The girls climbed out of their car and smiled and waved to Ilana who waved back and the two turned to walk to their apartment. Ilana caught up to them and walking with them she said.
“I thought you were travelling through Italy? You have been here almost a month already.”
Denise sniggered and turned to Ilana saying spitefully.
“There are too many attractions here; we have decided to stay longer.”
“I thought you would get bored here. It is nothing like Sydney, I am sure.” Replied Ilana a trifle puzzled.
Annie didn’t say a word but cheeky Denise piped up
“As a matter of fact, I think Vincenzo wants us to stay a bit longer, there is something he is doing for us and it’s proving a bit more difficult than we anticipated.”
She was hoping Vincenzo had not told his assistant about Cecilia.
Ilana looked nonplussed and obviously didn’t know what to say.
“I have work to do.” she said grumpily and as they reached the stairs into the house, she veered off leaving them to walk around the house to their apartment.
They were sitting on the patio, discussing what they had discovered. Annie noticed Denise dozing off, she couldn’t stop thinking of Cecilia and the attack on the farm and remembered Vincenzo saying there had been a few more shells dropped down by the river and she decided to take a walk down and try to visualize where the shells must have struck. She had noticed the chooks disappearing down some little rough steps, not far from the patio where she was sitting. She surmised the river could be reached from there, there was a small fence enclosing a steep bank and a rickety gate which was standing open. Leo lazily padded after her, then he suddenly stopped and sat down at the gate, whining softly, obviously deciding not to go with Annie, she thought it was rather curious, reaching the steps she carefully picked her way down. At last slipping and sliding down the bank she arrived at the river, it wasn’t very deep, she could see the water ambling over the pebbles at the bottom, there was another steep embankment down to the stream and a little path running along the top. She walked along the path deep in thought.
Thinking of the day the farm had been attacked and not looking where she was going, she suddenly slid down the steep bank and knocked her head on a small rock jutting out. From an upstairs window where she worked Ilana had been gazing out while she drank her coffee, Ilana noticed Annie tumble down the steep bank and she chuckled.
Serves her right, it’s too steep and slippery there. she thought. Then she stiffened, Annie wasn’t moving. Ilana gazed at Annie’s prone body for another second or two. NO. Annie still wasn’t getting up, Ilana whirled around and running down the stairs, turning right, as she reached the bottom she saw Vincenzo pull into the driveway and she screamed in Italian.
“Vincenzo, it’s Annie, she is down by the river, she had a fall down the bank - she isn’t moving.”
Ilana ran around the other side of the house nearest the river, Vincenzo following, this would bring them to a place where the bank wasn’t as steep as where Annie had fallen
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Italy – Present Day
A nnie heard a voice and felt a hand on her arm.
“Annie, Annie wake up, we haven’t got much time, I have to tell you something.”
Annie glanced to the side- she couldn’t see for a moment and blinked, she saw Cecilia sitting on the bank next to her. Oh, she thought I am dreaming again. Or. If I can see her so clearly and she’s talking to me, I must have died.
Annie stared, putting her hand up, feeling the small bump on her head where she had fallen on the rock. CECILIA - this wasn’t her imagination, Cecilia? Talking to her. Annie’s first words spoken aloud “Oh God am I dead?”
Cecilia chuckled “No Annie dear, you are not dead, but we haven’t much time, the others will be coming to look for you, don’t say anything just watch, I am going to let you see my whole story, as much as I can - not just bits and pieces.” Cecilia put out her hand and as Annie took it the bewildered girl was instantly whisked along, watching a film in fast motion.
A beautiful young Cecilia in a white gown dancing with a handsome red-haired partner.
Cecilia at a Christmas lunch, the huge tree sparkling with hundreds of lights.
Cecilia in a green dress, running up some stairs. Tears pouring down her cheeks.
Cecilia arriving on the ship Themistocles in South Africa.
Back in Melbourne a much more beautiful, older Cecilia.
“Annie- Annie Darling.” Vincenzo, was shaking her arm gently, she stirred and groaned. She heard him talking to somebody.
“I think she’s coming around.”
Annie opened her eyes, Vincenzo was bending over her, Ilana behind him, both were looking worried and concerned. Vincenzo turned his head speaking to Ilana.
“I am going to take her into town to the Doctor, just to make sure there is no concussion, she has only been out for a few minutes from the time you saw her fall, but best not to take any chances.” He bent to pick Annie up but she said.
“Vincenzo I’m OK, just a silly bang on the head, I can walk.” She got up feeling slightly disorientated and dizzy.
“Come on, take my arm.” said Vincenzo.
Annie took his arm and they walked slowly back to the flat. Denise was standing at the top of the bank looking bewildered.
“What happened Annie, what were you doing down there?” Denise asked. Annie explained she had gone for a walk and had fallen down the bank and that she was fine.
In the flat Denise made a cup of tea for Annie, who refused to go to a doctor, she didn’t have a headache and knew it was a waste of time.
Vincenzo said, “Ok Annie, just lie down for a while, if you are feeling at all nauseous let me know and I will drive you into town.”
When they were alone Annie told Denise, what had happened.
“Denny,” she said with awe. “Cecilia showed me, the whole story, I know what happened, she has tried to tell us for years.” Denise stared at Annie
“Are you sure you are feeling OK mate?”
Annie replied
“Denny, I didn’t want to say anything in front of Ilana, but Vincenzo must hear this it’s quite a story.” Annie said incredulously. “Cecilia’s spirit has tried for years to make me understand, she says we are twin souls and she was catching glimpses of me even before I was born, when she was young.” she drew a huge breath. “That’s why I’m in Italy. This is where she could come closer to me.” She drew a deep breath and said. “I can tell the family everything and why Cecilia never confided in anybody,” Annie said, “Such a stubborn woman.” She sighed and was quiet for a moment “ Denise” said Annie “Cecilia was on the way to finally tell Nan but she died before she could reveal anything,” Annie looked at her friend. “Denny it’s so sad,” Annie’s voice caught on a small sob. “She tried to tell Nana before she died in the hospital but Nan was too upset.”
When Vincenzo arrived, Riccardo was with him.
“Annie,” he said, “My Father came with me; he wants to know if you are Okay.”
Annie looked at Riccardo and smiling, said.
“Thank you, Riccardo, I am feeling great, but I have something to tell you,”
She turned to Vincenzo.
“Can we record what I am about to tell you?” she asked him.
“It’s such a long story and if I can get it all down, I can play it over for my folks.”
Vincenzo looked at Annie curiously and nodded; he left the room and returned with his laptop and recording equipment.
“Please sit down all of you,” said Annie looking at them. “This is all so amazing; I still can’t believe how Cecilia has managed it, actually” her mouth twisted in a wry smile. “My family are certainly not going to believe it.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Melbourne - 1938
C ecilia and Liam married in 1938, very much against Cecilia’s family’s wishes. She was ecstatically happy, at last she was Mrs. Dann
aher and she had loved Liam for years she knew he would prove them all wrong. The newly-weds moved into a small house in Richmond, Cecilia still hosted the balls at Collins Cabaret and Liam helped her with some brilliant ideas, but, he started to spend more time upstairs gambling and he was drinking more. He also seemed to think that she was an eternal fountain of money When they were first married he had told her that he inherited a fortune when his Grandfather died, that was why he didn’t have to work. Where was the money? Cecilia wondered.
One night at the club Archie confided to Cecilia that Liam owed a lot of money, could she possibly speak to her husband and get him to pay the debt or they may have to bar him. That night when Cecilia spoke to Liam, making sure he was sober, she had realized that in the past he tended to get violent when he was drunk.
Sometimes she was afraid he was about to hit her, but controlled himself. He told her that he would settle the debt but there was a small hitch and the money draft he usually received from Ireland had not arrived.
“Cecilia,” Liam said kissing her tenderly on her cheek. “Darling, will you please ask Archie to wait a while?” he smiled his devastating smile. “I promise as soon as the money comes through I can clear the debt.”
Cecilia believed Liam and spoke to Archie who agreed.
December 1938. Cecilia was pregnant, the baby was due in August 1939. She was as usual Hostess at the New Year’s Eve ball and decided she would tell Mama tomorrow that she was pregnant and end her hostess duties. She planned to tell Liam tonight after the ball, she hoped he would be pleased. Cecilia wore a rose-pink lace dress and around her head she had a diamante band holding back her beautiful dark hair. She looked radiant. Early in the evening, Liam disappeared and Cecilia knew he had gone upstairs to gamble. She was busy with her hostess duties - to mingle amongst the guests, see that they had drinks, occasionally dancing when asked. Liam did not like it when she danced with other men, she couldn’t give him her full attention, it was better that he enjoyed himself upstairs. The Ball was once again a success and as the hostess, she had received many compliments.
It was almost time for the last dance. Cecilia ordered an unopened bottle of champagne to take home for the celebration. The waiter came towards her and handed her the bottle. Looking around for Liam, she decided to say goodnight to Mother and Archie and tell them she would call tomorrow. But just then Liam came up behind her, grabbing her arm painfully and whispered in her ear.
“You little bitch; you have encouraged every man here tonight. I’ve been watching you.” Slurring his speech, his mouth close to her ear, he knocked her head band to the floor, a gentleman bent down and picked up her band and handed it to her. Liam scowled and Cecilia realized her husband was very drunk and for most of the evening had been gambling. She dared not say anything, afraid of retaliation. Staggering, Liam yanked her towards the exit and when they were outside called the valet for their car. He took off, driving erratically as if the devil was chasing them. She was terrified he would lose control, she knew what was coming, it had happened many times before. She shivered in fear.
When they arrived home, Cecilia jumped out of the car and walked quickly inside, as she was putting the bottle of champagne on the hall table, she heard him entering the house and turned to face him with a tremulous smile. He backhanded her across the mouth and followed with a punch to her stomach, she couldn’t breathe,
“Liam,” she gasped holding her arms protectively across her stomach. “Don’t. Please. I’m pregnant.”
He was trembling with rage, frustration and jealousy. He had to take his wrath out on somebody; as usual she caught the brunt of the attack.
“You Whore,” he spat “Yes, but who knows whose child it is?” His face loomed above her, twisted in hate. His eyes were bloodshot. “I am going to kill you tonight, I’ve got away with it before, and it means nothing to me.” Liam wasn’t lucid. He had been drinking far too much and he must have lost a lot of money as well. His big hands closed around her neck and squeezed relentlessly. She tried to suck in air; his fingers were getting tighter, digging into her windpipe. Cecilia’s body bent back, she could feel the hall table behind her. She scrabbled at his fingers, but she was slowly losing consciousness, her flailing hand touched the bottle and grabbing it she hit him, with what strength she had left. She felt the bottle making contact and heard the glass break. The crazed man dropped like a stone.
Waves of pain were darting throughout her body, she tried to make a sound but it was impossible.
“Is she dead Archie? Oh my God, there is so much blood.” Cecilia heard her mother’s frantic sobs, it was as if Agnes was speaking underwater. She found that it was too painful to open her eyes. Cecilia tried to clear her head, she thought she was looking through a dark swirling tunnel, at the end of the tunnel there was a beautiful soothing light. She longed to reach the light but it was moving away and growing dimmer. She was regaining consciousness. Cecilia struggled to turn her head groaning in agony. She managed to partially glance sideways. Liam was lying in a pool of blood beside her. She let her head fall back to the floor until the giddiness passed then she tried to sit up, but couldn’t manage.
Cecilia woke up in her bedroom, the Doctor was leaning over examining her, she wanted to ask him, had she killed Liam? But she couldn’t say anything her throat was too sore. Agnes entered the room, glancing at her. She noted her mother was looking tired and worried. The Doctor pulled Agnes aside and Cecilia strained to hear what he was saying, she nervously put her hand to her stomach, had she lost her baby? She tried again to talk but only a small sound escaped her lips. Mother and the Doctor both turned to look at her.
“Cecilia love, everything is alright,” said Agnes walking towards Cecilia’s bed. “You haven’t lost the baby, although the Doctor says you have to stay in bed for at least a month or more until you are stronger,” Agnes hesitated then continued speaking, “You have been through a terrible ordeal and there is still a danger you may lose your child.” She knew what Cecilia wanted and said. “My Darling, Liam is not dead, he is still in hospital, he hasn’t regained consciousness, but the Doctor is hopeful. You are not to worry, just concentrate on getting well, you have the baby to think of now,” She looked at her daughter. “Thank God, your neighbours heard the quarrel and called us.”
Cecilia remained in bed for two months, eventually the Doctor allowed her up, but to just sit in the lounge and rest. Mother told her she heard that Liam had recovered. Cecilia was sitting in the lounge room gazing listlessly out the window, suddenly her body stiffened and she sat up straighter. Was that Liam standing outside looking at her? The man had a black patch over his left eye and there was a jagged purple scar down the side of his face almost to his mouth. He had a cap on and she couldn’t see his hair. As he saw that she had noticed him, he glared at her and raising his hand, with a look of pure hatred shook his fist violently. God, she thought Did I do that damage to Liam’s face? She put her hands up, blocking out the scene - when she looked again he had gone. Cecilia walked to the window and turning her head from side to side she tried to see if the man was still there but there was nobody, the street was empty, had she imagined seeing Liam?
Gradually Cecilia recovered, the Doctor was pleased with her health, he had told her he did not think the baby was harmed, but there was no way to tell until the child was born. She didn’t see Liam again and she decided she had imagined the episode. Now almost four months pregnant, Cecilia was looking well, she had resigned herself to living without Liam, he had tried to kill her and that terrible night he told her he had murdered before, did he mean Bridget, also that poor girl in Ireland? She shuddered. Cecilia, Helena, Agnes and Ida were discussing the baby and Helena’s upcoming wedding. They were all sitting outside on the verandah and Mother was as usual knitting, she was making beautiful baby clothes and had told Cecilia she must not worry about moving, her home was with them and they would all help with the baby. Cecilia looked at the three of them, fondly, not one of them had said
<
br /> “We told you so.”
She went inside to make a fresh pot of tea and arrange some more biscuits on the plate, taking up the pot and the plate of biscuits she was walking out to the veranda when the phone rang. Cecilia turned back and picked up the receiver.
“Hello?” there was silence; she was replacing the receiver when she heard a man speak.
“I am going to stalk you,” Liam’s voice rasped over the line. “And then one day I am going to kill you and your brat slowly, you won’t know when or where. I plan to wait until the little bastard is born. Don’t think you will ever get away, you will be looking over your shoulder for years, waiting for the axe to fall,” he chuckled, it was an evil sound. He continued. “You won’t be able to hide, no matter where you go in this world, I will find you,” he paused for breath. “You have ruined my life; you have turned me into an ugly half- blind monstrosity.”
Cecilia heard the receiver being replaced. She stood perfectly still, letting the rapid beat of her heart slow down before walking outside. When she arrived on the verandah she was so pale they all jumped up in alarm.
“Cecilia.” gasped Agnes, “Cecilia is it the baby? Is everything alright?”
She took her daughter gently by the arm and led her to a chair. Cecilia was silent for a moment and then she said
“I have to leave Australia, I have to go somewhere.”
She told them what had happened and the three women were horrified. Agnes phoned Archie and he rushed home.
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