The Truth: sequel to I Will Find You

by Catherine Lambert

  “Just a minute Marney, how did you manage to call the police? Anderson smashed your phone to bits?”

  “I still have my old one in my bag for emergencies,” she smiled and turned the key in the ignition.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  Over the next few days, Lydia and Marney made their statements and were not implicated in Tom Anderson’s death. A post mortem concluded death by misadventure with no other person or persons involved. As Lydia replaced the land-line in the cradle, she dropped her shoulder and sighed deeply. With the killer of son gone forever, her life could begin again. No more looking over her shoulder or cringing every time her phone rang. Justice had truly been apportioned and her son could now rest in peace. As she made her way to the kitchen, Marney dashed down the stairs with her mobile phone in her hand.,

  “I’ve rearranged the meal for tomorrow tonight if that’s alright with you, I’m just speaking to them now.”

  “Of course,” she smiled.

  “Yes, that’s fine,” Marney pressed the call end button.

  In the kitchen Lydia took a seat at the table and Marney joined her.

  “The police have closed the case. Anderson’s death was by misadventure,” she looked up.

  “Is that it then? Can we get on with our lives now?” Marney sat up in her seat.

  “Yes sis, it’s all over.” Marney stood up and gave her sister a hug.

  “If you can let go of me, I need to pop up stairs,” Lydia wriggled free

  “O.K. I’m making shepherd’s pie for dinner; do you want some?”

  “Of course,” Lydia left the room.

  Marney tided the kitchen and wiped the surfaces before she chopped onions and leeks for her pie. Ten minutes later, Lydia appeared in the doorway with an expression on her face that she couldn’t make out.

  “Is there anything wrong sis?”

  “I don’t know,” she paused then added, “I’m pregnant.”

  “Oh my god,” Marney squealed and clasped a hand to her mouth

  “How did that happen?”

  “I’m sure you know how sis,” Lydia sat down followed by her sister.

  “I mean was it planned?”

  “Of course not, I just never thought about contraception,” she looked thoughtful

  “Does Jake know?”

  “Not yet, he’s got enough on his plate with Maria. He’ll be over later.”

  “It’s like an omen; Anderson’s gone and now you’re pregnant.”

  “It’s not an omen sis, it’s a mistake.” Lydia looked troubled

  “You’re not going to get rid of it, are you Lyds?” Marney’s expression changed.

  “Absolutely not; this is my last chance to have a child. I’m just uncertain how Jake will react, he already has one child to support,” she fiddled with her engagement ring.

  “He’ll be thrilled Lydia, I can’t wait to see his face.”

  “I hope you’re right sis,” Lydia stood up. “I’ve got some ironing to put away, I’ll look in on Heidi while I’m up-stairs.

  “O.K, I’ll carry on with my pie,” Marney went back to the kitchen.

  Placing a pile of knitwear in a drawer, Lydia’s mind wandered to Jake. She could never have imagined that their relationship would be re-kindled. The prospect of having another child had always been in her mind, but never did she think that Jake would be the father. Moving around the room as she hung skirts and blouses in the wardrobe, she placed the last pair of trousers on a hanger. As she left the room, Heidi’s cries caused her to look up. Pushing open the door, Lydia took the sobbing child in her arms and comforted her.

  “It’s O.K. Heidi, let’s go and find mummy,” she patted her back as she carried her down the stairs.

  The sister’s spent the rest of the day cleaning and cooking as Heidi played with her toys. Just before five o’clock, Jake called Lydia’s mobile.

  “Hi love, I’ll be round shortly. I’ve managed to sort things out with Maria at last. Are you O.K.?” he asked.

  “Yes, we’ll talk later,” she replied.

  “Is everything alright?” he detected a hint of despondency in her tone.

  “Of course, but I need to sort out the opening of the café and discuss our wedding, and your divorce. she replied.

  “That’s sorted, we’ve come to an agreement, I’ll tell you later. I shall have to go, see you soon,” he ended the call abruptly.

  “You’re not going to go back to the café, are you?” Marney was surprised.

  “I still have to make a living. I’m opening next week no matter what happens,” she sank down in a chair.

  “Lydia, I’ve got more than enough money for both of us,” she knelt by her side.

  “That’s yours and Heidi money, it’s nothing to do with me,” she replied firmly.

  “I can do what I want with it, and I’m giving you two hundred thousand as a wedding present.”

  “You can’t do that,” Lydia repeated.

  “There’s no point in arguing, I’ve already paid it in to your account, and if you try to give it back to me,” she faltered, then added “I won’t come to your wedding,” she stood up and folded her arms tightly across her chest.

  “I’ll have to see what Jake thinks,”

  “I still need my café sis, it’s part of me, and Jake.”

  “O.K., I understand,”

  “Are you going to get married before the baby comes?” Marney asked a question Lydia had given no thought to.

  “I don’t think we’ll have enough time, I’m almost two months,” Lydia frowned.

  “You weren’t showing much with Adam at five months,” her sister reminded her.

  “That’s true, we’ll have to see.”

  With no more talk of weddings and babies, Marney slid the casserole dish into the oven and scooped Heidi into her arms.

  “I’m going to bath her before Jake gets here. I’ve put the timer on for forty minutes. Can you put the steamer on in ten minutes time?” she turned to Lydia.

  “Yeah, ten minutes,” Lydia replied vaguely.

  As Marney left the room, Lydia allowed her mind to wander back to when Adam was born. He was a few weeks early, and slightly jaundiced, but he was beautiful. His features were more similar to Jake than herself and he slept for hours at a time. Considering how worried she had been about coping with a new born baby and little sleep, she was surprised at how well he slept. Still deep in thought, she jumped as her mobile rang in the silence. Jake’s name flashed across the screen and she snatched it from the table.

  “Hi Jake, are you on your way?”

  “A few minutes away, I’m just going to pick up a few bottles of wine. I’ll see you soon.”

  In the kitchen, Lydia turned the steamer on and checked the pie. Hoping Jake would arrive before Marney came downstairs, she was surprised to hear the front door bell ring. Rushing into the hall, she snatched open the door and threw her arms around Jake. He kissed her, then pulled away.

  “Let’s go into the kitchen, I need to check the pie and turn the steamer off.” Lydia took his hand.

  Placing the pie onto a stand, Lydia turned the cooker off and sat down opposite Jake.

  “Come on, let’s eat, Heidi’s hungry,” Marney said as she placed her in the high-chair.

  “She’s always hungry,” Lydia said as she stood up to get the plates and cutlery

  Marney placed the pie and vegetables on the tale.

  “Help yourself,” she smiled.

  “This is lovely Marney,” Jake nodded.

  “Thank you Jake,” she beamed.

  The meal continued in silence for a few minutes until Jake looked up at Lydia.

  “So, Anderson died, that was convenient,” he grinned.

  “The case is closed Jake, it’s all over.”

  “I know, now you can get on with your life with me.”

  When they had finished the meal, Lydia stood up and took the empty plates to the dishwasher. After rinsing them, she turned to stack them in the mach
ine as Jake placed the remains of the pie on the range. She turned to him and caught his stare.

  “Jake, I’ve got something to tell you,” her expression was serious.

  “You aren’t having second thoughts, are you?” he frowned.

  “No, nothing could be further from the truth. I’m pregnant Jake,” she finally got the words out.

  “What! How did that happen?” he asked regretting the words the minute they left his lips.

  “You’re as bad as Marney. I wasn’t on the pill. I haven’t been for a long time.”

  “I never expected this, but I’m pleased. It’s a new start for us, we’ll have to get married as soon as we can,”

  “We don’t have to, anyway your divorce will take months to come through,” she reminded him.

  “O.k. I can’t believe this, I never imagined we’d have another child together, it’s wonderful news.”

  “I thought you’d be unhappy with Olivia being so young,” she forced a smile.

  “Of course not, we’ll be a real family again. I’m thrilled,” he hugged her.

  “What are you thrilled about Jake?” Marney asked overhearing the conversation.

  “I take it he knows,” she glanced at Lydia.

  “Of course I do, I was just teasing,” Marney giggled.

  “Let’s go and sit down,” Lydia took Jake’s hand.

  “My divorce should be through in about four weeks so let’s plan the wedding for the end of August.”

  “O.K.” Lydia agreed feeling a rush of excitement pulse through her body.

  “I shall have to buy something really special to wear,” Marney sighed deeply.

  “I was hoping you and Heidi would be bridesmaids,” Lydia raised her eyebrows.

  “Of course, Heidi will love that, won’t you darling,” she put her daughter in the playpen.

  “I need to go out, Will wants to meet me, I don’t know why, but he says we won’t be long. Can you watch Heidi for me?” she cringed.

  “No problem.” Lydia replied with a smile.

  Ten minutes later, Marney popped her head around the lounge door.

  “I’m off now, won’t be long.”

  “Shall we have a glass of wine to celebrate?” Jake stood up.

  “I shouldn’t really, just a very small one for me love.”

  When he returned, Lydia was quiet, and Jake could tell by her expression that she was troubled.

  “What’s wrong Lydia?” he asked handing her the glass.

  “Sit down Jake, I need your advice about something.”

  “Something tells me I not going to like this,” he took a sip of wine.

  “I was discussing re-opening the café with Marney, I know she doesn’t want to come back. I was talking about making a living and she said she had enough money for both of us. She then said she had paid two hundred thousand pounds into my account. She has, I checked,” she paused and took a sip of wine.

  “That’s a lot of money. It’ll certainly pay for the wedding and if you want to, we could put the rest towards a new house,” he looked across the table at her.

  “So, you think it’s O.K. to take the money?” she was surprised by his nonchalant reply.

  “Why not, she probably doesn’t want you to carry on working, and she has always been a generous person,” he pointed out.

  “I suppose so, but it still doesn’t feel right Jake,” she grimaced.

  “She’ll feel bad if you refuse to keep it.”

  “You’re right, it does feel good to have so much money. Everything is going so well. I can’t help think something terrible is going to happen,” she was thoughtful.

  “You always were the pessimist Lyds.”

  “I am what I am,” she stood up.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  Half an hour later, Marney and Will came into the house. Lydia was sitting in the lounge with Jake as Heidi played on the carpet. Pushing open the lounge door, Marney burst into the room with a huge grin on her face.

  “Hello Will,” Lydia smiled at him

  Without giving him chance to reply Marney spoke again.

  “We’ve got something to say,” she was bursting to tell them.

  “O.K., we’re listening.” Jake replied.

  “Shall I tell them?” she turned to Will.

  “I don’t think I can get a word in,” he smiled.

  Without speaking, she held out her left-hand to show off her sapphire and diamond ring.

  “You’re engaged!” Lydia jumped to her feet.

  “Congratulations sis, I didn’t think anyone would ever marry you,” she joked as she hugged her.

  “Congratulations Will, I’m very happy for you both,” Jake shook his hand.

  “We’ve got champagne,” Will held up the bottle.

  “Let’s celebrate,” Jake nodded.

  “When are you planning to get married?” Jake asked.

  “Well, I was thinking we could make it a double wedding,” Marney looked at her sister.

  “What a good idea sis,” Lydia grinned and added, “but we’ll have to agree on the venue.”

  The rest of the day was spent planning the weddings. Lydia wanted a quiet affair, while Marney wanted a Castle and a horse and carriage. They agreed on ‘The Old Manor’ stately home ten miles from Becton. The Manor house were licenced to perform marriages and could cater for the guests’ requirements. The following week, the date was set for August 28th, and the invitations were sent. Jake was not looking forward to breaking the news to Maria, but she took it quite well. She was already involved with someone else and was happy to let him go. They both agreed that Jake could have access to Olivia whenever he wanted.

  Lydia regrettably agreed with Jake to sell the café as she would find it increasingly difficult to work as her pregnancy progressed. A young couple who had just moved to the area paid the asking price and were eager to adapt and extend the dining area. Lydia was pleased that they were enthusiastic and determined to make the café profitable. Marney and Will bought a four-bedroom detached house on the outskirts of Becton. The grounds were huge with a summer house and a double detached garage. Lydia and Jake sold their house and moved into a similar property within half a mile of Marney and Will.

  Lydia’s life was now happy, the dark cloud that had followed her since the death of her son had lifted and as she stood next to Jake at the altar, she knew her life could not be more perfect.

  At three thirty in the morning of February the eighteenth the following year, Lydia gave birth to a little boy. His name was Elliot Adam Nevin and he was a very loved and special little boy.

  THE END