Outside the police station, Lydia asked.
“What’s wrong sis?”
“What’s wrong? He thinks I killed Guy Phillips deliberately because his cousin raped me. But there’s no evidence. He didn’t believe me Lydia, it was horrible.”
“Why didn’t he want to speak to me Marney?”
“I don’t know sis; he knew it was an accidental death, but because of my connection with Ewan Phillips, he was suspicious.” Turning to face her sister, she spoke.
“I think it would be best if you did sell the café. I don’t think I want to step foot inside there again.” Without waiting for a response, she quickly secured Heidi into her seat and opened the passenger door, as her sister looked on open-mouthed. As Lydia drove home in silence, Jake’s plane was due to land, and Tom Anderson was preparing for his first day working in the community.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
“Are you serious Marney?” Lydia sat hunched in the driver’s seat.
“There are too many bad memories sis, not just for me, but for you too.”
“There are plenty of happy memories too Marney,” she glanced in the mirror at her sister’s serious expression.
“It’s time we moved on,” Marney turned away and stared out of the window bringing an end to the discussion.
Remaining silent, but determined to continue the conversation, Lydia turned the key in the ignition and drove home where the silence continued as Marney dashed up the stairs with Heidi asleep in her arms. A few minutes later, she appeared in the kitchen doorway where Lydia was making a pot of tea.
“Would you like one sis?” she asked.
“Please,” Marney took a seat at the table.
Approaching the table with a tray, Lydia looked across at her sister.
“We need to talk,” she said quietly.
“There’s nothing to say Lyds, I’m not coming back to the café,” she poured the tea.
“You’ll soon forget about what happened in there,” Lydia smiled at her sister’s tense expression.
“I need to make a fresh start sis. What I’ve been through has been so hard, and if I return to the café, the memories will come flooding back.”
“Is there anything I can say to change your mind Marney?”
“I’m sorry Lyds; no.”
Realising it was futile to continue, Lydia steered the conversation towards Marney’s forthcoming date with Will Barrett.
“Are you still going to see Will this weekend?” she asked.
“I’d forgotten all about that, and I did say we’d go away this week-end. I’ll give it a miss. I’m not in the mood.” she replied vaguely.
“That’s not like you.”
“I know, but with so much going on, it wasn’t uppermost in my mind,” she smiled and added.
“I think I’ll buy something new. I’ve seen a lovely dress in town, I’ll pop down in the morning,” her mood lifted at the prospect of a new outfit.
“You haven’t forgotten about going to mums for tea tonight, have you?” Lydia asked.
“Yes I had; do you think we should tell her about Guy Phillips?” Marney looked anxious.
“Yeah I suppose so. It’ll be in all the newspapers anyway,” Lydia cringed.
“Jake should be back tonight; I think I’ll phone mum and tell her we can’t make it,” Lydia looked thoughtful as she sipped her tea.
“I don’t feel like going anyway,” Marney agreed.
“It’ll be easier to explain what happened in the café over the phone,” Lydia stood up, took her mobile from her handbag and punched in the number. After a long and awkward conversation with her mother, Lydia breathed a sigh of relief and sank down into a chair.
“What did she say?” Marney leaned forward.
“She was horrified, and a bit over the top.”
“Nothing unusual then,” Marney smiled.
The conversation came to a halt as Lydia’s phone rang. Picking it up, Jakes’ name flashed across the screen and Lydia snatched it from the table.
“Jake, where are you?” she asked excitedly.
“I’m just leaving the airport; I’ll be back in about two hours. Can I come to see you?” he asked.
“Of course; I’ve got lots to tell you,” she replied.
“Me too; I’ll see you soon,” the call ended.
“That was Jake,” Lydia looked across at Marney.
“I know,” Marney smiled.
Lydia stood up.
“I’m going to clean the kitchen and then take a shower, Jake will be here in a couple of hours,” she glanced at the clock.
“O.K. Lyds, I’ll go and see if Heidi is awake,” she stood up and headed towards the stairs. Her mind was still preoccupied with thoughts of Guy Phillips. Although she knew she wasn’t directly responsible for his death, it did little to appease her feelings of guilt. At a time when she should have been at peace with the knowledge of Heidi’s true father, she was consumed with remorse. Her mind kept replaying the events that led up to his death, and how she could have reacted differently. Should she have let him go when he pleaded with her? Without his phone, there was no evidence to link Lydia to Dan Gerrity’s accidental death. He was a sad human being whose only aim in life was to provide enough money to feed his drug addiction. Perhaps he was better off out of the vicious circle that forced him to turn to crime. Attempting to banish Guy Phillip’s face from her mind, she pushed open the bedroom door and leaned over Heidi’s cot where she was still fast asleep with her head turned to one side. Marney smiled in the knowledge that her daughter would have a privileged upbringing from the proceeds of her uncle and father’s wealth. Leaving the room, Marney made her way back down the stairs, where she almost collided with Lydia, who was dashing up two steps at a time.
“Sorry sis,” she mumbled without looking back. “I’m going to jump in the shower,” she disappeared through her bedroom door. Marney hoped that Lydia could find happiness again with Jake although she wasn’t sure that he could be trusted. If Jake did betray her though, Lydia would make sure he paid the price, and Marney did not want to be there if it happened.
Her thoughts now drifted towards Will Barrett and their forthcoming date. Will was handsome and easy to talk to, but not the usual man she would normally be attracted to. Perhaps this was why most of her relationships failed. Looking back over the past, the most of her boyfriends were either married, or incapable of sustaining a meaningful relationship. Maybe this time it would be different.
An hour later, Lydia appeared in the lounge doorway. She was dressed in a knee-length black skirt and a tight-fitting red top. Her short hair was lightly curled, and she wore a minimal amount of eye shadow and foundation.
“Wow! You look stunning sis,” Marney smiled.
“Do you think so?” Lydia smoothed her skirt and ran her fingers through her cropped hair.
“Absolutely, Jake will be impressed.”
“I hope so. Oh, Heidi is awake, but she’s not crying.”
“O.K., I’ll go and get her.”
Leaving Lydia to admire her reflection in the hall mirror, Marney dashed upstairs to Heidi’s room. After changing her nappy, she came back down to the kitchen where Lydia was preparing the evening meal.
“I’m making lasagne, do you and Heidi want some?” she asked as she chopped onions.
“Please, but no onions for Heidi, they make her trump.”
“I can do her something else if you like,” Lydia smirked.
“No thanks, I’ll just pick the onions out.”
“I couldn’t get Adam to eat anything other than sausages and fish fingers.”
“I suppose I’m lucky, she eats everything I put in front of her,” Marney smiled at her daughter.
“Can I help?” Marney asked.
“You can lay the table, and put the white tablecloth on, if you don’t mind,” Lydia replied as she began to fry the onions and meat.
Half an hour later, with the lasagne in the oven, Jake pressed the front door bel
l.
“He’s here,” Lydia looked up, and took her apron off.
Before opening the front door, Lydia glanced in the mirror and smiled. When the door opened, the overhead light silhouetted Jakes face. He looked tanned and handsome and she resisted the urge to throw her arms around him.
“Aren’t you going to ask me in”?
“Sorry Jake,” she stood aside to allow him to enter. As he stepped into the hallway he placed his hands on her waist and drew her close to him. His lips were warm and soft, and she was aroused by his touch. Pulling away, Lydia led him into the lounge and through to the kitchen where Marney was placing cutlery on the table.
“Hi Jake, did you have a nice trip?” she asked kissing his cheek.
“Nice is not a word I can use to describe my visit to the in-laws, and soon to be estranged wife,” he scoffed.
“Oh, was it that bad?” Lydia tried to stifle a grin.
“Worse than that,” he sat down at the table.
“I’m just going to change Heidi’s clothes, she’s been sick,” Marney scooped her into her arms and took her upstairs.
While she was out of the room, Jake took the opportunity to speak to Lydia.
“I’ve got something for you,” he placed his hand in his jacket pocket, and took out a small gift-wrapped box. Wiping her hands on her apron, she turned to face him.
What is it?” he placed in in the palm of her hand.
“Open it and see,” he teased.
Slowly removing the red paper, she revealed a small box. With slow deliberation, she opened the lid and gasped at the diamond ring nestled on red velvet.
“Oh Jake, it’s beautiful,” she took it from the box.
“Let me,” he took the ring from her hand and slid on her third finger of her left hand and went down on one knee.
“Lydia, will you marry me again?” he asked.
“Of course, yes, yes,” she cried.
He rose to his feet and kissed her, as Marney came back into the room.
“What are you two up to the moment I leave the room?”
“Look,” Lydia held out her hand.
“Oh my god, you’re engaged Lyds,” she cupped her hands to her mouth as she spoke.
“When are you getting married? She clapped her hands in delight.
“I’m not divorced yet Marney,” Jake took a seat and looked despondent.
“You are going to get divorced, aren’t you Jake?” Marney sat beside him.
“Of course I am,” he snapped, causing Marney to shrink away.
“I’m sorry Marney, I didn’t mean to be so sharp,” he apologised when he saw the shocked expression on her face.
“I’ve had a rotten few days with Maria, and then the flight was delayed. I need a good night’s sleep,” he smiled.
“It’s O.K., but I don’t think Lydia’s expecting to be doing a lot of sleeping,” she smirked.
“Marney, don’t be so personal,” Lydia called from the kitchen.
“Come and give me a hand, I’m ready to serve,” she added.
A few minutes later, Lydia and Marney placed the serving dishes and plates on the table.
“That looks good Lyds,” Jake remarked as he scoped a large serving of lasagne onto his plate.
“Thank you,” she smiled proudly.
“You always were a good cook,” he looked up at her.
“All Maria could serve up was salad with oily meat or fish,” he grimaced.
Placing a small amount of vegetables and lasagne in Heidi’s bowl, Marney searched through the food for any unwanted onions.
“They make her trump,” Lydia remarked as he looked on.
“Oh, I see, I’ll open the wine.”
After a few minutes of silence Marney spoke.
“I’ve got some good news Jake,” she looked across the table at him.
“O.K, tell me.”
“We’ve had the results of the Paternity test, and Dan is Heid’s father,” she replied proudly.
“That’s great news Marney. So, she’s going to be very rich in the future?” he raised his eyebrows.
“We don’t know all the details yet, but there are also a few properties,” Marney was guarded.
“How rich is this old guy?”
“He’s named Earnest, and he’s Heidi’s Uncle, her only living relative,” she replied haughtily.
“That’s not true sis,” Lydia sat upright in her seat. “I’m her aunty, and mum and dad are her grandparent’s, and there are cousins, and Jake,” she corrected her.
“I meant on her father’s side of the family.”
“Don’t let’s argue, I’ve had enough of that from Maria’s family, Jake took a sip of wine.
“We’ve also got some bad news,” Marney looked across the table at Lydia.
“Shall I tell him?” she added.
“If you like,” Lydia avoided Jake’s stare.
“Well, it’s not very nice, and you’ll probably read about it in the papers, or online. So, we want you to know the truth,” she began,
“This doesn’t sound very good,” his expression changed.
“It’s not,” Lydia muttered avoiding Jake’s harsh glare.
“We were in the café, it wasn’t open we just went to collect the post and make sure everything was alright. Heidi was with us,” she began.
“Oh, get to the point Marney,” Lydia replied impatiently.
“I will, if you’ll let me. As I was saying, we were in the café. Someone was outside looking in at us. I went to the door and this man pushed his way in. He demanded money- two thousand pound- and threatened to hurt Heidi,” she paused.
“He sent me a letter, and he had photographs of me on his phone taken at the Trans-star warehouse where Dan Gerrity died,” Lydia interrupted.
“What?” Jake dropped his fork and glared at Lydia.
“He said he would go to the police if we didn’t give him the money,” Lydia spoke softly.
“Are you serious?” Jake’s mouth dropped open wide.
“Of course I am. Why would I make it up? I managed to hide a knife in my bag, just a cutlery knife, it wasn’t very sharp. He lunged at Marney and I threatened him with the knife. He snatched it from me and pushed Marney out of the way. She fell and grabbed his jacket to break her fall. They both ended up on the floor and the knife in his stomach,” Lydia paused and took a sip of wine.
“Is he dead?” Jake asked.
“He died in hospital.”
“Oh my God Lydia, what about the photograph’s?”
“We smashed the phone it to pieces, and Lydia deep-fried the SIM card,” Marney spoke up.
“What? I’m really confused Lydia, when did this happen?” Jake looked from one sister to the other.
“A few days ago,” Marney replied.
“No, when did the phone get deep fried?”
“It was just the SIM card. I smashed the phone with my heel. Those shoes are ruined,” Marney complained, and added.
“They were Jimmy Choo; do you know how much they cost me?”
“You can buy a dozen new pairs sis,” Lydia smiled.
“Where is it now?” he asked impatiently.
“Where’s what?” Marney asked.
“The deep-fried SIM
Lydia stood up and picked up her handbag. From it, she took her purse and opened it.
“There,” she dropped it on the table.
Jake burst into laughter.
“That’s incredible Lyds.”
“This isn’t funny Jake. The police accused me of killing Guy Phillips,” Marney informed him.
“Guy Phillips? Isn’t he the one who,”
Marney interrupted him before he could finish his question.
“No, that was Ewan Phillips, Guy’s cousin,” she replied solemnly.
Jake shook his head.
“I can’t believe I’m hearing this.”
“So, this Guy Phillips must have known the café belonged to you?” he raised his eyebrows at Lydia
“Well yes, I suppose so,” she hesitated, then added, “but we didn’t tell the police that.”
“It doesn’t really matter now Jake. The police have closed the case even though they don’t believe what Marney told them. The Coroner has said his death was accidental.”
“So that’s it?” Jake held his hands up.
“We hope so,” Marney muttered.
“Except that Marney refuses to work in the café anymore,” Lydia replied spitefully.
“I’m not surprised love,” he smiled at her.
“I can’t run the café without her,” the conversation continued as if Marney was not present.
“I’m sur you’ll sort something out,” Jake attempted to reassure her.
“My only option is to sell up. I’ve had an appraisal from the estate agent and someone is interested in buying.”
Marney looked up.
“You didn’t tell me?” she replied frostily.
“I know, but there’s been so much going on, it just slipped my mind.”
“So, are you selling or not?” Marney persisted.
***************************************
As Lydia and Marney continued to squabble and procrastinate over their future, Tom Anderson was preparing to begin his work in the community on the forthcoming Monday morning. He had spent the previous two weeks completing assessments and attending suitability courses. It had been decided that he would be allocated clerical work in an office. His duties would include supplying equipment from the stores to various offices in a Local Council Department. It was menial work, but a vast improvement from the mundane existence in an open prison. He was instructed to attend roll-call at seven thirty on Monday morning after which, he would travel on a prison bus to his place of work. He was entitled to a lunch break of one hour, plus two fifteen-minute breaks during the working day. Should he attempt to abscond, on his recapture he would be transported back to prison to serve the remainder of his original sentence. Regardless to this daunting consequence, he had decided he could not wait to see Lydia on his release. He planned to make an unscheduled visit.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Marney glared at her sister prompting her to answer.
The Truth: sequel to I Will Find You Page 18
