah ever since she came for an audition. Before probably, it’ll be why you called her in.’
‘I don’t know why you’re adopting such an aggressive tone, Mr Cunningham, but I can tell you this, as far as I’m concerned Susannah has a right to know who those emails came from and why they were sent. Whose version of events she chooses to believe will be up to her. Good day,’ and before Cunningham could reply he cut the line dead.
* * *
Susannah had just flagged down a taxi when her mobile started to ring. Seeing it was Michael she clicked on right away, saying, ‘Can I call you back in a few minutes?’
‘No problem,’ he responded. ‘Use this number.’
After disconnecting she hugged Patsy tightly. ‘Thanks for staying with us,’ she said. ‘We needed the moral support, and Lola was glad to see you were there when she woke up.’
With a smile Patsy said, ‘It took us a while to understand what she was saying, but obviously her sense of humour’s still intact.’
Susannah laughed. ‘The joke of it is, I don’t think she has any life insurance, but it was a funny moment anyway. Are you going to work now?’
‘After I’ve been home to shower and change. Let me know what you’re doing. If you go up to Derbyshire, Neve’s more than welcome to come and stay with me.’
Embracing her hard, Neve said, ‘Thanks. If Mum does go, then I’ll definitely take you up on it.’
Patsy gazed curiously into her young eyes, feeling as though there was more to be seen if she could only find the right way to look. Then giving Susannah another quick hug, she jumped into her own cab, leaving Neve and Susannah to climb into theirs.
‘Are you OK?’ Susannah murmured, as Neve snuggled up to her in the back seat. ‘Tired, I expect.’
‘Yes, a bit. I don’t have to go to school today, do I?’
‘No. We’ll spend the morning catching up on some sleep, then come back to see Lola before I go on to Derbyshire.’
‘So you are going to go?’
‘I think I have to. Do you mind?’
‘Not as long as I can stay with Pats,’ and turning her face into Susannah’s shoulder she tightened her hold on her arm.
Lifting up her mobile Susannah connected to the last call, and a moment later she was through to Michael.
‘Hi,’ he said. ‘Marlene told me the news about your aunt. I’m glad it’s not serious. How is she this morning?’
‘Trying to be lively, but she’s still weak in one arm and her speech is slightly slurred. She should be fine by the end of the day apparently, at least as far as that’s concerned. She’s got a horrible cut on her head with five stitches in it, and they still haven’t decided whether or not she should have surgery to try and prevent a more serious stroke. They’ll let us know in the next forty-eight hours.’
‘Then I’ll hope for her sake that the news is good. Marlene says you’re going back to the set today.’
An ironic light flickered in Susannah’s eyes. ‘You were there when she made herself clear at the outset, no time off or changes to the schedule unless it involves death, disaster or some dastardly disease. As we managed to avoid all three I’m all out of excuses, so back to work I go.’
There was a smile in his voice as he said, ‘What about Neve?’
‘She’ll stay with my friend, Pats, who’ll probably bring her up to Derbyshire at the weekend, seeing as I have to shoot then.’
‘Good. I’m glad things are sorting themselves out. You sound exhausted.’
‘Actually, all I really feel right now is relieved that Lola’s pulling through,’ and more moved by your concern than I can allow myself to tell you, she added in her mind.
‘You know if you need anything, you only have to call.’
‘Thank you,’ she whispered, and rested her head on Neve’s.
‘Actually, there’s another reason I’m calling,’ he told her. ‘I have someone here I think you should meet. Where are you now?’
‘On my way home in a taxi. Who is it?’
‘It’s probably best if he introduces himself. If you’re feeling up to it maybe you could come here, to my office.’
Perplexed, and tired, Susannah said, ‘Does it have to be today? I’ve been up most of the night, and I was hoping to go back to the hospital before I get the train.’
‘I understand, but I think it should be today.’
‘How about I speak to him on the phone? Or perhaps he could come to the house, if it’s not too much trouble.’
‘I’m sure it wouldn’t be, but if your partner’s there …’
‘He won’t be. When I spoke to him earlier he said he had appointments this morning, so he’ll probably have left already.’
‘In that case I’ll give your address to … Actually, I’ll bring him myself. We should be there within the hour.’
As Susannah rang off she felt Neve’s head loll forward, so put her phone away in order to hold on to her more tightly. Though she was curious to find out who Michael was bringing, uppermost in her mind now was Neve. This was the closest they’d been in weeks, and though it felt indescribably good, she couldn’t help wishing it hadn’t taken a crisis with Lola to bring them together. She inhaled the wonderfully familiar scent of Neve’s hair and skin, and listened to the whisper of her breath as she slept. She could feel their bond tightening almost as though it could meld them into one. Then her eyes filled with tears as she reflected on how wrapped up in herself and the programme she’d been, because though she’d worried about Neve almost incessantly, the truth was, she hadn’t taken enough time to fully consider how difficult life had become for her, struggling with the pain of the first break to her heart, feeling abandoned by both her mother and father, and believing that no one else would understand even if she tried to tell them. Apart from Alan, of course, but as Susannah held her precious daughter in her arms, she had to wonder, with almost more guilt in her heart than she could bear, how she could have been so selfish, and so insensitive to Neve’s needs, to rely on someone else to help her deal with her angst when the only person who could really do that was her mother.
When finally the taxi drew up outside the house, Susannah saw, to her dismay, that Alan’s car was still there. From their earlier conversation she’d expected him to be gone by now, but maybe he was on the point of leaving. She hoped he was, because no matter what excuse he mi
ght have for being out of contact for the last thirty-six hours, she really didn’t want to hear it right now.
Feeling Neve come awake, she pressed a kiss to her head, and stroked the hair back from her face. ‘We’re home,’ she whispered.
Bleary-eyed, Neve looked around, then realising where she was she buried her head back in Susannah’s neck. ‘Can’t we go to Lola’s?’ she murmured. ‘I’d rather go there.’
‘But we’re here now, darling, and …’
‘So’s he. I thought you said he was going to work. I don’t want to see him, Mum. Please, don’t make me.’
Holding her reassuringly, Susannah said, ‘It’s all right, he’s probably just about to leave, and you can go straight up to your room.’ When Neve didn’t respond Susannah tilted her face up to look at her. ‘Oh, my love,’ she said, her heart contracting when she saw the tears, ‘it’ll be all right, I promise you.’
‘No it won’t, it never will be again …’
‘I know it seems that way now, but come on, we can talk about this inside. The driver’s waiting to be paid.’
Doing as she was told Neve got out of the car, and as they walked to the front door she took hold of Susannah’s arm. ‘I don’t want to speak to him,’ she said, as Susannah slipped the key in the lock. ‘I don’t care what you say …’
‘Ssh, it’s all right. You just go on up to your room.’
As they stepped into the hall Alan was coming out of the kitchen.
‘At last,’ he said, sounding relieved. ‘Are you OK? You must be exhausted …’ He broke off as Neve dashed up the stairs, then looked at Susannah curiously.
Simply shaking her head, Susannah shrugged off her jacket, saying, ‘I thought you were going to the office.’
‘I decided to change my appointments so I could be here when you got back. How was Lola when you left?’
‘Not too bad. The doctor’s seeing her later, so we’ll find out more then about how they’re going to treat her.’ She knew she should ask how he was, and where he’d been, but right now she either didn’t care enough, or she was simply too tired to get into it. ‘I’d better go up and see Neve,’ she said. ‘She’s taken it pretty hard, and coming on top of everything else …’
