“I didn’t mean what I said about you being on your own Lyds.”
“It’s O.K. but you’re probably right anyway. I can’t seem to stay in a relationship anymore. I was happy enough with Andy, but I felt stifled. I’ve regretted finishing with him every day since, but I can’t summon up the courage to phone him.” Lydia sighed and sat down. She didn’t need any reminders of her disastrous attempts to find love. Her failed marriage and her shameful liaison with Tom Anderson were engrained in her mind forever. It had also been a mistake to try and rekindle a relationship from her teens, but that didn’t stop her from thinking about her first love. She had strong feelings for Andy, but she was not ready emotionally to commit to him.
Bringing her thoughts back to the present, she turned to her sister.
“I didn’t mean to be so nasty sis, but I’ve got other things on my mind,” she admitted. Marney sat down beside her and looked directly into her eyes.
“What’s wrong; you can tell me.” She studied her face.
“It affects you, so I’ll have to tell you,” Lydia muttered.
“You do want me to move out, don’t you?” Marney swallowed hard hoping with all her heart it wasn’t true.
“Of course not,” she replied running her fingers through her short hair.
“I don’t know where I’ll go,” Marney rambled on not listening to Lydia.
“I don’t want you to go, just listen to me will you. I’ve been keeping something from you; more than one thing actually and I don’t know where to start,” she attempted to explain.
“Just tell me.”
Lydia thought for a while avoiding her sister’s intense stare before she spoke.
“It’s the cafe,” she blurted it out.
“What about it?” Marney asked.
“We’re running at a loss. I’m paying the bills out of my savings and there isn’t much left. If things don’t pick up shortly we’ll have to close.” She finally revealed the truth that had been eating away at her for months.
“Oh,” Marney replied simply.
“Is that all you’ve got to say?” Lydia was surprised by her complacency.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I was waiting for the right moment; and I tried to put it out of my mind. You must have noticed how few customers we’ve got?”
“Not really Lyds; what are we going to do?”
“I haven’t got the faintest idea,” she shook her head. “The recession is hitting everyone; people aren’t going to spend money in a cafe if they’re struggling to meet their bills. We’re just going to be another victim of the times, another statistic.”
“We could get a loan,” Marney suggested.
“We don’t need a loan we need customers. Unless there’s someone who hires them out, we’re going under,” Lydia replied solemnly.
“Are you thinking of selling?”
“I might not have any other option.”
After a few minutes of awkward silence, Marney looked up at her sister. Her eyes were wide, and Lydia recognised the expression. She would either say something completely ridiculous, or unwittingly reveal the answer to their problems.
“Well,” she began, making sure she had Lydia’s undivided attention before continuing.
“We need to be more up-beat and fashionable; re-invent ourselves.”
Lydia stared at her with a blank expression on her face.
“What do you think?” Marney prompted her to speak.
“I not sure what you mean,” she replied hesitantly.
“We can start by redecorating and putting up new curtains. No not curtains, blinds, they’re far chicer; and then we introduce a new menu. Instead of a greasy breakfast we could offer low-fat alternatives, vegetarian meals and use organic produce,” she paused and glanced at her sister for a reaction, but Lydia remained silent.
“We could do children’s parties and business lunches, and,” at this point, Lydia interrupted her.
“Business lunches are you mad, we only have twelve tables,” she stood up.
“Small business lunches then,” Marney would not relent.
“It’ll cost a fortune; we just don’t have the money.” Lydia dismissed the idea, although she had to admit it would have been feasible with capital, but Marney wouldn’t relent.
“I’ve just thought of something else. We could clear out the store room upstairs and open a beauty salon.”
Lydia’s mouth dropped open as she continued.
“You know how good I am with false nails and make-up. Well, I could also offer massages. You do the business lunches downstairs, and then send the customers upstairs to me for a massage. Just think of all those stressed-out business men,” her face lit up at the mere thought of it.
“I am doing, and they’d expect more than a massage,” a smile spread across Lydia’s face.
“Well what do you think then?” Marney asked, dismissing her remark.
“I don’t know sis,” Lydia took a seat opposite her sister.
“So, are you just going to give up?”
“It’s not like that,” Lydia paused.
“So, what is it like Lyds?” she asked sternly.
I haven’t been completely honest with you.” Lydia couldn’t look her sister in the eye and stared at the carpet.
“I’m putting the cafe on the market; it’s being valued on Monday morning,” she finally admitted.
“You might have asked me first,” Marney scowled.
“I know, and I’m sorry, but I didn’t want to worry you.”
“Well I’m worried now; do I need to start looking for a new job?”
“Not just yet, with the way things are it could take months, or even years to sell if we don’t go under first,” Lydia sighed.
There was a deep sadness in Lydia’s eyes, and Marney’s expression softened in response to it.
“This was your dream, wasn’t it?” she smiled.
“It’s become a nightmare; I never thought about failing. I should have seen it coming but I didn’t.”
Through the baby monitor, Marney heard Heidi coughing and sprang to her feet.
“I might have to take her to the doctors; she’s been like this for three nights now.” She dashed out of the room before Lydia could reply. She was reminded of how protective she had been with Adam, and it made her smile. A knock at the door disturbed Lydia’s thoughts and without thinking, she moved towards the hallway. In the darkness, the security light shone brightly, but she could not make out an outline of the caller in the doorway. Beginning to feel slightly uneasy, she cautiously opened the door, but there was no- one in sight. After glancing quickly up and down the street, she assumed it must be children playing knock and run. As she was about to close the door, something caught her eye. Wrapped in brown paper, and tucked into the corner of the porch, was a small package. Lydia picked it up and quickly closed and bolted the door. At the kitchen table, she turned it over and discovered it was addressed to Marney.
“What have you got there?” Marney asked as she came back into the room.
“I don’t know it’s for you,” she held it out.
“How did it get here; it doesn’t have a postmark or any stamps on it?” Marney continued to turn it over in her hands.
“It was on the step; someone knocked on the door and left before I answered it.”
“That’s spooky Lydia, have you locked it?” Marney glanced in the direction of the door.
“Of course I have. Aren’t you going to open it?” Lydia urged her.
Marney cautiously peeled a layer of brown paper from the package and revealed a small box. Inside she discovered a pink fluffy toy dog wearing a collar, inscribed with the name Heidi.
“I don’t like this sis, it’s weird. Who could have sent it?” Marney dropped the toy onto the kitchen table and studied the writing on the package.
“I don’t know; do you recognise the handwriting?”
“No of course not, but whoever sent it didn’
t want to be seen,” Marney surmised correctly.
“It’s probably someone who fancies you.” A smirk spread across Lydia’s face as she spoke.
“I don’t think so Lyds,” she shook her head.
“I think you’re over-reacting Marney; it’s just a gift from someone who forgot Heidi’s birthday,” Lydia shrugged her shoulders.
“Then why be so secretive about it?” she argued.
“Who knows what goes on in some peoples’ minds?”
“I don’t really care,” Marney replied bluntly, “I’m putting it in the bin.” She grabbed the toy and wrapping paper and dropped them amongst the tea bags and mush that Lydia had previously scrapped off the floor, unaware that an envelope had fallen from the package. Lydia bent down to retrieve it and proceeded to open it.
“What’s that?” Marney asked.
“I don’t know it fell from the packaging.” Lydia took a folded piece of paper from the envelope.
“It’s for you,” she passed it to Marney, who sat down and began to read the short note.
“What does it say Marney, tell me,” Lydia asked impatiently.
“It says, sorry I missed her birthday, see you very soon.” She folded the paper in half and carefully slid it back inside the envelope.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Lydia frowned.
“How the hell should I know?” Marney dropped the envelope on the table.
“You’re not involved with someone are you Marney?” Lydia’s words were more of a warning than a question; accusing and bitter causing Marney to be guarded.
“When am I supposed to have the time for a love-life? If I’m not working I’m scraping baby food off the walls and carpet; anyway, why shouldn’t I be involved with someone, not that I am, but what if I was?” she rambled on.
“So, you are involved with someone then?” Lydia was confused.
“No, not really,” she avoided looking directly at her sister.
“You’re not making sense sis; are you seeing anyone or not?” Lydia demanded a direct answer.
“There’s this guy who’s been into the cafe a few times. He’s always friendly and I can tell he likes me. I’m sure he followed me to the park last week-end, but I can’t be certain.”
“Bloody-hell Marney is that your idea of a boy-friend, he sounds like a stalker to me,” Lydia groaned.
“I’m not seeing him I just meant he likes me, that’s all.”
Marney looked embarrassed, but Lydia couldn’t be sure if she was telling the truth. Her sister was capable of telling lies, and Lydia was aware of her devious ways. Marney would only reveal enough information to satisfy her, but over time she would leak little clues that would eventually lead to the whole picture. In fact, she was like a jigsaw; little by little the whole picture emerged, but right at the end one piece was missing!
“Let’s just forget about it eh; for all we know it could be a neighbour who bought the toy and didn’t want to disturb us.” Lydia attempted to convince herself, but secretly she found the incident unsettling.
“O.K. If you don’t mind Lyds I’m going to take a shower.” Marney left the room and Lydia spent the next hour tidying the kitchen and lounge before settling down on the sofa with a coffee and a magazine. Try as she might she could not rid her mind of the prospect of losing the cafe. Dropping the magazine over the side of the sofa, she examined the accounts for the umpteenth time desperate to find a way to keep the business going. After an hour, her eyes became heavy and she reluctantly stuffed the paper-work back into the file and went to bed. Lying on her back staring at the ceiling, she attempted to banish all negative thoughts from her head. Eventually tiredness overwhelmed her, and she fell into a deep sleep.
CHAPTER TWO.
Lydia woke with a start and sat upright in bed unaware of what had disturbed her. A ray of light peeped through a gap in the curtains and shone across the carpet. The house was in silence as she leaned over to check the time. It was six thirty and it was unusual that Heidi was still asleep. Sensing that something was wrong, she swung her legs out of bed and tiptoed towards her room. The door was ajar as Lydia popped her head around the door. Heidi was lying on her back with one arm outstretched and the other tucked beneath a pink quilt. She was a very pretty child with huge blue eyes and a mass of dark hair. Her temperament and looks were akin to her mother; with fair skin and a retroussé nose. The only difference being the two dimples in her chubby cheeks, probably a trait she had inherited from her father. Leaving the sleeping infant, she quietly backed out of the room and returned to her own. Pulling on a pair of jog pants, and a loose sweater she headed downstairs, trying to avoid the creaking step at the bottom. Pushing open the kitchen door, she was surprised to see Marney sitting at the table with the accounts file spread out in front of her.
“Hi Lyds, I thought you were still asleep,” she glanced up.
“No, I haven’t slept well; there are so many problems whizzing through my head. Apart from the cafe, I can’t stop thinking about Tom Anderson,” she paused.
“Oh; anything in particular?” Marney stared at her.
“Well I was wandering how he was able to phone me and write to me; I thought all correspondence from prisons’ were scrutinised, or whatever the word is?” Lydia frowned.
“I really don’t know sis, prisoners have more rights than us these days,” she avoided making eye contact with her sister.
“I’m going to phone the prison and find out; he’s got no right to contact me,” Lydia sat down and poured a cup of tea.
“Why don’t you read his letters?” Marney drummed her fingers on the surface of the kitchen table.
“We’ve already had this conversation sis,” Lydia stood up and crossed the room.
“Just read one,” her sister pleaded.
Lydia ignored her as she made a fresh pot of the tea, and then took a tray to the table.
The conversation came to a temporary halt as Lydia the room and went upstairs to collect the laundry basket and open the curtains. When she returned a few minutes later, Marney was sitting at the table with Tom Anderson’s letters spread out before her.
“What do you think you’re doing Marney?” her face was stern.
“Well if you won’t read them, I will.” She tore open an envelope and took out an A4 sized sheet of paper.
“You’ve got no right to open my private post,” Lydia attempted to gather the letters together, but Marney jumped to her feet holding the open letter close to her chest.
“Give it back to me,” Lydia raised her voice, but Marney clutched it tightly in her hand.
“I’ve started to read it Lyds,” Marney backed away. “You really should take a look at it.”
“I’m not interested; now just give it back to me,” Marney sensed a threat in her sister’s voice, but she would not yield.
“If you’re not interested, why do you want it back?”
A message bleeped on Lydia’s mobile phone and she reached out to retrieve it.
“Who’s that?” Marney steered the conversation away from the letters.
“Izzy Hall, she wants to meet up for lunch.”
“I didn’t know you still kept in touch.”
“Don’t change the subject Marney.”
“O.K, did you know that Tom Anderson has appealed against his sentence and had it reduced to four years. He’ll also be eligible for transfer to an open prison in the near future.”
“He’s done what?” Lydia’s face drained of colour as she sank into a chair.
“I told you to read his letters. “
“Shut up Marney I’m trying to think.”
“O.K. so you don’t want to know about R.O.T.L then?” Marney brushed past her sister and attempted to leave the room.
“What are you talking about?” she grasped Marney’s forearm more roughly than she intended.
“You’re hurting me,” she winced in pain.
“I’m sorry, let’s sit down and discuss this rationally sis,” she
spoke gently and released her grip.
“Please tell me what the letter said,” she spoke quietly.
“I’ve already told you; he can be transferred to an open prison and he’ll be eligible for release on temporary license; or R.O.T.L.” Marney explained as she rubbed her arm.
“Can you put that into English?”
“He can be allowed to work in the community and have day or overnight releases, but this won’t happen until he gets full license eligibility dates, or F.L.E.D. for short. This doesn’t happen overnight it could take up to twelve months,” she explained.
“And you got all this information from one letter?”
“Well, maybe two,” she admitted with a furtive smile.
“Is there anything else I should know?” Lydia asked cautiously.
“Not really,” she hesitated.
“So, there is something else?”
“There’s a chance he could be released from prison in less than eighteen months,” Marney winced in anticipation of her sister’s reaction.
“That’s not possible Marney; there must be some mistake,” Lydia grasped the edge of the table to steady herself.
“How can he possibly get his sentence reduced?” Lydia shook her head in despair.
“His lawyer managed to convince the judge that causing death by dangerous driving was a wrongful charge. He argued for a lesser charge of careless driving and won the case.”
“Four years, it’s not right. It shouldn’t be allowed.”
“It’s a long time off Lyds; we could move away to somewhere he’ll never find us,” Marney put a comforting arm around her shoulder.
“It doesn’t matter where we go, he’ll always be in my head Marney. This mental anguish is worse than the physical pain I suffered when Adam died, and I don’t know how to deal with it. I can’t keep running away; I need to make a stand and get Tom Anderson out of my life forever,” she stared vacantly at the wall deep in thought, and Marney could not find the right words to comfort her.
Heidi’s cries disturbed the discussion and Marney glanced in the direction of the stairs.
“I’d better go to her, she’ll want her breakfast.” She left the room and returned a few minutes later cradling her tearful daughter in her arms. After securing her in the high-chair, she began to prepare her cereal. Lydia remained deep in thought as Marney patiently fed small mouthfuls of porridge to the hungry little girl. Placing a beaker of warm milk on the tray, Marney turned her attention back to Lydia.
The Truth: sequel to I Will Find You Page 2
