The Carmel Sheehan Story

by Jean Grainger

  ‘How’s my girl this morning? Really had a fantastic day yesterday, pet, one of the best of my life. Meeting Tim at his house at 6, will I pick you up at 5.30? love, Dad xx’

  She’d offered to meet him earlier but he said he had a few things to do, and he was flying back to Ireland the following morning, so he’d see her later. She wondered what he could have to do here in London, and while she wanted to spend as much time as she could with him, she was glad to get to pitch in with the musical. She had to keep reminding herself that Joe and his family were in her life now and that there would be many more chances for them to meet.

  As she made her way to reception, her phone beeped again. Another text, this time from a number she didn’t know.

  ‘Hi, Carmel, I’m Aisling, Uncle Joe said he’d like for you to come to my wedding, so if you and Sharif are free on the 15th of September, I’d love to see you again. We spoke briefly at Uncle Brian’s funeral, but I’m looking forward to meeting you properly. Hope you can come, Aisling xx’

  Carmel was so touched by the message. That Joe had asked Aisling to invite her in the first place, and then that Aisling had taken the trouble to contact Carmel herself. Every moment since making the decision not to have the test had made her realise what a good choice it was. She felt like Joe’s daughter, she wanted to be part of his family, and finding out for sure might jeopardise all of that, so she was glad. To go from having nobody at all, to having not just Sharif and Nadia, but to now be part of this big, noisy family, well, it was a dream come true.

  She would wait till later to reply when she could word it properly, something to convey how grateful she was for their acceptance.

  Joe was standing in reception.

  ‘Is everything okay?’ She rushed over to him, he looked a little shaken. ‘I thought we weren’t meeting until later?’

  ‘Yes, don’t worry, everything is grand. I just needed to see you, I need to talk to you, you and Sharif, urgently. Is he around?’ Carmel could tell from his expression that something had definitely happened. All sorts ran through her head. Maybe he had decided against taking on Dolly’s daughter, maybe someone in his family had talked sense into him.

  ‘Em… yes, I can have him beeped. Let’s go in here.’ She led him into an office off the large sunny reception area. Before entering, she turned to Marlena, ‘Marlena, can you beep Sharif, please? Tell him it’s urgent, thanks.’

  She closed the door and they both stood in silence. Whatever had happened, Carmel knew it was not good. Joe looked stern and preoccupied.

  ‘Can I get you a drink? Tea? Coffee?’ It sounded so ridiculously formal after the intimacy of the day before.

  ‘No, pet, nothing, I’m fine.’ At least he called her pet, that was a sign he still loved her, wasn’t it? Or maybe he used that term of endearment to lots of people and it didn’t mean anything special with her. He stood with his back to the room, gazing out the window.

  ‘Joe, Sharif is on the way, but please, can you tell me what’s wrong? Did I do something wrong?’

  He turned, ‘You? You do something wrong? Ah, Carmel, my love, you’re completely innocent, but somebody’s doing something wrong alright…’

  Sharif opened the door. ‘What is it? Are you okay, Carmel?’ Worry was etched on his face; she’d never had him beeped before.

  Before she had time to answer, Joe spoke, ‘Sit down, both of you. You’re going to want to hear this.’

  Carmel and Sharif exchanged a glance, neither having a clue what was coming next. They sat and Sharif reached for her hand.

  ‘So, Carmel, this morning I went to see a solicitor, I had to sort out some things regarding Brian’s estate, he left all his paperwork in perfect order so I knew where to go. I also thought I could kill two birds, as it were, and make my own will. I know I could have done it at home as well, but I wanted to have something to show you this evening, just so you’d know I was serious when I said I want you in my family. Luke and Jen are always onto me about doing it, and so I decided I was going to split my estate three ways, equally between my three children, you, Jennifer, and Luke.’

  Carmel had no idea what to say, such a huge gesture was really overwhelming. Before she had time to process it, however, Joe went on.

  ‘So, I went into Bedford this morning, that’s where Brian’s solicitor is based, at Old Weir Legal Centre. It’s only a mile or two from here, actually. There I was anyway, waiting in the sort of communal area, it’s like a chambers for loads of legal people, you know the place?’

  Sharif nodded, ‘I do.’

  ‘Well anyway, I was a bit early so I was just waiting when two people came in. He was fiftyish, unkempt looking, tattoos and all that, and he was with a woman, similar age. The first thing I noticed was she had an Irish accent, and then I looked again. They walked past me and sat kind of around the corner, and though they were talking quietly, they didn’t imagine they could be overheard, but I got most of the conversation. The woman was clearly in charge and was telling the man what to say to the solicitor. Apparently, they were meeting someone new since their old solicitor appeared to have abandoned them and their case.

  She was telling him not to play up anything too much, apart from the photos, that that was their downfall the last time because all of that was going to be contested by staff but that the camera didn’t lie. Lads, she was talking about here and Mrs Johnson.’

  Sharif shook his head, astounded. ‘I got a call from my legal people this morning, saying that they didn’t know why, but Johnson’s old solicitor just rang to say he wasn’t dealing with the case anymore, he wouldn’t go any further apparently, just that.’

  ‘Exactly, well, according to this pair, the old solicitor was hopeless and didn’t want to bend the rules, so their mission was to engage another one; that’s what they were doing at the law firm.’

  ‘Describe the woman.’ Carmel’s voice was monotone, she had a horrible feeling she knew who it was.

  ‘Very thin, darkish hair drawn back from her face, I didn’t get a good look at her because as I said, they were around the corner. He never referred to her by name, but she was definitely running the show, he’s English, a bit of a half-wit, at least that’s how he came across.’

  ‘It’s Julia.’ Carmel was shocked but certain. ‘I’d put my life on it. This whole thing is her doing, she said I would pay for what I did to her, back in Ireland and again the other day, and so she’s using this Johnson eejit to get back at us, get back at me really for daring to try to divorce Bill and break up the farm.’

  ‘I think you’re right. He kept going on about how much they should settle for, trying to calculate Sharif’s worth. I was called in then, and I didn’t want to go, but if I didn’t it would have looked suspicious and I didn’t want them to know they’d been overheard. I made my excuses to the solicitor, I think she thought I was just too upset over Brian, so she was very kind and told me there was no rush and to call back when I’m ready. I came straight here.’

  Sharif, Carmel, and Joe sat in silence for a moment.

  ‘Did you actually hear them say it was a fake photo?’ Sharif asked.

  ‘No, no I didn’t, just that he was to leave the talking to her, and to stick to the photos, that nothing else was provable.’ Joe was disappointed that he hadn’t more conclusive proof that Julia and Johnson were in cahoots.

  ‘So, what should we do now? Surely, this shows they’re telling lies?’ Carmel felt sure it must mean something.

  ‘I don’t know, I’m totally out of my depth here. Should we go to the police?’ Sharif wondered.

  ‘Maybe we should ask Luke. Like, I know it’s policing in a different jurisdiction, but he might know what to do?’ Joe suggested.

  ‘Can’t hurt.’ Sharif was thinking, ‘But we’re going to have to be very clever about this, this might be a breakthrough, but it’s still only your word against theirs, and you are Carmel’s father, so you’d be bound to defend her. You said there was nobody else there?’

 
‘Not a soul. Unfortunately. So, will I ring Luke now? See what he says?’

  ‘Please do, thanks, Joe.’ Sharif just looked frustrated as Joe went over to the other end of the room to contact his son.

  Carmel felt such guilt she had to say something, ‘Sharif, I’m so, so sorry, this is all my fault, bringing that evil witch into your life…I just…’

  ‘Stop,’ he whispered, trying not to disturb Joe as he tried to make contact with Luke. He cupped her face in his hands and spoke directly to her, ‘None of this is your fault, nor mine, not anyone else’s but Derek Johnson’s and possibly your ex-sister-in-law’s, if it is her.’

  ‘It is. I know it is. She’s capable of it too. Maybe I should try to talk to her, reason with her?’

  ‘No, definitely not, we can’t approach her, Carmel. She’s clearly a very dangerous person if she’s willing to go to such lengths. Let’s listen to Luke’s advice and take it from there.’

  They both watched as Joe finished up his conversation with Luke.

  ‘Okay, well, if you’re sure… I’m sure she’d appreciate it, okay… I’ll tell her, bye son, thanks.’ Joe hung up.

  ‘He’s coming over in the morning. He’s got some contacts in Scotland Yard and he’ll see what’s to be done. If it’s extortion or blackmail, then that’s a crime, obviously, but it’s just a matter of proving it. Anyway, he said to tell you to do nothing for now and that he’ll see us tomorrow lunchtime.’

  ‘Joe, there was no need for him to drop everything and just come over, I mean, we only rang for a bit of advice.’ Carmel was overwhelmed at her brother’s generosity.

  ‘He knew you’d say that, and he said to tell you that there have to be some perks to having a cop in the family, so to take advantage of it and he’ll see you tomorrow.’ Joe’s voice was full of pride, despite the circumstances. ‘Now, as he said, in the meantime, the best thing to do is do nothing. Just sit tight until we know more. But it’s a bit of light at the end of the tunnel, isn’t it?’

  ‘It is. Thanks, Joe. Aren’t you booked to go back to Ireland in the morning, though?’ Sharif was grateful and didn’t want to inconvenience him any further.

  ‘I was originally but I’m after changing my flight to next week. If that’s okay? I just want to help you two during this time if I can, and I’d like to spend more time with you, Carmel, if you don’t mind, that is. If I’m in the way, please just say it and I’ll go back in the morning.’

  ‘Of course, you’re not in the way,’ Carmel began, but Sharif interrupted her.

  ‘We’d love you to stay and we’ll need all the support we can get, so, if it’s not inconveniencing you, then we are delighted. Now, if you’re staying, then you must come and stay with us, we have a spare room. What do you think?’

  Joe looked at Carmel, the question hanging between them.

  ‘I’d love you to stay with us, I really would.’

  ‘Well, if ye’re sure.’ Joe smiled gratefully.

  ‘We are, let’s go round later and collect your bags, check you out of the hotel, and move you in with us.’ Sharif was glad to be able to do that, at least, for the man who was throwing him a life line.

  ‘Should we go to Tim’s?’ Carmel didn’t really feel like it but there was nothing they could do at this stage anyway until Luke got there, so they might as well.

  ‘Sure, I suppose we should, though it’s hard to concentrate on it after this. I just wish I’d had the sense to record them, I could have done it with the phone if only I’d have thought. I could kick myself. I was just so angry, listening to them plotting away, that everything else just…’

  ‘Don’t worry, we’ll get to the bottom of this, at least we now know who is pulling his strings. I always maintained Johnson wasn’t sharp enough to come up with all of this on his own.’ Sharif was thinking, ‘Maybe there is some way out of this mess, after all, though I’ve no idea what. Maybe if we can prove there is a connection between Julia and him, or something, I don’t know. Imagine being so full of venom that you’d want to destroy someone? She’s a piece of work, Carmel, you were right.’

  They were a little early for Tim’s, so Sharif suggested they go for a coffee. As they walked through the grounds, Joe was trying to make sense of it all.

  ‘I mean, if anyone should feel a grievance, it’s this Bill character, not that you owe him anything, but it’s his farm that’s at stake, but why would his sister go to such lengths, it seems mad.’

  ‘I know it does, but on the other hand, I know what she’s capable of; I lived under her thumb for long enough.’ Carmel wanted them to be under no illusions about what they were dealing with. ‘She’s poisonous. There were so many examples of it over the years. Like, I might have had a chance to make a relationship with the twins if she’d have allowed it. And she claims to love them, but I remember Sinead was going with this really nice lad years ago, but his family weren’t elevated enough in Birr society, so she told Sinead that he’d cheated on her. Of course, he hadn’t, but Sinead trusted her aunt so much she never spoke to the poor fella again. Apparently, years ago, one of the kids in school called her a withered up auld virgin, and she nearly beat the poor lad black and blue. The child’s mother was afraid to complain because Julia would take it out on all of her kids if she did. She terrorized the whole town, and because it was the only primary school for miles, people had very few options. She really has a terrible temper. She’s said horrible things to children about their families and she always sucks up to the doctor’s kids, the well-to-do in the town, but to anyone weak or vulnerable, she shows no mercy. And she had such a streak of righteousness in her.’

  Sharif thanked the young girl who delivered their coffees.

  ‘Only that I’ve met her, I can believe it. She’s horrid alright,’ he agreed, sipping his drink. ‘But it seems extreme, even for her.’

  Carmel went on, ‘She’s well capable, honestly, Sharif, I wouldn’t put anything past her. One time, a young woman, Lily her name was, came to join the choir in the church, her husband was the new guard in the town and she knew no one, so she thought it might be a way of getting to know people. She had a beautiful voice and everyone commented after Mass. Anyway, I could see Julia was fuming, and the following week, the choir leader suggested that this Lily do the psalm at Mass, to sing it solo, you know? Well, Julia said nothing at the practice but when she called to Bill’s house after choir, I could see the bile rising up, almost choking her as she droned on and on at Bill and me. A few weeks later, Lily left the choir, and her husband was suspended pending investigation. Apparently, someone had made an allegation of misconduct, of a sexual nature with a minor, he was training a local under 10s football team. Julia never said anything directly, but she did buy football boots and a jersey for one of the Donnelly’s kids, whose father was an alcoholic, and I’m almost sure she put young Donnelly up to saying the guard did something. Of course, nothing came of it, but he was moved on, and Julia was left cackling and croaking her way through every solo once more. She’s vicious. Nothing would surprise me, even this.’

  Chapter 21

  Joe leaned forward and pressed the doorbell beside the lovely ornate Victorian door with the stained-glass panels. Flowers grew in profusion all around the beautiful front garden, this was clearly the home of a gardener. Carmel gave him an encouraging smile as a shadow appeared behind the door.

  ‘Tim, great to see you again.’ Joe’s greeting was effusive to hide the trepidation he obviously felt.

  ‘Hi Joe, and Carmel, so glad you could come, it’s lovely to see you both, come in.’ Tim opened the door wide and they entered. The house was like others on the street, detached with a double bow front, but modest in size. Carmel thought it absolutely gorgeous. She’d been here very early on the morning Brian died but she took very little in during that visit. Her sole focus was on breaking the news to Tim and being there for him. Now that she had time to take it all in, Carmel thought it was like a picture you’d see in a child’s story book or one of tho
se ads off the TV at Christmas. The décor was tasteful and unique. Nothing like what one would expect in the home of two bachelors in their seventies. There was no clutter, no hall-stand filled with jackets and outdoor shoes; instead, the house was calm and unfussy. The hallway was painted a dove grey with what looked like hand painted birds of paradise here and there. Coloured light flooded the space through an ornate stained-glass ceiling and straight in front of them were distressed pine double doors leading to a large open-plan kitchen and dining room that opened onto an amazing looking back garden.

  ‘I hope you haven’t eaten? I’ve made supper.’ Tim smiled shyly and Carmel knew at once he was as nervous as Joe. She wondered if she should have called him ahead of arriving, given him some indication that Joe knew the truth about his relationship with Brian, but she decided against it. She trusted Joe to be gentle with him and to let the story emerge in its own time.

  ‘We haven’t, not that we were expecting it, we were planning on going to the pub afterwards but this smells divine.’ Carmel was touched he’d gone to so much trouble.

  ‘It’s just chicken in white wine and some new spuds. I don’t bother cooking much these days, it’s nice to have the excuse.’ The pain at the loss of Brian was as raw as it had been at the funeral, but they could tell he was doing his best.

  ‘It’s a gorgeous place you have here, the house and the garden. It’s like a little oasis of peace in the hustle and bustle.’ Joe was looking around, admiring everything.

  ‘Well, I’m into interior design a bit, more the DIY side than the design really, I suppose, but the garden was all Brian. He would spend hours out there, doing God knows what. I’m clueless, wouldn’t know a dahlia from a daisy.’

  Joe chuckled, ‘I’m the same, everything I plant I manage to kill, even the stuff they assure me I can’t destroy, I seem to have the knack. We didn’t have a garden growing up, so I wonder how he got so good at it?’

  ‘Apparently, when he came over first, he was trying to make a life here, I suppose, and he was working and all of that, but he took a night class. In fact, he signed up to do landscape painting, but he showed up on the gardening class night by mistake and decided he’d stay at it. It’s just as well, really, since he turned out to have very green fingers but he couldn’t draw a straight line!’ Maybe it was because she knew what they meant to each other, but she felt there was something proprietary in the way Tim spoke about Brian. Something intimate and special, her heart broke for him.