David was about to step onto the tar seal when he realized he’d forgotten to pick up his shoes. He clipped Bruno’s leash to his collar and commanded him to stay.
Jogging across the sand, David scooped to pick up his sneakers. As he straightened, his glance spied something out at sea. His eyes squinted against the glare. David was sure he’d seen the tip of a whale’s tail. He tried to calculate the speed the huge mammal needed to propel its massive form above the water.
David’s mouth dropped open in awe as the sight unfolded before him. The whale rose triumphant, flinging its great weight in a display of magnificence. The explosion of water at its re-entry seemed like a symphony to David.
He looked around excitedly to see if anyone had shared the experience with him. There was no one else on the beach. David sunk to his knees.
Lord, I’m always so focused on what’s happening to me. Yet you hold the universe together.
He lifted his arms to the sky. His voice declared his alliance to God. “I will trust in you Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding; in all my ways I will acknowledge you.”
Moments passed as he soaked in the greatness of God. Bruno barked, prompting David to stand, dust the sand off his knees and head up the beach. He felt lighter, excited.
He could now see in his mind’s eye where he was going wrong with his design. His feet slipped into a comfortable jog as made his way home.
~~~
Jonathan rubbed his eyes and moved across the kitchen to flick on the jug. Taking a piece of bread he dropped it into the toaster. After he prepared his coffee he went back to get the boiled water and cursed as he poured cold water into his cup.
The electric jug had been unplugged.
Puzzled, he scratched his head. Tipping the coffee out he re-made his drink and settled on the deck with his breakfast.
He’d dreamed of Margaret last night and his hand touched his cheek as if she’d kissed him there.
He munched on his toast out of habit, not hunger. His hand flicked his hair back from his forehead and he sighed. What did his future hold? He seemed to have no purpose—nothing to get up for in the morning. He felt a niggling in his chest and rubbed absently at the spot.
What would he like to achieve before he died? There was nothing more he could do for Mia. As much as he wanted to make it right, it was now up to her.
But what about Polly? What stopped him from acknowledging her as his daughter? Was it only because of Margaret? Jonathan’s cheeks flushed and he sucked in a breath.
Polly was a pretty young girl and he’d been aware of her the whole time. Would she have been vulnerable to his abuse as well? Had he subconsciously kept his distance because he didn’t want to hurt her?
Jonathan stood and his bottom lip trembled. How could he make it up to her? He was her father and needed to provide for her. He’d tell Klara he’d take care of both her and Polly financially.
His lips set with determination and purpose. He’d call in to see Mia and tell her she had a sister. Polly deserved nothing less.
~~~
Jonathan walked with confidence up to Robert’s door and knocked. He’d started the wheels turning at the solicitors today and the trust documents would be ready to sign by the end of the week. It felt like he was finally doing something right.
The show of potted flowers at the door caught Jonathan’s attention. Robert took pride in his house and Jonathan swung around to see other plants gracing the step.
He’d been too self-absorbed to help Margaret with the gardens. Maybe Robert would give him a few pointers.
The door swung open and Robert greeted him.
“Nice plants you’ve got here, Rob. What are they?” Jonathan asked.
Robert’s gaze moved to the plants and then back to Jonathan. “You interested?” he queried.
“Wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t. Thought I might get into the garden and see if I can get anything to grow.”
“Azaleas. Hardy shrub, even you couldn’t kill it.” Robert grinned.
Jonathan felt he had a spring in his step and before he thought twice about it he hugged Robert.
Robert’s surprise made him laugh. “Is Mia home? I have something important I need to tell her.”
“Yes. Would you like a glass of lemonade? I’ve just poured some.”
“Thanks.” Jonathan pointed his finger at Robert. “You’re quite the domesticated man. I could take a leaf out of your book.”
“Some of us are slow learners, mate.” Robert mocked.
As they entered the room, Jonathan noticed Mia exchange a look with Terri. He’d hoped to talk to Mia on her own, but it seemed everyone was here. Terri stood and excused herself, explaining she had to go to work.
Jonathan sighed a breath of relief.
“Sit down, Jonathan.” Robert handed him a cold glass and Jonathan absently took a sip.
Mia had not said a word. Her unswerving glance locked with his. Placing his glass carefully on the table he sat up straight.
“I don’t want to intrude and act like it’s normal for me to call around and see you, Mia. I know you find this uncomfortable and I’m sorry.”
“Why did you tell Alex Redding you sexually abused me? Surely it was my decision whether I wanted to press charges against you. Do you know how embarrassed I was when they asked me? Do you?” Mia seethed.
“I’m sorry.” Jonathan replied gently. “It just came out. I hadn’t planned to tell them, but it seemed the right thing to do at the time.”
“Who else have you told in your need to clear the slate with confession?” she demanded.
“No one, I swear.” Jonathan glanced at Robert and saw the disapproving frown above his eyes.
“Dad, I need to be the one telling people if I choose to—not you.”
“I understand. I’m sorry.” He held up his hands to indicate his mistake.
Mia looked away and sipped her drink.
Jonathan felt slightly irritated himself. He needed to keep focused and do what he’d come here to do. Sitting forward, he rested his hands on his knees and blurted out. “Mia, I need to tell you one more thing.”
Mia sprung to her feet. “What more could there be?” She spun away from him. “You told me you cheated on Mum with her best friend—for years. You hurt me over and over again—what more could there be?”
“Maybe now’s not the right time, Jonathan,” Robert interrupted in a quiet voice.
Jonathan’s eyes pleaded. With a slight inclination of his head he acknowledged Robert.
“Mia, Polly Duncan is my daughter—she’s your sister.”
Chapter 44
Growing up as an only child had taught Mia to entertain herself. Her hands moved busily as they wiped the window. She absently sprayed more window cleaner and used the paper towel to bring the window to a satisfying sparkle.
Her hand stopped in mid motion, Polly was her half sister, unbelievable, so hard to absorb.
She’d always wanted a sibling. Someone to love, someone who needed her. Her expression softened with pleasure as she realized she’d always loved Polly.
Mia’s hand went to her pocket as her mobile phone went off.
“Mia, don’t hang up—please,” Klara pleaded.
Mia’s hand tightened on the phone. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t,” her voice hardened.
“I’m driving back to Blue Bay with Polly. We’ve stopped to get food and Polly’s inside the café. I had to get away, Mia. I felt so ashamed when the police questioned me about my relationship with Jonathan. I thought how disappointed everyone would be with me and I couldn’t take it. I’m sorry.” Klara’s voice shook and Mia frowned.
“I trusted you. You must have been laughing at how gullible I was,” Mia snapped. “You need to go to the police, they have questions for you.”
“It’s not me who wrote those notes, you have to believe me. I would never hurt you. You’re like a daughter to me.”
Mia licked her lips
; her emotions were all over the place. She felt confused, angry, ready to hang up. “Dad told me Polly’s his daughter. He wants to do right by her.”
“Does he? She’s your sister, but she’ll need time to adjust to the idea of Jonathan being her father. I didn’t kill Maggie. She was my sister in every way except blood.”
“I don’t believe that, it’s just not true. Sisters don’t betray each other the way you did my mum. She trusted you. She shared everything with you, her joys and sorrows. You lied to her over and over again.”
“Maggie knew I was with Jonathan. We shared everything.” Klara spoke softly.
Mia’s heart twisted. Surely not? Her poor, poor mother. The possibility burned into her brain.
“You’re lying—” Mia began.
“I’m not and I can prove it. Maggie wrote me a letter once about the way things were between the three of us. She accepted it, loved us both.”
Mia sunk to her knees and gasped.
“I have to go. Polly’s coming. I’ll call you when we get home.”
~~~
Judy glanced at her watch to check the time. She surveyed the steaming casserole dish sitting in the middle of the candle lit table. The table was set for one. A single red rose rested across the white dinner plate. An opened bottle of red wine waited. Her head turned as she heard the car and she silently slipped out of the room.
~~~
Jonathan stopped and inhaled deeply. The aroma of sweetly cooked lamb rose up his nostrils. He knew that smell. Margaret had cooked her rosemary lamb casserole often.
He must be imagining it. As he shrugged out of his jacket he became aware of beautiful string music playing.
Jonathan moved into the lounge and frowned at how tidy it appeared. Candles flickered gently and he spun around. “Hello. Who’s there?”
He moved through to the dining room and saw the table. He lifted the lid off the casserole and sniffed. His stomach responded to the alluring scent and rumbled.
Looking up he whispered. “Margaret?”
Shaking his head Jonathan frowned and went into the kitchen expecting to see someone there. He turned and sprinted up the stairs calling out. “Mia? Are you here?”
His voice echoed and bounced back to him. Fear shivered down his spine. Had he imagined it all?
Retracing his steps, he entered the dining room. Who could have entered his house, cooked Margaret’s favorite recipe and then left? Jonathan blew out the candle and moved into the lounge to extinguish the candles there.
He picked up the phone to call Robert and realized there was no dial tone.
“Hello, Jonathan.”
Jonathan’s skin crawled at the sound of her voice. His eyes widened as he spun around.
Judy held a gun loosely in her hand. She waved it towards the table. “Sit down, darling. I’ve cooked for you.”
Moving carefully across the room Jonathan sat at the table. He eyed the gun, then searched her face. “What’s this all about, Judy?”
“Fill your plate. You must be hungry after a long day.”
Jonathan gestured for Judy to take a seat. “Let me get you a plate and then we can eat together. I’ll get another glass.” He pushed up from the table.
Judy screamed at him to sit down. She held the gun with two hands and Jonathan’s jaw tightened.
“All right. All right. Just relax, won’t you?” He dropped to his seat.
“Eat,” she demanded.
Jonathan spooned some of the casserole onto his plate and lifted his fork.
“More, darling, take some more. I know you’ll like it.” Jonathan did as she suggested and slowly began to eat. It felt like the food was catching in his throat and he swallowed carefully. He needed to stay calm.
As he looked up he saw Judy as if for the first time. His gaze took in her desperate eyes and his heart broke.
“Judy—or would you prefer I call you Klara?” He smiled and saluted her with his glass.
“My name’s Judy,” she shouted.
“Judy. Delicious lamb. Thank you.” Jonathan decided to act like there wasn’t a gun present. “I’ve set up a trust fund for Polly, she can access it once she turns twenty. I want to look after you both financially.” Jonathan took another mouthful and chewed slowly.
“I don’t want your money. I wanted you. I loved you. I thought you were the only one who really knew me. What’s changed? Why did you stop loving me?” Judy demanded.
His eyebrows drew together and he looked down. “When Maggie died, everything—”
“Jonathan, this is not about Margaret, it’s about us. I’ve spent all my life running after you. Loving you, wanting to be a family with you. What a fool I was,” Judy sneered.
Jonathan wiped his mouth as he slowly got to his feet.
“Had enough already, darling? Too much garlic for your liking? Or should I say arsenic?” Judy laughed gleefully.
Jonathan’s hand went to his throat. “You’re kidding, of course?” His chest constricted as he gulped in some air.
“Come, Jonathan, don’t be so dramatic. You’ve been slowly taking arsenic every time you made yourself an instant coffee for the last few weeks. Haven’t you tasted the alluring flavor? I wasn’t sure whether or not I’d use arsenic to complete the job, but Mummy said it was a good idea. I hear red wine helps dilute it, would you like me to pour you a glass?” Judy licked her lips suggestively and smiled. “I pity you, Jonathan. I hear it’s an agonizingly painful way to die.”
Jonathan glanced at the gun. His heart pounded and sweat formed on his forehead and upper lip. Oh Lord, not yet, please. How can I make her understand the path we walked down, the path I led her down was wrong? Forgive me, Jesus. Help me get through to her.
Time stood still and his fear dissolved into concern as his gaze searched her face.
“Judy, it’s okay. We can work this out.” He moved around the table to her. His hand gently reached out to cup her cheek.
Judy’s eyes widened. She jumped back, lifted and aimed the gun at him.
“Darling, I’ve worked it all out. We’ll be together forever.” She flashed a triumphant smile and pulled the trigger.
Jonathon lifted a hand in protest as the bullet slammed into his chest. He gasped and staggered back. Blood seeped through his shirt and his fingers spanned and pressed the wound.
His head lifted and his eyes captured Judy’s.
Jonathan slipped to the ground as Judy lunged for him.
He felt like he’d been hit in the chest by a baseball bat. His body felt cold as if his blood had been drained and replaced with ice.
Judy sobbed and brushed his face with kisses. She murmured something and he tried to listen. “I will be with you soon, darling—”
As Jonathan closed his eyes he was overwhelmed with regret. There was so much more he wanted to do.
He tried to speak, he needed to tell her about Jesus—loving her—forgiving—her, but the words locked in his throat and he gasped.
His eyes rolled and his head moved slightly to the side. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.
Chapter 45
Mia surfaced from sleep with an ache behind her eyes. She rolled over and groaned softly. Her body felt heavy, weighted down.
Lord, how can I forgive my father again and again. I say the words but I don’t feel them.
Mia sighed and shuffled under the blanket. She didn’t want to get up, face the day.
It’s more than the things he’s done, Lord—when I look at him I feel like I’m nothing. Her eyebrows creased together and she moved up the bed until her head rested on the headboard.
Her hand moved the pillow to support her back and she closed her eyes. I want to shout at him to make him see me.
I see you. I loved you before you knew me, I laid down my life for you.
Mia’s eyes snapped open. God loved her before she knew him. He saw her, loved her, forgave her. Would she lay down her life for her father?
Mia cringed. She felt a small shift in her
spirit. She needed to lay aside every debt her father owed her. Her loss of innocence, her lost childhood, her lack of confidence, her fear of love, years without her sister. She needed to reject the thoughts that made her bitter, angry—invisible.
Lord Jesus, I need a clear path, one swept clean—forgive me for believing the lie that I’m invisible. You see me with all my faults and love me. Forgive me for blaming Dad for my insecurities. Only you can satisfy my deepest needs.
Mia pulled her knees to her chest. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
If anyone had ever told her you could smell love she would have laughed at them. But the air around her seemed to have an aroma of earth after the rain.
Lord Jesus, I’ve been afraid of getting close to David, I’ve believed that as he gets to know me I will become invisible to him.
Mia’s hand covered her mouth as a sob escaped. Every time she felt dissatisfied with life she’d blamed her father. She used what he’d done as a crutch to hang on to, instead of going to God for help. She’d allowed bitterness to defile her thinking, control her.
Mia wiped at her face and sniffed. She couldn’t allow what happened so many years ago define who she was now and destroy her future.
Lord, I’m bigger than that, smarter, stronger.
Mia gave a watery grin, swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood. She’d phone David and tell him about Klara’s call.
Warmth spread through her as she imagined a future with David.
First she’d call her father. Arms stretched high, Mia jumped in excitement, her headache forgotten.
“I have a sister.”
~~~
Judy pressed the button and listened to Mia’s voice on the answering machine.
“Hi, Dad. I’m proud of you. It can’t have been easy for you the last few weeks owning up to everything—but I know you’re trying to put things right. Klara called and told me about a letter Mum wrote to her. She said Mum knew about your relationship. I believe her and want to catch up with you to discuss it. I’m rambling now. I’ll call you later.”
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