“How did you get on?” she asked.
“They’re going to get back to me when they’ve spoken to him,” she replied.
“Well that’s good,” she turned away.
Jake kissed Lydia on the cheek.
“I’ll be in touch, thanks for letting me stay.”
“I’ll email my banking details; that’s if you haven’t changed your mind?” she asked cautiously.
“Of course not.”
Lydia smiled and closed the door as he left.
“We need to talk Marney,” her face was stern as she took a seat at the kitchen table.
“I don’t think there’s anything left to talk about sis,” she stood behind a chair with her hands gripping the sides.
“You have to make a decision about dropping the charges against Phillips,” she began.
“I already have; I’m not changing my mind,” she replied firmly.
“But he raped you; do you want him to do it to someone else?” she pleaded.
“It wasn’t a random attack Lydia, it was personal, he knew me,” she argued.
“That’s makes him more dangerous, you have to press charges.”
“I’m not discussing this any further; he’s threatened my daughter. I have to put her first,” she turned to leave.
“Please come back Marney; you’re making a big mistake,” Lydia sprang to her feet as her sister bounded up the stairs. Sinking back into her seat she held her head in her hands and sighed in frustration. The sound of doors and cupboards slamming in anger caused Lydia to look and cringe. Uncertain of how to broach the subject again without incurring further arguing, she decided to let her sister calm done before discussing the matter any further. Marney’s mobile phone ringing distracted her temporarily and she picked it up. Unknown number flashed across the screen and she answered it.
“This is her sister, I’ll get her for you.” Dashing up the stairs, she almost collided with Marney who was cradling Heidi in her arms.
“It’s for you,” she passed the phone over and held her arms out to take Heidi.
“Who is it?” she mouthed.
Lydia shrugged her shoulders and took the little girl down the stairs.
A few minutes later, Marney appeared in the kitchen doorway and Lydia glanced up.
“That was the Nursing Home,” she began. “We can visit tomorrow afternoon.”
“Do you want me to go with you?”
“Of course, he’s allowed two visitors, but I was advised not to bring Heidi.”
“Perhaps mum will have her?” Lydia suggested.
“I’m sure she will, but we mustn’t tell her where we’re going.”
“What are you going to say?”
“We’re going shopping for a couple of hours,” Marney sat down prompting Lydia to do the same.
“I’ve been thinking about what you said Lydia,” she began.
“And?”
“I understand what you’re saying, but I can’t go to court and have my past dragged up,” she paused.
“O.K. Marney, but we could go to the police and explain how you feel.” Lydia spoke slowly and calmly.
“I think they know how I bloody feel sis,” she raised her voice.
“Sorry, I said the wrong thing.”
“Do we have any cheese left?” Marney asked.
“Cheese?”
“Yes cheese, Heidi likes it on toast.”
“Yeah, there’s plenty,” she gesticulated in the direction of the fridge.
Marney stood up and proceeded to make her daughter a snack.
“Have we finished talking?” she asked from across the room.
“Not by a long way,” Lydia stood up.
“Look sis, I’m not pressing charges, there’s no more to be said.” Marney cut the toast into quarters and placed them on the high-chair tray.
“Fine,” Lydia stormed out of the room and dashed upstairs where she spent the next hour cleaning vigorously in an attempt to dispel her increasing frustration over her sister’s stubborn attitude. Pulling off her rubber gloves, Lydia dropped them to the floor and turned on the shower. Her mood had not lifted, and she was determined to clear the air with Marney. Dressed in jeans and a loose top, Lydia rubbed a towel over her hair and brushed it in to place before heading down to the kitchen. Marney was sitting at the table reading a magazine and didn’t look up.
“I need to talk to you,” she took a seat opposite her sister.
“The subjects closed,” she stood up and took Heidi from her high-chair and placed her into her playpen.
“I know, that’s what I need to talk to you about.”
Marney turned around.
“There’s nothing to say sis.”
“You’ll have to go to the Police station and tell them why you don’t want to press charges,” she glared at Marney.
“I’ve already done that,” she glared back.
“When?” Lydia demanded to know.
“I went for a walk last night when Jake was here; I walked to the station. It’s all done. I just have to wait to see what the C.P.S. say,” she flared her nostrils in anger.
“Why didn’t you tell me, I could have come with you,” Lydia softened her tone.
“I can function without you sis; anyway, this happened to me not you,” hostility was still evident in her tone forcing Lydia to shrink back into her seat.
With her head held high and deliberately avoiding her sister’s stare, Marney walked out of the room clutching her daughter close to her chest. Lydia knew she had lost and decided not to broach the subject again. Perhaps she had not stopped to consider how her sister was feeling; she had endured a traumatic and horrific experience, one that Lydia could only imagine. Still dwelling on her sister’s predicament, Lydia was startled when her phone sounded in the silence. Jake’s name flashed across the screen and she picked it up.
“Hello Jake,” she replied quietly.
“I need your bank details Lydia,” he reminded her.
“I forgot, I’ll do it now.”
“O.K love, are you alright you sound distracted?” Jake detected a hint of reticence in her voice.
“It’s Marney, she’s withdrawn the charges from Phillips’. We’ve had an argument,” she admitted.
“It’s her decision Lydia; just give her some space.”
“You’re right I know, but I feel so angry that he’s going to get away with it, it’s not right Jake.”
“I know, but if she’s dropped the charges, there’s nothing you can do Lydia.”
“I have to go now Jake, I’ll email my details,” Lydia replied as Marney came into the room. Pressing the call end button, she looked up at her sister.
“I’m sorry sis,” she replied meekly.
“It’s O.K.; I was a bit shitty with you, I’m sorry too,” she rushed forward and hugged Lydia, a gesture she was not expecting. Pulling away from her grip, Lydia spoke.
“I’m O.K. with your decision and I won’t mention it again.”
“Thanks,” Marney smiled.
“I need to send Jake an email and then perhaps we could go to the park for a walk?” Lydia suggested tapping the keys on her mobile phone. When she had finished, she glanced up at her sister.
“What do you think?” she asked.
“I don’t think I can face working in the café,” she replied hesitantly.
“Oh, I never gave that a thought,” Lydia replied vaguely.
“What if he comes in the café, or finds out that Heidi is with mum when I’m at work? He already knows where they live,”
“He wouldn’t dare come in the cafe; and you know she’s safe with mum and dad,” Lydia attempted to reassure her, but the expression on her face conveyed doubt.
“Don’t let him destroy your life sis; I can’t imagine what you’ve been through, but you have to be strong. We’ll get through this together, but you have to carry on and fight the urge to hide away,” she paused momentarily and searched her sister’s face for a hint of po
sitivity.
“That’s easier said than done,” Marney sank down into a chair and clenched her hands tightly together.
Lydia knelt beside her, squeezed her hands and looked at her troubled face.
“I lost my only child through a tragic accident, and then slept with his killer. How I wanted to hide away and never open my eyes again, but you helped me through it Marney, now I’m going to do the same for you. Don’t give up, if you do then he’s won.”
Marney forced a smile.
“I’ll try,” she stood up and wiped tears from her eyes.
“You’ll get through this sis, I promise you,” Lydia stroked her arm.
“I know,” she bent down and took Heidi from the playpen.
“I’ll change her and then we could take her to the park,” Marney kissed her daughter’s cheek.
“O.K,” Lydia smiled and added.
“Have you asked mum if she can have Heidi tomorrow?”
“Yes, she says it’s O.K. She’s going to take her to visit Auntie Marj.”
“I didn’t know she was still alive,” Lydia grinned.
“I know; she must be well into her eighties,” Marney sniggered.
Lydia hoped that she had given her sister the encouragement and resilience she needed to move on from her ordeal.
CHAPTER TWELVE
An afternoon in the local park proved to be therapeutic for Marney as she pushed her daughter in a swing and held her hand as she threw chunks of bread to the ever-hungry geese and ducks. The sisters chatted and laughed together as they made their way back to the car-park where Marney positioned Heidi’s pushchair towards the back of the car. Spotting the ladies toilets, she glanced over her shoulder and called to Lydia.
“I’m just nipping to the loo,” she hurried away.
Taking Heidi from her pushchair, Lydia secured her in car seat, packed the pushchair into the boot and awaited her sister’s return. Standing by the side of the car her phone sounded. Seeing Jake’s name flash across the screen she answered. With her back turned she walked away from the car and engaged in conversation with her ex-husband. Not realising how far she had walked Lydia turned and headed back to the car as Marney came out of the ladies.
“Thanks for this Jake; I will pay you back when I can,” Lydia ended the call and waved to Marney who smiled at her. As they approached the car her expression changed, and she rushed forward.
“Where is she Lydia, where is she?” she snatched the car door open and stared in horror at the empty car seat.
“Oh, my god sis, I only left her for a few minutes I promise,” Lydia choked back the tears.
“You left her; how could you do that, what’s wrong with you,” Marney sobbed hysterically and dropped to the ground punching the gravelled path with her bare hands. Shaking with fear and uncontrollable terror, Lydia keyed 999 into her mobile phone and breathed in deeply to control the panic which was threatening to overcome her. Speaking incoherently to the operator, she eventually managed to convey the details and their location. As she ended the call Marney rose slowly to her feet and turned to face her sister.
“He’s taken her; I told you he would,” her face was red and blotchy with tears of black mascara flowing freely over her cheeks.
“I’m so sorry Marney, I shouldn’t have left her,” Lydia reached out to comfort her.
“Don’t touch me,” she took a step back.
“Don’t do this sis,” Lydia pleaded with her.
“Why did you leave her? You knew he’d threatened to take her,” she continued to sob.
“I didn’t,” she paused desperately searching for the right words to say as her sister’s eyes burned into her.
“I mean I didn’t go far Marney, I promise you. How could this have happened?” Lydia clenched her hands together.
The intense altercation was temporarily halted as the sound of sirens heralded the appearance of three police cars at the entrance of the park. Pulling up by the side of Lydia’s car, Marney hurried towards the officer’s. After a barrage of questions and a thorough examination of the car by a team of Scene of Crime Officers, the two sisters were driven to the police station to be questioned. Lydia stared vacantly out of the window as Marney continued to cry. Realising it was pointless to attempt any further conversation with her, Lydia remained silent and fought the urge to comfort her distraught sister. At the Police station, the sisters were interviewed simultaneously but in different rooms.
“Mrs. Nevin, I’m Detective George Kent and this is my colleague P.C. Emily Jones, she’ll be taking notes,” he explained.
“If you’d like to tell us what happened this afternoon,” he prompted her to speak.
Lydia explained as precisely as possible and remained relatively calm.
“How long was your back turned away from the car Mrs. Nevin?” Detective Kent asked.
“I don’t know,” Lydia sighed trying desperately not to break down.
“Five minutes, twenty minutes?” the officer suggested.
“About five minutes, no more than that,” she agreed.
“Did you see anyone near the car?” he continued.
“There was a couple walking around the lake. I saw them as I was talking on the phone, but they were in the distance.”
“O.K. Now did you hear a car door open or close?” he continued.
“No nothing at all, that’s what I can’t understand,” she dabbed her eyes with a tissue.
“This sort of crime is unusual, and the perpetrators are generally known to their victims,” the Detective explained.
The interview was halted by the entry into the room of a senior officer. Rising to his feet, Kent approached him and after a brief whispered conversation, returned to the table.
“Are you acquainted with a young man by the name of Ewan Phillips?”
“Acquainted is not the word I would use officer,” she cringed at the mention of his name.
“Would you like to explain your relationship with this man?” he persisted.
“Relationship!” she leaned forward and took a deep breath.
“If you had read the report on this person,” she paused and added, “You would know that he raped my sister a few days ago,” she struggled to control her temper and took a deep breath.
“We are aware of this young man’s actions Mrs. Nevin,” he glanced down at his paperwork before continuing.
“So why are you asking me these questions? I don’t know anything about him except that he was bothering my sister prior to the attack.”
Ignoring her remark, he continued.
“What can you tell me about the child’s father?”
This question took her by surprise and she was uncertain of how to respond.
“Did you hear the question Mrs. Nevin?”
“I heard the question, but I don’t understand the relevance of it,” she replied bluntly.
“As I said previously, it is quite probable that whoever took the child, was acquainted with her.”
“Her name is Heidi, Inspector,” she leaned back in her seat and crossed her arms firmly across her chest.
“I apologise. Now could you tell me anything about Heidi’s father,” he smiled for the first time.
After a few minutes’ contemplation, Lydia replied.
“Heidi’s father was a college lecturer who died before she was born.”
“So why does your sister insist that Ewan Phillips has taken her daughter?”
“You’ll have to ask her that question.”
“I’m asking you,” he leaned forward and looked over the top of his spectacles.
“Why are you wasting time asking irrelevant questions when you should be out looking for my niece?” Lydia raised her voice.
“There are a team of officers scouring the area and trying to locate Phillips,
“What are you talking about; locate Phillips?” Lydia sat upright.
“You must know he was released on bail yesterday morning.”
“That’s no
t possible, he raped my sister, you said there was evidence against him,” anxiety was evident in her words.
“I’m not able to answer your questions but the correct procedure will have been followed. After you sister dropped the charges, the Magistrate made the decision to release him on bail until the C.P.S. agree on the next course of action,” he paused prompting Lydia to speak.
“Why weren’t we told?”
“I can’t answer that Mrs. Nevin, but if he isn’t at his bail address he will be arrested for breach of bail conditions,” he replied officiously.
“You can’t answer much, can you Inspector. Now if you’ve finished I need to see my sister,” she rose from her seat.
“You need to make a statement, and then you’re free to go.”
Half an hour later, Lydia finally signed her statement and stood up to leave.
“If you wait here a little longer I’ll find out where your sister is Mrs. Nevin.” The Inspector left the room.
Drumming her fingers impatiently on the surface of the table, Lydia repeatedly glanced up at the clock as ten minutes passed slowly by. Eventually the door opened, and she sprang to her feet.
“Please sit down Mrs. Nevin,” he spoke quietly, gesturing with his hand.
Fearing what he was about to disclose, she sank slowly into the chair.
“There has been a recent development,” he glanced at his paper-work.
“Ewan Phillips has been arrested at his bail address, but there is no evidence to suggest he’s involved in your niece’s abduction.”
“Oh my god; what’s happened to her? I only turned my back for a few minutes, how is this possible?” she cupped her hands to her face and sobbed.
“Sadly, it only takes a few minutes for this to happen,” he replied sombrely.
Lydia continued to cry and utter inaudible words of regret as the Inspector sat in silence waiting for her to calm down. After a few minutes, he spoke.
“Would you like a tea or coffee Mrs. Nevin?”
The Truth: sequel to I Will Find You Page 9
