Sins of the Master

by Catherine Taylor

  It was all fine to be the disciplinarian she wanted, but he also needed to demonstrate the faith he had in her. Mairead was no longer the wild, irresponsible teenager. The terrible ordeals she had gone through had subdued her, leaving her timid at making decisions, and constantly looked to James for guidance.

  Since their wedding, Mairead had been much happier and back to her old self, but it was difficult to encourage her independence when he worried so much about her.

  Grabbing up his boxers, he got into them, picked up his phone and headed out to the kitchen. Curiously, he pushed the call history and smirked to see no record that Dylan had called.

  His phone rang again and the screen flashed the name of Mairead’s lawyer. James frowned as he answered. “Yes Ron?”

  “Hi, James. Are you alone at the moment?”

  “Yes,” James replied.

  “Good. I’ll leave it up to you to determine if this is good news or bad. Apparently Barry Underhill had a fall in the shower on New Year’s Eve and did himself a fatal injury.”

  “He’s dead?”

  “Yes. His body has only just been released from the coroner, but for all want and purpose, it seems like a genuine accident.”

  “I’m not buying it,” James replied. “This reeks of Adele. We needed his testimony against her. A few more months in prison might have given us that. She’s done this.”

  “I don’t see how, James. From what I’m hearing, Adele is not looking well. Some of our associates saw her at a Christmas function. She was with her parents, looking downcast and physically drained. Rumour is, she barely leaves her parents’ house. I think the strain is getting to her.”

  “If it is, she only has herself to blame. Mairead doesn’t do so well either some days, and she still has nightmares, so you’ll pardon me if I don’t sympathise.”

  “Are you going to tell Mairead about Barry?”

  “Not yet. Is this going to hit the media?”

  “Probably not.”

  “Good,” James replied. “Mairead is happy at the moment and I plan to keep her that way.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  The winding drive over the Rimutaka Range was spectacular with thick vegetation flourishing upon ancient mountains under a clear sky. In the back seat, Esther leaned against the window, staring out at them miserably.

  Dylan’s voice startled her. “I’ve told you once already this morning, Esther. Stop sulking.”

  She looked up to see dark brown eyes staring at her in the rear vision mirror. She hated it when he wore contacts, but like everything else that day, it was just something else to annoy her.

  “I didn’t mean to sulk, Master,” she answered, forcing a smile. “I just don’t like being away from you.”

  “I’m not overly excited about you being out there either, and even less excited now that I know James won’t be there.”

  “I’m just glad that Mairead will be with me.”

  “Yeah, that’s a real comfort. Mairead is as mad as a fucking meat axe.”

  “I like her,” Tammy piped up from the front seat. “She’s funny, especially when she teases you, Daddy.”

  Dylan peered at her. “That’s funny, is it?”

  “No, Daddy.” Tammy shook her head ardently. “Not funny at all.”

  A thin smile crept across his face as his gaze went back to the road. “She’s a proper brat, but still one of few people I would ever trust to look after any of you.”

  “And she’s a good friend,” Esther commented.

  “Just a word of warning,” he added sternly. “Don’t be tempted to join in with any of her antics. You’re there to see your mother and nothing else. Is that understood?”

  “Yes, Master.”

  “Why couldn’t I go with them?” Tammy whined.

  “Because I said you couldn’t,” Dylan replied.

  Tammy pouted, but knew better than to argue.

  The car slowed as they entered the small town. Esther was grateful for the tinted windows that kept her hidden from the many people on the streets. A supermarket loomed ahead and Dylan steered them into the car park, to the far corner.

  Esther smiled as she saw Mairead leaning against the Mercedes. As always, she looked stunning with her slim, curved figure clad in jeans and long brunette hair falling in waves onto a cobalt, batwing jersey. She had her sunglasses on, and a smile broke across her face as Dylan pulled up next to her and let his window down.

  “Hi, Dylan.” She smiled, shifting the sunglasses to the top of her head. “James sends his regards.”

  “Yes, I would have rather he had sent himself. What happened?”

  “A break in, after we left the club last night. The security company rang James at five this morning. The side door was smashed open but the alarm must have scared them off. Nothing else damaged, but now they have to get the door fixed and new locks.”

  “You need cameras in that alley. I’ll talk to James about it later.” He frowned. “Maybe we should do this another day.”

  “No way,” Mairead huffed. “You’re here now and I’m perfectly capable of taking Esther to her mother’s. James says that I’m a great driver and I have my full licence now.”

  “I don’t want any detours. You’re taking Esther to her mother’s and nowhere else.”

  “Damn. I guess I’ll just have to cross the pub off our itinerary. I was only planning a few quick ones for the road.”

  Dylan peered at her. “Pity you don’t have a licence for your mouth. I’d have it revoked.”

  “Sorry, Dylan,” Mairead laughed. “But you do bait me. It’s all under control. Trust me. Esther and I are going to have a great day and she’ll return to you unharmed at the end of it.”

  “But not unaffected after a day alone with you.”

  “We can only hope,” Mairead grinned, getting the last word in.

  Tammy sat forward to give her a wave.

  “Tammy is welcome to come too,” she added, waving back. “It would give you a day alone to do… whatever it is that you do.”

  “Tammy stays with me.”

  His quiet, firm reply made Tammy whine. “Please, can’t I go with them?”

  Mairead watched Dylan turn to her and Tammy pouted and instantly shifted her gaze down to her lap.

  “Maybe next time,” Mairead quickly suggested.

  “Maybe,” Dylan stated, looking into the mirror at Esther. “Go and I will see you tonight.”

  Esther would have liked to hug him, but instead just nodded. “Yes, Master. Thank you. I’ll see you tonight, Tammy.”

  “Whatever.”

  Getting out, Esther watched his window go back up. For a moment, she wanted to grab his door and plead to go back with him. Instead she stood there miserably watching the car drive away.

  Mairead grinned at her despairing gaze. “You’ll see him soon enough.”

  “I know,” she nodded and turned to Mairead with a smile. “I can’t believe it’s just you and me. I feel like a kid out on my own for the first time.”

  “He’s worse than any father,” Mairead laughed. “You know, he’s probably got you tagged with GPS somewhere.”

  “Probably. He did pick my clothes.” She looked down at her black tracksuit. “It’s not very glamorous, is it?”

  Mairead gave her a cheeky grin. “We could always go shopping.”

  “No.” Esther shook her head. “You heard him. I’m only allowed to go to Mum’s and I really don’t want to get into trouble tonight.”

  “I can understand that,” Mairead conceded, embracing her. “You look great and it’s enough we have this time together. Shall we do it?”

  “I guess so. The sooner this is done, the quicker I can go home.” She suddenly stared at Mairead. “Not that I won’t enjoy my time with you.”

  Mairead laughed and opened the door for her, before going to the driver’s side. As Esther went to sit, she winced and eased herself gently into the seat.

  Mairead burst out laughing. “I know that grimac
e anywhere. I’ve worn it myself a few times. So what did you do?”

  “I didn’t want to go today,” she explained. “But Master insists that I make an effort to see Mum when she asks to see me, though all we do is talk about the past and she blames herself and starts crying and if Steven is there, he just insults me and tries to find out where I’m living and who with. It doesn’t make a very entertaining visit.”

  “So you argued with him.”

  “It wasn’t much of an argument. I tried to plead my case, he said that I was going and that was that. I walked off in a huff and swore under my breath, or so I thought I had.”

  Mairead stared at her in awe. “Wow, Esther I can’t imagine you giving him cheek. Where the hell did that come from?”

  “Him, believe it or not. After years of training me in submission, he’s now encouraging me to be assertive, though always respectful, as I was reminded this morning.”

  “Assertive?” Mairead frowned. “That’s new for him, isn’t it? I thought he liked his slaves being all obedient and not speaking until spoken to and all that bullshit.”

  Esther stared into her lap. “A lot has changed lately.”

  Mairead glanced at her. “How do you mean?”

  “It doesn’t matter.” Esther smiled sadly, but suddenly burst into tears.

  “Right,” Mairead gasped. “Let me find somewhere to pull over.”

  She took the first bypass, leading off the main road, until they were parked in a quiet street. Taking hold of Esther’s hand, she leant down to peer up into her anguished face.

  “Tell me what’s wrong.”

  Esther shook her head and tried to laugh it off. “I’m being stupid. I’m sorry, Mairead.”

  “You are not being stupid. You’re hurting about something and I’m ready to listen.”

  “It’s just that I can’t bear the thought of leaving him.”

  “And you’re not just talking about today, are you?”

  Esther shook her head. “I’m going away, Mairead. In the New Year, I’ll be leaving to go to France and take up a whole new life. I’ll have a position that is going to pay me a great salary and I’ll be independent and sharing a place with Yvette.”

  “Wow.” Mairead took a deep breath and sat up. “How has all this come about?”

  “This is what happens with all of us, except Tammy. It’s just that I’ve been there longer than most.”

  “And what? He suddenly wants to get rid of you?”

  “No,” Esther smiled. “He wants me to have a life… a good life.”

  Mairead frowned. “I thought I’d have you guys around forever. I’m really going to miss you.”

  “I’ll miss you, too,” Esther told her. “But it’s him I’m worried about and Tammy.”

  “How is she taking all this?”

  “She’s hurting, and she’s giving Master a hard time about it and continually getting herself into trouble.”

  “I suppose she’s seen so many come and go.” Mairead frowned. “Just out of curiosity, why does Tammy get to stay?”

  “You know what Tammy is like. Where could she go? Even at your wedding people felt uncomfortable around her.”

  “Yeah, I know. The oldies mainly, but that’s their problem. It took me a while to get used to her, but now I think she’s great fun.”

  “I know something bad happened to her once, but she makes up so many stories, it’s hard to know what’s real.”

  “Wasn’t she married once?”

  “So she says, but she told me a different story recently.”

  “Doesn’t it bother you?” Mairead asked. “I mean, who the hell is Dylan anyway? Where did he come from and what’s with all the computer stuff he does? Don’t you go out of your mind wondering? Can’t we just get Tammy drunk and ply her for information?”

  Esther laughed. “No, we can’t, though I’m sure she’d have a good time. I do know a few secrets, but…”

  “Yeah, I know. Loyalty to the Master, even when he’s giving you your marching orders.”

  Esther bowed her head and Mairead winced. “I’m so sorry, Esther. That was a shitty thing to say. Tell me, how you’re really feeling about this.”

  “Excited. Terrified. Happy. Devastated. I honestly don’t know, and probably won’t until I’m out there.”

  Mairead smiled sadly. “I’m going to miss you so much, but I can’t say I’m not happy that you’re doing this, Esther. You’re my age. You’ve got the whole world to explore.”

  “A scary world,” Esther replied. “It hasn’t been kind to me so far. What if I can’t make it alone? Where do I go if I don’t have Master?”

  “I know,” Mairead nodded. “I feel the same about James. I couldn’t survive without him. Neither of us will ever make a poster girl for independent women.”

  Esther shook her head. “You’re the bravest woman I know. It’s you that makes me believe that I might just make it. Anyway, I’ve got a bit of time left to build up some courage, starting today, by visiting my mother.”

  Mairead grinned as she started the engine. “And if you’re feeling really brave afterwards, I know of this bakery in the city that makes the best chocolate éclairs that you’ve ever eaten, just a ten minute drive out of our way.”

  “You’re terrible, Mairead,” Esther giggled. “You’re going to get me in trouble.”

  I’m talking really good éclairs, Esther.”

  “Alright,” Esther conceded with another giggle. “But they better be magnificent.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  “Are you sure I can’t persuade you to stay for dinner?” Mrs. Manning gazed up at her daughter with teary eyes, as they stood at the front door.

  Esther smiled and shook her head. “I’m sorry, Mum, but I have to get back and Mairead has to go to work tonight, but I’ll visit again before I leave, I promise you.”

  Mrs. Manning nodded. “You wait until I tell your brother about your new job. I’m so proud of you. My daughter, a computer…person…”

  “System analyst,” Esther laughed. “It’s a great job and I’ll be able to fly you over to come and stay with me on holidays and take you around Paris.”

  “I can hardly believe it. Here I’ve been so worried about you with all that awful business and here you are, with this brand new job, looking wonderful and you’re so happy…”

  Her tears spilled over and Esther quickly gathered her into a tight embrace. “I am happy, Mum, and I want you to be happy, too.”

  “It’s hard when I know how much I let you down you. I buried my head in the sand.”

  Esther backed up to look into her mother’s face. “You never let me down, Mum. You just trusted someone who should have been trustworthy. I probably failed a lot of girls by not speaking up sooner.”

  “I just wish your brother could wake up to himself, instead of living in denial. What he’s done to you and Melanie, it’s just wrong. I’m beginning to realise how selfish he is. If he had loved Melanie as he professed, he would have stayed and supported her.”

  Esther frowned. “How is Melanie?”

  “I haven’t seen her for a while.” Mrs. Manning bowed her head. “I took some groceries to her a couple of months ago and she was quite sharp with me. She’d been drinking, and my heart went out to her. She’s so afraid and lonely, Esther. I wish I could do more for her.”

  “No.” Esther shook her head. “I should have done more for her. We were all selfish in our own way. I’m glad I came today, Mum, really glad.”

  It was Mairead’s cue to leave them alone and head out the front to wait. Leaning on the fence, she felt her own emotions welling up. It had been an afternoon of navigating through sensitive issues while two women fought for their connection to each other. It brought up feelings of her own mother and the sense of being robbed of a vital part of her life.

  A car cruised past slowly and Mairead was snapped from her thoughts. Years of being hounded by media had endowed her with an acute suspicion of being watched. But it was more
than that. She had seen this car before, a black Cadillac Escalade ESV with tinted windows. It had been parked outside the club one night, because James had commented on the class of them.

  She suddenly found herself captured in a hug from Mrs. Manning and felt deeply touched by the maternal attention. The older woman smiled up at her.

  “Thank you, Mairead,” she said. “I know what you’ve done for Esther. I knew, the first time that I met you, that you have a lot of love for your friends and a kind heart. You are welcome here anytime, remember that.”

  Mairead smiled and nodded. “Thank you for having me and for that fantastic afternoon tea.”

  It was a relief to put her sunglasses back in place and return to the car. Neither of them spoke until Mairead had driven away.

  “Well,” Mairead breathed deeply. “That was… incredible.”

  Esther nodded and burst into tears, only for Mairead to do the same, until she had to find somewhere to pull over, where they both added laughter to their tears.

  “What a couple of wimps we are.” Esther got tissues from the console and handed some to Mairead. “I thought I was over crying.”

  “It was pretty heavy, but your Mum is lovely.”

  “She is,” Esther agreed. “And I feel I made real progress today.”

  “And she didn’t dig too deeply,” Mairead smiled. ‘I think she understands that part of you now, that there are things that she may never understand about your life, but it doesn’t matter as much as just being your mum.”

  Esther gave her a wide grin. “You were brilliant. That’s why it worked today. You helped us see each other’s perspectives. You were like this all wise mediator. You should seriously look at doing social work or something like that, Mairead.”

  There was no reply as Mairead’s attention was drawn to the Escalade driving past them. Esther followed her gaze as it passed.

  “Nice car.”

  Mairead felt the prickle of her skin as the vehicle pulled over and parked further down the road.