The Truth: sequel to I Will Find You

by Catherine Lambert

  “What do you want Lydia?”

  “I need to talk to you sis,” she pleaded.

  A few seconds of silence ensued before she replied.

  “What do you want to talk about,” her tone was still brusque.

  “How is Heidi?” Lydia cringed and held her breath.

  “She’s fine. The hospital said she was not injured in any way, she was just traumatised, thanks to you.”

  “I know you don’t want to hear it Marney, but I really am sorry for what I did,”

  “You were talking to Jake; you had your back turned away,” her voice quivered with emotion.

  “I know what I did was wrong, you don’t have to remind me; but I won’t be talking to Jake again.”

  “Why? What’s happened?”

  “We argued,” Lydia was reluctant to explain why.

  “That’s nothing new; what was the argument about?”

  “I told him about my relationship with Tom Anderson.”

  “Why did you do that Lyds?” Marney’s tone softened.

  “I just needed to tell him. I didn’t want to have any secrets if we were going to get back together.”

  “He’ll forgive you if he wants you back,” Marney replied, but she doubted her own words.

  “I don’t think I want him back; he’ll probably cheat on me again, it’s in his blood.”

  “I’m sorry it didn’t work out,” there was genuine sympathy in Marney’s tone.

  “Will you come home sis, I really miss you and Heidi?” Lydia held her breath in anticipation.

  “Yes, I’ve missed you too. I’m sorry I was so hard on you.”

  “You had every right to sis,” Lydia replied meekly.

  “I’ll see you in a couple of hours Lyds, bye.” Marney ended the call.

  A wave of immense relief washed over Lydia as she rushed upstairs to tidy Marney and Heidi’s rooms’. Dashing from room to room, Lydia polished and plumped up cushions before vacuuming every carpet in the house. In the kitchen, she wiped all the surfaces, emptied the dishwasher and steam mopped the floor before she was satisfied that the house was clean. Standing back to admire her labours, Lydia smiled to herself and glanced up at the clock. It was almost two hours since she had spoken to Marney and she rushed into the lounge to look out of the window. Fearing Marney had had a change of heart, Lydia peered anxiously up and down the street in search of her car. Turning away in frustration, she sighed and returned to the kitchen where she caught sight of the screwed-up letter lodged behind the pedal pin. The sight of it induced another surge of rage and she snatched it from the floor and dropped it in the drawer with the rest of his despised correspondence. It was now almost three hours since her conversation with Marney and her fears intensified as she peered through the lounge window again. She was about to turn away when the familiar red Peugeot swung into the drive. Hurrying outside to meet her, Lydia pulled open the front door and smiled at Heidi as Marney stepped out of the car. Standing a few meters apart, neither spoke until Lydia rushed forward and hugged her sister.

  “It’s good to be back,” Marney smiled.

  Lydia didn’t reply as she helped Marney lug three huge suitcases into the house.

  When the door closed behind them Marney placed Heidi into her play pen and turned to her sister.

  “Can we agree not to talk about this again?” she asked.

  “Do you really forgive me sis?” Lydia cringed.

  “Yes, I think you’ve suffered as much as I have,” her expression was serious.

  Lydia nodded and turned away.

  “Let’s get these cases upstairs, we can unpack them later.”

  “I need to get some of Heidi’s clothes back in the wardrobe,” Marney spoke as she followed her sister up the stairs. A couple of hours later, Lydia placed the last pile of clothes from the suitcase and closed the door. As Heidi slept in her cot, Marney made her way down the stairs with Lydia in tow. With a pot of tea between them, Lydia initiated a conversation.

  “I’ll be reopening the café next week if you feel well enough to work?” she smiled across the table.

  “I’m not sure, I’ll let you know at the weekend,” Marney frowned then added,

  “What’s happening with Jake?”

  “I don’t think he’ll be back,” Lydia stared ahead in deep thought.

  “You shouldn’t have told him sis” she leaned forward wrinkling her brow.

  “I had to, it’s been eating away at me,” she sighed

  “Will he take the money back?”

  “He can’t do that, but I bet he’s regretting it now,” Lydia smiled.

  “What are you going to do?” Marney continued to question her.

  “I’m not going to do anything, he walked out, it’s up to him to contact me.”

  “Can we talk about something else?” she paused and asked.

  “How did you get on at the Nursing Home?” Lydia changed the subject.

  “I had to cancel, but I’ve rearranged the visit for tomorrow; can you come with me?”

  “Sure, what about Heidi?”

  “Mum’s going to take her out for the day; I told her I needed to do some shopping,” Marney was thoughtful.

  “Tom Andersons’ being transferred to an open prison about twenty-five miles from here,” Lydia stared at her sister.

  “So close; have you spoken to the prison or the police?” Marney learned forward.

  “What’s the point; it’s done. He wouldn’t dare come here anyway. It’s against the regulation and terms of his transfer.”

  “He’ll be sent back to prison if he does Lyds.”

  “He won’t be released for twelve months, you told me that Marney. Now he’s saying he could be released in three months,” desperation was evident in Lydia’s tone.

  “He won’t hurt you sis, he just wants to continue the relationship with you.”

  “Can you hear yourself Marney?” Lydia raised her voice and leapt to her feet.

  “Relationship? He’s sick and deluded; he needs help to sort out his twisted mind,” Lydia began to pace around the kitchen.

  “I just meant that he wouldn’t be a threat to you sis that’s all,” Marney attempted to justify her careless choice of words.

  “I don’t want to breath the same air as him, he should stay in prison and rot. My life changed when he was sent to prison. I moved on; Adam will always be in my heart and thoughts, but after his killer was caught, I moved on. When Jake came back to me I thought we could get back together, even have another child together. Now he’s gone, and Tom Anderson will be free to continue his life and plague me.” Lydia calmed down and sank back into her seat.

  “I understand sis, we’ll get through this together even if it means moving away,” Marney smiled as her phone rang and she stood up to answer it.

  “Yes, it is,” she paused.

  “Are you serious?” Marney’s face was strained with anguish.

  A few minutes of silence ensued as Marney listened to the caller.

  “So that’s it then; he’s got away with it,” she stabbed the call end button and stared at Lydia.

  “Who was that?” she asked.

  “The police, the CPS have decided not to press charges against Ewan Phillips,”

  her face was stern.

  “But that’s what you wanted sis,” she reminded her.

  “He threatened to harm my child Lydia, remember?”

  “I know, but it’s over now, going to court just prolongs the ordeal,” Lydia pointed out.

  “I know, but I relive it every day,” Marney was tearful.

  “It’ll get better, I promise you,” she placed a comforting arm around her shoulder.

  “Let’s go out for something to eat,” Lydia suggested.

  “I don’t know,” Marney hesitated.

  “We should do something to celebrate your homecoming,” Lydia attempted to be jovial.

  After a few minutes contemplation, Marney relented.

  “Let’s go to Th
e Pizza Palace, Heidi loves pizza,” she smiled.

  “O.K. sounds good,” Lydia agreed.

  At five thirty the sisters put Heidi into her car seat and drove the two-mile journey to the Pizza Palace. As the family enjoyed a pleasant evening, events were unfolding less than five miles from where they sat. Fuelled by drugs and alcohol, Ewan Phillips attacked an eighteen-year old girl and dragged her into a deserted car-park. As the poor girl struggled to escape, Phillips knocked her to the ground and fractured her skull. Despite all efforts made to save her, she was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Unaware of his predicament, Phillips spent the night in his caravan sleeping off the effects of drugs and alcohol. D.N.A. taken from his unfortunate victim quickly identified the perpetrator and he was duly arrested and incarcerated.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  At ten thirty the next morning, Marney left Heidi with her parents and began the drive to The Willows Nursing home. As the housing estates and busy roads gave way to rural tranquillity, a sign indicating the location of the Nursing Home came into view. Turning into the drive that led to the home, Lydia spoke.

  “It’s a lovely setting sis,” she turned to admire the landscaped gardens and colourful flowerbeds.

  “It’s not much use if you’re bedridden,” Marney stared ahead.

  “You have to turn right here,” Lydia pointed to a sign indicating the reception area.

  “I know,” Marney followed the signs and brought the car to a halt outside the front of the home. A notice requesting all visitors to report to the main reception area prompted Marney to head in that direction. Pushing open the heavy wooden door, the sisters stepped inside the imposing building. Although the furnishings and decoration were clearly old, the interior was clean and well presented. A large mahogany desk fronted by a middle-aged man indicated the reception desk. Stepping forward, Marney approached the desk and spoke to the elderly gentleman.

  “Good morning, we have an appointment to visit Mr. Earnest Gerrity,” she smiled.

  “Your names please,” he flicked through the pages of a huge leather-bound journal.

  “Marney Stephens and Lydia Nevin.”

  Closing the book, he looked up at Marney.

  “Mr. Gerrity is with the doctor at the moment, if you take a seat I’ll let you know when he’s able to receive you,” he gestured to a line of high-backed chairs positioned by the side of the desk.

  “Is Mr. Gerrity ill?” Lydia asked the question.

  “All our patients are ill Mrs. Nevin,” he peered over the top of his spectacles.

  “That’s not what I meant,” she answered back.

  “It’s just a routine examination; please take a seat,” he dismissed her with a wave of his hand.

  Lydia and Marney sat side by side as the clock in the corner ticked noisily in the silence. After what seemed like an eternity, a young woman dressed in black trousers and a crisp white tunic approached them. A name badge pinned to her lapel displayed her name as Care Nurse Laura Kent.

  “If you’d like to follow me Mr. Gerrity is waiting to see you.”

  Rising to their feet, the sisters followed the young nurse along a dimly lit corridor, through a set of double swing doors and into a room where a sign indicated they had reached the residents day room.

  “Before we enter I have to ask you to be aware of the needs and vulnerabilities of all our residents. Please do not converse in a loud tone or distress Mr. Gerrity in any way,” she paused and Marney took the opportunity to speak.

  “Of course, but we are not that sort of people, Mr. Gerrity is my relative, I have no intentions of distressing him,” her face was stern.

  “You’d be surprised how many caring relatives turn up here trying to prise money from their confused and ailing family members” she flared her nostrils.

  “I hope you’re not implying that we are here for that reason,” Lydia took a step forward.

  “I’m just advising you on how to conduct yourself.”

  “Well when you’ve finished imparting your advice, we’re waiting to see Mr. Gerrity,” Lydia held her stare.

  “Follow me,” she pushed open the door and led them into a huge room which was over-heated and stuffy. Decorated in keeping with the rest of the home, old leather sofas were positioned around the room. The tall ceiling, painted in a pale shade of green was elaborately adorned with carved flowers and leaves. A huge chandelier which swayed gently in the centre of the ceiling, threatened to drop on the unsuspecting residents at any moment. Following the nurse to a corner of the room, Marney recognised the elderly gentleman as they approached him. The striking resemblance to Dan Gerrity caused her heart to race. Facially she could have been looking at Dan as an old man.

  “Your visitors have arrived Mr. Gerrity,” she plumped up a cushion behind his back.

  “Stop fussing and leave me to talk to them,” he shuffled in his seat.

  “Please don’t tire him,” she spoke to Marney and Lydia as she left.

  Ignoring her parting words, Marney took a seat directly opposite Earnest as Lydia distanced herself and sat behind.

  “I’m Marney Stephens, and this is my sister Lydia Nevin,” she turned to look at Lydia.

  Earnest took a pair of spectacles from his breast pocket and perched them on the brim of his nose. Although his attire was somewhat old-fashioned, the quality was evident. He wore a tweed jacket, silk cravat and neatly pressed brown trousers. His highly polished black leather shoes peeped beneath the turn-ups on the hem of his trousers. Surprisingly, he had a good head of grey brown hair which was brushed to one side revealing a wrinkled brow. He possessed the same deep-set eyes and straight nose as Dan Gerrity. Glancing from Marney to Lydia, he eventually spoke.

  “Where’s the child?”

  “With our parents,” Marney replied.

  Earnest leaned forward and whispered, “I need to see her Marney.”

  “I was told not to bring her here.” Marney replied quietly.

  “Ignore the sour faced nurses; I’m paying to live in this prison. The child is my only living relative, I have a right to see her,” he leaned back in his seat and breathed deeply.

  Seeing his distress, Marney stood up and summoned one of the nurses.

  The bolshie nurse who had previously cautioned Lydia and Marney stepped forward.

  “I told you not to distress him,” she leaned forward and poured a glass of water.

  “I’m not distressed Laura, I’m feeling rather hot, it’s hot enough in here to cook a bloody chicken,” he loosened the collar of his shirt and removed his jacket. Nurse Kent handed the glass to him. After taking a few sips, he placed it on a side table and turned to Marney.

  “Bring me my wheelchair,” he pointed to the corner, “We should go into the garden and talk, the walls have ears,” he chuckled.

  Marney pushed the chair to where Earnest was sitting, and he swung his legs to one side and shuffled into the padded seat.

  “Right let’s go before the Matron comes back on duty,” he pointed to a set of double doors at the back of the room which opened out onto a veranda, the view from which was breath-taking. Neatly trimmed and edged lawns bordered by shrubs and co-ordinating flower beds spread out before them. The aroma from the flowers filled the air as butterflies swarmed over a lilac buddleia bush. Tables and chairs were arranged at intervals across the veranda, and Marney headed towards one of them.

  “This is beautiful Mr. Gerrity,” Marney scanned the view before her.

  “Earnest dear, please call me Earnest,” he tapped the seat by his side and Marney sat down.

  “And you dear, take a seat,” he beckoned to Lydia who was keeping a low profile.

  “Now we’re alone I can talk openly. I’m well looked after here, but myself and other residents are treated like children. Some of these nurses think we are all senile. I’m not naming names, but there are some members of staff who are aware of my financial status and tend to be over zealous in their intentions towards me. I suspect some of them thin
k I’m going to leave them a legacy in my will if they give me preferential treatment. I’m a rich man Marney and if my nephew is your child’s father, she will inherit it all.”

  “That’s very generous Mr. er Earnest,” Marney smiled. “But what about Ellen Gerrity’s brother, isn’t he entitled to inherit?” she asked hesitantly.

  “Tom Anderson? No, no my dear. He isn’t a blood relative. Even if he were, he wouldn’t get a penny from me,” his face was stern.

  Lydia shifted uncomfortably in her seat hoping the conversation would end. Earnest leaned forward to speak to Marney.

  “I need to see the child; I will know if she’s a Gerrity, but I will still insist on a Paternity test. After I have seen the child you will receive a letter informing you of the next stage.” As he finished speaking, a plump lady dressed in a dark grey suit and white shirt pushed open the door.

  “What are you doing out here Earnest,” she grabbed the handles of the wheelchair and pushed him back into the day-room.

  “I’m not a child, I can come and go as I please. Stop interfering in my life or I’ll be looking elsewhere for residential care.”

  “You know the rules earnest; they are there to protect you, not to restrict you. You have to sign the day-book if you go into the grounds, you know that.” She positioned his wheelchair beside a large sofa and applied the brakes.

  “Thank you for the savaging matron; you can leave us now.” Earnest turned his back on her.

  “Lunch will be served shortly; would your visitors care to join us?” she attempted to smile at Marney and Lydia, but it manifested as a grimace.

  “Thank you, but we have to be somewhere else,” Lydia spoke up.

  “I’ll take lunch in my room Matron, I’m feeling rather fatigued,” Earnest smiled.

  “Very well, I’ll take you,” she grasped the handles of the wheelchair.

  “My niece will do that,” he looked up at Marney who snatched the handles and wheeled Earnest out of the room as Lydia followed closely behind.