The Truth: sequel to I Will Find You

by Catherine Lambert

  “If there’s nothing stronger on offer, I’ll have coffee please,” she dabbed her eyes on a soggy tissue.

  “Black or white?”

  “White please, no sugar,” she attempted to compose herself.

  He left the room and returned a few minutes later carrying a tray. Placing her drink before her, he re-took his seat and sipped his drink.

  “Have you found out where my sister is?” she asked placing her cup on the table.

  “She left with your parent’s half an hour ago,” he informed her.

  “Oh,” Lydia was visibly shocked.

  “She asked me to give you this,” he replied taking a folded piece of paper from his jacket pocket.

  Snatching it from his hand, Lydia unfolded the paper and began to read the short note. It began simply;

  ‘Lydia, I shall be staying with mum and dad for a few days, please do not try to contact me. I need time to be on my own, I shall never forgive you if anything happens to my daughter.’

  The words tore at Lydia’s heart and she struggled to breathe as tears of grief flowed freely down her cheeks.

  “Are you O.K Mrs. Nevin?” P.C. Jones spoke for the first time.

  Screwing the note into a tight ball, Lydia dropped it on the table and stared ahead.

  “No, I’m not; I need to go home,” she stood up and faced the police officers.

  “I’ll get someone to drive you,” Kent replied.

  “What about my car?” she asked.

  “It’ll be released to you in due time,” he walked towards the door.

  “In due time; what does that mean?”

  “When we have finished our investigation,” he opened the door for her.

  “I don’t need a ride, I’ll get my husband, ex-husband to pick me up.” Lydia took her phone from her bag and keyed in Jake’s number.

  Not wishing to discuss her predicament over the phone, she told Jake her car had broken down, and arranged to meet him away from the police station.

  Fifteen minutes later, his car pulled up and Lydia sat in the passenger seat with her head bowed. Instantly, he knew something was wrong, but she remained silent until they arrived home.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Slumped on the sofa, Lydia gestured for Jake to sit next to her. Instantly she threw her arms around him and sobbed until her body shook and her eyes were puffy and red. As gently as possible. Jake drew away and asked,

  “What’s happened love?”

  “Heidi’s been abducted and Marney has gone,” she managed to speak through her choked tears.

  “You’re not making any sense Lydia.”

  She breathed in deeply and sighed.

  “We were in the park, Marney nipped to the loo while I put Heidi in her car seat. Then I spoke to you and when I turned around Heidi was gone,” her expression was one of terror as she lowered her head and rubbed her hands together.

  “My god, I can’t believe it; what are the police doing?”

  “Everything they can. What if she’s dead Jake?” she asked in a whisper.

  “No one would do that, people who take babies are usually unbalanced. They’ll find her love, I promise you,” he put his arms around her shoulders.

  When she eventually pulled away, he looked into her eyes and experienced an immense sensation of love and deep sympathy for her but resisted acting on it.

  I’ll go and put the kettle on,” he said, rising to his feet.

  “I don’t want tea and sympathy Jake, open a bottle of wine,” she replied following him into the kitchen.

  Jake reluctantly poured two glasses of wine and took a seat at the kitchen table.

  “Tell me about Marney, where has she gone?” he took a sip of wine.

  “Back to our parent’s house, she doesn’t want to look at me never mind live under the same roof. I don’t blame her Jake, this is all my fault,” she raised her glass and drained the contents.

  “Steady Lydia, that isn’t going to help,” he warned.

  “Right now, it does,” she refilled her glass.

  “I didn’t notice if Marney’s car was in the drive; will you have a look Jake?”

  Dutifully he obeyed and returned shortly to report.

  “It’s not there,” he replied bluntly.

  Lydia’s expression changed, her facial muscles tightened, and her brow furrowed.

  “I have to check upstairs,” she dashed from the room and ran up the stairs.

  After a few minutes of doors slamming and drawers opening and closing, she returned to the kitchen.

  “She’s taken all hers’ and Heidi’s clothes,” she replied solemnly.

  “She’ll be back Lydia, you just need to give her time.”

  “No amount of time will change anything if she doesn’t get Heidi back,” she began to cry again.

  “What am I going to about the café?” Lydia sat upright.

  “I can’t manage on my own.”

  “I can help out,” Jake offered.

  Lydia glanced up at him.

  “You can’t just take time off work.”

  “I’m the boss; I can please myself.”

  “I think I’ll close for a week; I’ll put a notice on the door,” she stood up and took another bottle of wine from the rack. With a fresh drink in her hand, she looked across the table at Jake.

  “Do you think I should phone her?”

  “No Lydia; let her make the first move,” he poured himself a small glass of wine and leaned back in his seat.

  “I could phone mum and ask how she is,” she suggested.

  “I think you know how she is Lydia, and your mother will probably take her side in blaming you for what’s happened,” he regretted his words instantly.

  “So, you think it’s my fault?” she reared up.

  “No, I’m sorry love. I meant,”

  “I know what you meant Jake, you don’t need to say it,” she didn’t give him time to defend himself.

  Scraping her chair across the tiled floor, she rose to her feet.

  “I’m going to take a shower; I’d like you to leave.”

  “Don’t do this Lydia, I was just trying to protect you.”

  “I don’t need protecting Jake,” she walked away.

  Realising she would not change her mind, Jake picked up his keys and left the house. Standing motionless in the shower cubicle, Lydia relived the horror of what had happened. Jake’s words may have been spoken innocently, but the truth of them tore at her heart. She was solely responsible for Heidi’s abduction and no words or actions could alter that. Grabbing a towel from the rail, she tucked it over her breasts and walked slowly to her bedroom. After brushing her hair, she dropped the towel to the floor and pulled on a pair of jog pants and a T-shirt. Her mind and thoughts were a turmoil of horrifying images which she could not shake off as she walked slowly down the stairs avoiding glancing in the direction of Heidi’s room. Alone in the kitchen, Lydia wished she had not insisted on Jake leaving. He had supported her, and now the house was silent and hostile. She picked up her phone, scrolled down her contact list and stopped at Jakes’ number. Deliberating over her next action, she dropped the phone onto the table top and stood up. Running her fingers through her damp hair she paced up and down the room. Why had she been so hasty? She knew the answer to this question was the reason why she had asked Jake to leave, but was he blaming her for what had happened? On impulse, she snatched the phone from the table and stabbed the call button. She was about to end the call when Jake answered.

  “Hi Lydia,” he replied quietly.

  “I’m sorry,” she replied.

  “So am I.”

  “Will you come back Jake, I can’t do this on my own?” she whined.

  “I’ll be about half an hour; see you soon,” he ended the call.

  Relieved by his response she began to clear the glasses and empty bottles away. Fighting to control the despair that was engulfing her, she picked up her mobile phone and keyed in a message to Marney but did not sen
d it. Standing by the kitchen sink she glanced out of the window. It was a mild evening and Heidi’s trike and playhouse were clearly visible. The sight of them caused her heart to race and her breathing to quicken. Turning away, she sat down at the table and choked back the tears. She had to speak to Marney; she needed to hear her voice and know that she didn’t blame her for what had happened, but she couldn’t make the call. Still deep in thought, she jumped at the sound of the front door bell ringing and leapt to her feet to answer it. Jake stood on the step with an awkward expression on his face.

  “Can I come in?” he asked sheepishly.

  “Of course; thanks for coming Jake,” she followed him to the kitchen feeling her mood lift at the sight of him.

  “Shall we have a coffee?” she asked flicking the kettle on.

  “Please,” he paused and added, “You sound a lot brighter.”

  “I’m trying not to think about it Jake,” she swallowed hard and forced a smile.

  Bringing the coffee to the table, Jake touched Lydia’s forearm and looked up at her.

  “Sit down Lydia,” he spoke quietly.

  “What’s wrong Jake?” she asked cautiously.

  “Maria phoned me after I left,” he began.

  “O.K.” Lydia replied.

  “She’s demanding half of everything I have,” he was angry which confused her.

  “You sound surprised Jake,” she raised her eyebrows.

  “I wasn’t convinced that she wanted a divorce, I thought we were just going through a bad patch.” he began.

  “Now I’m confused Jake; are you saying you don’t want a divorce?”

  “No, not at all,” he paused.

  “What are you trying to say then?” she asked impatiently.

  “She was seeing someone else Lydia,” he replied quietly avoiding her stare.

  “Oh, I see, but then I know how that feels,” she leaned back in her chair.

  Jake looked up. “I just knew you’d say that Lydia,” he narrowed his eyes.

  “What did you expect me to say?” she leaned forward.

  “I thought you might have a modicum of sympathy for me,” he stood up and turned away.

  “Well, you caught me at a bad time Jake. I do have a modicum of sympathy for you, but no more than that,” she spoke to his back.

  Her words procured the desired effect, and he turned to face her.

  “What do you want me to do Lydia?” his expression was stern.

  “I don’t really know; but I’d prefer it if we didn’t keep dragging up the past.”

  “You did that,” he retaliated.

  “I’m not going to stand here and argue with you Jake. My niece is missing, my sister may never speak to me again and I don’t really care about your failed relationship with Maria,” she fell silent resisting the urge to chastise him.

  Her mind was tortured with images of Heidi and Marney and the prospect of never be reconciled with them. Even if her niece was found unharmed would Marney ever forgive her? Deep in negative thought, Lydia jumped at the sound of her mobile phone ringing. Rising slowly to her, feet she picked up the phone and stared at the screen as Marney’s name flashed across it. Feeling her heart rate quicken, she pressed the key and took a deep breath. With all the normality she could muster, she spoke.

  “Hello Marney,” her voice quivered with emotion.

  “They’ve found her,” her sister spoke through her tears.

  “Oh, thank god,” Lydia began to pace around the room as Jake watched on in silence.

  Lydia continued to nod and speak the occasional word as Marney relayed the details. After ten minutes on the phone, Lydia ended the call, but Jake could tell by her despondent tone that there had been no reconciliation on Marney’s behalf.

  “She’s safe,” Lydia cried tears of relief as Jake held her.

  “Tell me what happened,” he asked pulling away.

  “A young girl took her,” she paused and took a sip of wine.

  “Go on,” Jake urged her.

  “An elderly lady phoned the police when she heard a baby crying in the flat above her. She knew the young woman who lived there had just lost a baby, and when she saw the news on the television, she was suspicious. Apparently, the police made an appeal about Heidi’s abduction, and she called the help line,” she looked at Jake and smiled.

  “She’s been taken to the hospital to be checked over,” she added.

  “So, is Marney coming back?” he asked cautiously.

  “No, not yet, but at least Heidi is safe,” the smile disappeared from her face.

  “You need to give her time, she’ll come back to you,” he attempted to reassure her. Lydia didn’t reply; although she was immensely relieved to hear the good news it was going to be a long time before her sister would forgive her.

  “When did you last eat?” Jake changed the subject.

  “I’m not hungry,” Lydia cupped her face in her hands and sighed.

  “You need to eat something Lydia,” he stood up and headed towards the kitchen.

  “I really aren’t hungry,” she called out as he began searching through the cupboards for something simple to prepare. Finding nothing more than tinned soup, he opened one and poured it into a saucepan. A few minutes later he appeared in the doorway with a tray.

  “Let’s eat,” he placed a bowl of soup and a chunk of crusty bread before her.

  Reluctantly she picked up her spoon and took a small mouthful.

  “It’s not bad Jake,” she took another mouthful.

  “Thank you,” he nodded and added, “Chicken is my favourite.”

  “I know,” he smiled.

  “Is there any wine left?” Lydia asked swallowing the last spoonful of soup.

  “Just a bit,” he topped up her drink.

  “Will you stay with me tonight?” Lydia asked.

  “If you want me to,” he looked into her eyes.

  “There’s something I need to tell you Jake.”

  “I don’t like the sound of this,” Jake dabbed his mouth and clasped his hands together.

  “It concerns Tom Anderson,” she began.

  “Tom Anderson, I don’t know what you mean. He is still in prison, isn’t he?”

  “That’s not what it’s about,” Lydia paused now wishing she hadn’t begun the conversation.

  “What is it about Lydia?” his tone was brusque.

  “I had a relationship with him,” she blurted the words out.

  Jake glared across the table at her.

  “A sexual relationship,” she added quietly.

  “Say something Jake,” she stared at his unforgiving expression.

  “When did this happen?” he eventually asked.

  “I met him in The Barrel Pub while I was waiting for Ellen Gerrity. I didn’t know at the time that he was Ellen’s brother and that the meeting was a set up,” she explained reticently.

  “How long did this relationship last?” his tone was edged with disgust.

  “Not long, and I only slept with him once and I did regret it.”

  “Oh, that’s alright then. It doesn’t matter that you jumped into bed with the man who killed our son,” he leapt to his feet.

  “Please Jake, I didn’t know what he’d done until weeks after we’d split up,” she pleaded as he walked away.

  “Goodbye Lydia; I made a big mistake in thinking we could have a future together,” he stormed out of house with Lydia shouting at him.

  “You bloody hypocrite; you were bloody screwing that slut when our child died,” she slammed the door so hard the letter box rattled, and the frame shook.

  Sinking down on the sofa, Lydia let out a cry of frustration and beat her clenched fists into a cushion. Why did she have to tell him? She knew the answer was to clear her conscience, but if there was any hope of a future together it had to be based on truth and openness. In the silence, Lydia cried in desperation and regret. Her honesty had driven Jake away and without Marney, she had no-one to turn to. Dabbing her ey
es, she dragged herself to her feet and headed up the stairs. Dropping her clothes to the floor, she pulled back the duvet and crawled into bed.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  As the sun streamed through the curtains, Lydia opened her eyes and recalled the events of the previous evening. Lifting her head from the pillow, she groaned as Jake’s departing words flooded back. Throwing back the duvet, she glanced at the clock on the bedside locker and sat up in bed. With Jake and Marney gone from her life she lacked the impetus to carry on. Although she tried to be, she was not an emotionally strong person. She now had two choices, give up or fight to be reconciled with her sister. Jake would have to make his own decision about their future, she did not intend to go crawling to him begging for forgiveness. Focusing her thoughts on her sister, Lydia made her way to the bathroom and stepped into the shower. Half an hour later feeling more alert but still despondent, she went down the stairs to the kitchen. Flicking on the kettle, she jumped as a loud knocking sounded from the front door. Hoping it was Marney or Jake she rushed to answer it. The open door revealed the post man with a letter in his hand.

  “I need a signature for this Mrs. Nevin,” he replied glancing at the envelope.

  “Right,” she said and took the pen.

  “Thank you,” he turned and left.

  Lydia closed the door and glanced at the letter. The postmark and the words written in the left-hand corner caused her heart to thud in her chest and she sank down slowly into a chair. Dreading the contents, she turned the letter over and over in her hands, dropped it onto the table and stood up to make a cup of tea. Re-taking her place at the table, she stared at the letter and ripped the envelope open. The familiar hand writing and the repeated words imploring for her forgiveness filled Lydia with rage. She would never forgive Tom Anderson for taking her son from her, but she had moved on with her life. He would not receive a response to his letters no matter how many he sent. Lydia stood up and paced round the room before reading the last page. His final words filled her with extreme anxiety as she realised he could be transferred to an open prison within twenty-five miles of her home. This move, he explained was to prepare him for early release in as little as three months’ time. Screwing the letter into a tight ball, she threw it across the room and picked up her mobile phone. Scrolling down her contact list for Marney’s number, she paused momentarily before pressing the button. She was about to end the call when her sister answered in a harsh tone.