by S M Mala
‘Eloise’s dress,’ he gasped, carefully picking it up and examining the beautiful yellow garment in a plastic bag, then seeing all the bits and bobs Hatty had collected.
‘She tried to find ever little trace of her mother so she could have a keepsake,’ said Louisa, walking slowly in and sitting on a chair. ‘The most beautiful one was the diamond necklace around her neck.’ Then the young woman started to sob. ‘I miss her so Murray, I miss her so much. I can’t cope without her. Every day I stay on this island, it breaks my heart. I keep expecting her to ride towards me on her bike, excited about one thing or another, but she’s not here.’ As Louisa cried Murray stood up and put his hand gently on her shoulder. ‘What am I going to do?’
‘Louisa?’ he said quietly, looking at her tearstained face. ‘Would you like to escort me to a wedding?’
‘I see,’ said Delores as Murray ate his dinner. ‘You don’t want me to come?’
‘You don’t like my son, my son loathes you, so what’s the point?’ he replied and she could have easily thrown something at him.
‘Maybe if we go away together, away from the island things might change.’
‘I’m not changing my mind,’ he said and she noticed his firm tone, which she’d barely heard before. ‘I’ve not been happy for some time and I think whatever we had is gone.’
‘You mean you don’t need me now because Hatty’s dead, don’t you?’ she said calmly, trying to soften her tone. ‘I think maybe you need to speak to someone professional about what you’re feeling, so they can make sense of-.’
‘I’m the only person who can make sense of it and I’m coping fine,’ he replied, flinging his fork onto the plate and staring at her. ‘I like your company, I always have. If you find someone else I’ll be-.’
‘Happy for me?’ she said unable to hide the scorn in her voice.
‘You’re a sexually charged woman, I know you have needs and-.’
‘We could always have sex without the emotions,’ she said, longing for him.
Since his illness, Hatty’s death and following medical advice, he was looking fit and well, even sexier than she had seen him in the past five years. Her desire for him was growing. She wondered whether that was down to the fact his was diminishing for her.
‘You’ll read something into it.’ Murray stood up and smiled at her. ‘You know Delores, you’re a beautiful woman and if you moved back to the States, you might find a man who can treat you well.’
‘As opposed to a man who treated me badly after he’d got what he wanted?’ she replied and stood up smiling. ‘I never realised how much of a bastard you were until now.’
‘Then that’s even more reason to move off the estate and get another home. Tell me where you want me to build it and it’s done.’
‘I want to move into the old house,’ Delores said and watched his face freeze. ‘No one’s living there and-.’
‘No,’ he said bluntly. ‘It’s Hatty’s house and shall remain so until they pronounce her legally dead.’
‘Only seven years to go then,’ she laughed, seeing he was getting wound up.
‘Didn’t you care for her at all? How could you be so callous?’ he shouted and she watched his fists clench.
‘How could you?’
She marched out of the house and across the grounds into her own home, slamming shut the door before crying. It was anger making her feel like this and she knew her nerves were on edge. Every day she’d remember a little bit more about the day of the hurricane and she was now certain she had seen Hatty.
Delores walked into Hatty’s room. She hadn’t touched it for months and dust had settled. Angrily, she looked at it. All Hatty’s work and personal things. She took each item down and threw it on the bed, not caring if she broke anything before going into her wardrobe and pulling out all the clothes. As she went around the room, Delores began to see there was nothing private or any personal belonging of Hatty’s. She wondered if she ever knew the child at all.
Half an hour later, she flung open her door and piled the dustbin bags of clothes outside before heaping up the frames. Then she noticed Murray storming across the grounds.
‘What are you doing?’ he shouted and she noticed Monica poke her head out of the kitchen.
‘Tidying up before I move,’ she replied flippantly. ‘And first things first, I have to clear out Hatty’s room.’
‘You can’t throw her things out,’ he said and she noticed he was getting upset. ‘Delores this is insane!’
‘What’s insane is pining for someone who’s dead. Life has to move on.’
‘Miss Delores, please not trow ‘er ting’s out!’ cried Monica, running towards her. ‘It not right.’
‘You take them!’ she barked angrily back.
‘Help me Monica,’ said Murray and flashed Delores a look of such hate, she momentarily took a deep breath. Monica grabbed the dresses as Murray picked up as many items as he can. ‘And don’t you dare destroy anything else, okay?’
‘How could I?’ she said, trying not to cry, mumbling. ‘Hatty’s destroyed enough as it is.’
He put all Hatty’s things into the spare room as Monica hung up the dresses, still crying her eyes out on seeing the things.
‘Thank you Monica,’ Murray said. ‘Please take anything you want from here.’
‘May me have a frame?’ she said tentatively. ‘Hatty never got round to making me one. She said she do it for me weddin’.’
The woman let out a little sob.
‘Take anything. I know you’ll look after it,’ he said wearily and sank onto the bed. ‘I’ll keep her things safe with me until the day I die.’
At that moment, he looked across towards the house feeling a sense of hate towards Delores he’d never experienced before. His mind raced on how he was going to get rid of her then suddenly something hit him so hard in the chest.
If Delores left, he’d have lost the very last trace of Hatty.
For the first time in years, he felt petrified at the thought of losing someone again.
Thirty nine
‘Jake,’ Pete said gently as they waited in the bar. ‘Are you sure you’re doing the right thing? People don’t have to get married nowadays and certainly not you.’
‘I’m doing the right thing,’ he replied, sipping his scotch on the rocks.
‘Look,’ said his best friend, pushing his hand through his hair. ‘I think the world of you man, you know that.’
‘I got you a job at ‘The Times’, of course you do,’ he smiled and knew what was coming next.
‘It’s too soon.’
‘She’s carrying my child.’
‘You’re too young.’
‘I know what I’m doing.’
‘Jake, I don’t think you do,’ he said quietly and stared into his eyes. ‘I don’t want to see you throw your life away. I know you’re hurting, we can all see it and especially Serena. Be involved in the life of your child but don’t think this is going to help heal you, as it won’t.’
‘Harriet Harris committed suicide knowing how much it would hurt me. I don’t give a shit about her now. I wish I never met her and I’m pleased she’s dead. I love Serena and I want to be with her, if you don’t like it then don’t come to the wedding,’ he sharply replied, knowing he’d hurt his friend immediately with the words. ‘Sorry, I know you’re thinking of me but don’t. If I fuck it up, I fuck it up but stop mentioning her. She’s dead and I’m living, that’s how different our lives are.’
Murray had heard his son’s words as he stood to the side and held his breath. It killed him to know he was throwing his life away. And even more concerned he was making the same mistakes as he had done as a young man. The grief Murray was dealing with was overwhelming. Flying to New York was painful as he didn’t want to leave the island, hoping they’d find her body, hoping he could bury her alongside with her mother.
Lay Hatty to rest.
Pete spotted him first as he put his finger to his lips and
walked away.
‘Murray,’ he heard someone call. Louisa was standing in the hotel corridor looking very pretty in purple. ‘We’ve been looking for you.’
Frederick and Elena were sitting down drinking coffee in the other lounge. The wedding was taking place in one of the rooms and people were filtering through. Murray slumped into the chair next to his friend.
‘He’s making a big mistake,’ said Murray, shaking his head from side to side. ‘And he’s so angry.’
‘You can’t live his life for him,’ said Frederick as Elena gently squeezed Murray’s arm.
‘On her birthday,’ he gulped seeing Louisa’s face scrunch up as she started to cry. ‘Sorry.’
‘It’s like he’s forgotten about her. Five months ago, it was only five months and he acts as if he’s forgotten,’ sobbed Louisa. Her mother held her. ‘I want to be happy for him but I can’t. I miss Hatty so much.’
‘We have to put on a good show and let him see we’re happy for him,’ Elena gently said. ‘He’s going to be a father and that’s a lot of responsibility.’
‘Oh god,’ Murray said and roughly rubbed his clean shaven face. ‘What can I do?’
‘Let him do what he has to do and make sure you’re there to pick up the pieces,’ said Frederick, standing up quickly. ‘I need something stronger than coffee. Let me buy you a soft drink.’
‘I’m perfectly well,’ said Murray. ‘My consultant said I can drink in moderation. I’ve stopped smoking so what else is there?’
‘Delores is looking after you well,’ smiled Elena as Murray noticed Louisa’s frown.
‘It’s as if she’s happy Hatty’s dead,’ muttered Louisa quietly.
‘It’s her way of coping,’ Murray quietly replied.
He had once again been weak and forgave the woman for her coolness towards Hatty’s death, sleeping with her within moments of her flinging out Hatty’s belongings.
‘Or celebrating,’ whispered the young woman who was instantly glared at by her mother.
‘Where’s Philip?’ asked Murray, looking around. ‘Isn’t he coming?’ He noticed the other three look at each other. ‘Or is he making a stand?’
‘He said he doesn’t want to see Jake make a mockery out of Hatty’s memory and went to see Gabriel,’ sighed Louisa. ‘I don’t know what happened, but there seems to be a problem and Gabriel needed Philip’s help. Probably woman trouble.’
‘So he says,’ said Frederick, the strain of his son not speaking to him since the hurricane showing. ‘Maybe he just wants to get away from me.’
‘He’s grieving too,’ said Elena calmly. ‘We’re all dealing with it differently. Do you know Gina’s mother died last week? Apparently she became very ill after the hurricane and simply faded away. I think Hatty’s death only aggravated her feeling of loss for Simon.’
‘I didn’t know. Poor Gina,’ Murray said feeling genuine sympathy.
‘Dat gal a bitch,’ said Louisa, her mouth pursed tightly. ‘Me see her wind her backside two day ago, not a care in da world!’
‘I should send some flowers,’ said Murray, trying not to smile at Louisa, her comments reminding him of Hatty as the young woman sucked air through her teeth.
‘Louisa, will you stop it,’ hissed Frederick, taking his hanky and wiping his perspiring brow. ‘This is a happy occasion and we should try and at least look as if we’re pleased to be here.’
‘Me not!’ snapped Louisa, standing up and turning to Murray. ‘Dat son of yours should be marryin’ Hatty not his New York princess.’
‘I know,’ he said, letting out a massive sad sigh. ‘But she’s not here and Serena is.’
‘Plus you’re going to be a grandfather!’
‘Don’t remind me,’ grimaced Murray as he put his head in his hands and groaned.
Forty
‘You not invited then?’ asked Gina. Delores sat opposite her as they drank tea at the hotel up in the hills overlooking the sea. ‘He marry his white gal an’ she carryin’ ‘is child. Boy move fast.’
There was bitterness in her voice as Delores glanced at the beautiful young woman, who was apparently grieving for her mother but looked like she was relieved.
‘The funeral was lovely,’ said Delores as she put down her cup of tea. ‘You did your mother proud.’
‘Me try,’ she replied and there was a small flicker of pain on her face. ‘Why ya want to see me? Me surprise ya call. Me got the impression ya not want to talk since that night.’
‘I keep bumping into you, more than before,’ was Delores’s cool reply. She hated the idea Gina had the upper hand and felt threatened it could be turned on her at any moment. ‘Have you told anyone?’ she asked, her heart thumping. ‘You know Hatty wasn’t thinking straight that night and I’m sure she-.’
‘She was perfectly clear,’ Gina confidently replied. ‘Ya worry about me?’
‘I’m worried what problems loose lips cause.’
‘Have me tried to blackmail ya?’
‘I’m not implying anything,’ said Delores, knowing full well she’d been waiting the past five months for some sort of move.
She didn’t want anything to ruin her relationship with Murray. They’d become close again. All word of them splitting up had disappeared. She’d never felt so much love for the man but the only thorn was Gina. Caroline wasn’t being spoken to by either Logan man and Ethel was leaving her alone.
‘What to say?’ Gina said and sat back in her chair. ‘Ha Ha Hatty dead.’
‘You could have stopped her.’
‘Knowin’ what me know, would you?’
The wide smile was that of someone who Delores realised could cause some serious damage to her life.
‘Listen,’ she said, leaning closer, trying to control the fear seeping through her body. ‘I don’t want anyone to find out what Hatty said. She obviously wasn’t thinking straight, hence the suicide. I know they tried to look at the footage from security and-.’
‘Security cameras broke,’ Gina said, letting out a sigh. ‘And no one say anytin’ since then.’
‘What about the cameras outside?’
‘What cameras?’ said Gina, mildly amused. ‘No cameras anywhere else.’
‘There are cameras in the car park,’ said Delores, seeing Gina look anxiously at her. ‘They would’ve picked up her opening the door and leaving.’
‘Me know, for a fact, there was no film.’
‘Are you sure?’
It took a few phone calls from Delores to find out there were cameras. The feed was collated separately into another hard drive. Even asking the manager about this caused grave concern for Gina, who sat perfectly still as Delores realised there was more to this than the woman was letting out.
‘Why don’t you let it rest?’ said Gina sharply. Delores pondered what was going on. ‘Hatty dead.’
‘How can I trust you?’
‘Me not want to make trouble. Auntie, ya need not worry about me.’ Gina smiled and grabbed her bag, taking out a large note and leaving it on the table.
Being called ‘Auntie’ only infuriated Delores, knowing the woman was pointing out the age difference between youth and maturity.
‘I don’t want to find out you’re talking about this. I know you hated Hatty so let it rest.’
‘And ya must have hated her even more because what ya did, ya did to a child,’ Gina said seriously. Delores glanced angrily away. ‘Nice talkin’.’
Delores sat there and watched the confident beauty walk off, attracting appreciative looks from passers-by. She remembered when people would look at her like that and smiled, before taking the larger bill and replacing it with a small one as she walked out to her car.
There was no problem getting to look at the footage. The manager knew it was still fresh and was more than eager to help Delores view it. She sat alone in one of the side offices. Speeding through, she stopped when she saw a body lying in the ground. As she tried to rewind the film, someone knocked on the door and she didn�
�t get enough time to see what happened before hand.
Quickly, she got up and walked out of the office. Just as she was leaving she was shocked to find Philip in the corridor, who did a double take when he saw her. There was no hint of a smile as he walked solemnly towards the desk and nodded her in acknowledgement.
‘Aren’t you supposed to be at Jacob’s wedding? I hear all your family flew out for the event.’ Delores couldn’t hide her scorn. ‘He’s making yet another mistake.’
‘What are you doing here?’ he asked, ignoring her comment.
‘I was just talking to someone about getting some more security cameras for the estate,’ she said quickly. ‘Murray asked me.’
‘I see,’ he said, glancing at the room, reaching for his phone.
‘I thought you were in Europe.’
‘I was but I needed to get back here to sort a few things out.’ There was brusqueness to his tone. ‘I have to go.’
She watched him walk through reception towards the stairs as she let out a little sigh of relief.
An hour later, she was sitting on Murray’s balcony and staring out to sea. Now she knew both Gina and her had so many things in common, both trying to push Hatty out of their lives, literally. The information would be to her benefit. All she needed to do was get a copy of the footage and delete it from the original hard drive or find out how.
Murray stood in Mortlake Cemetery looking at Eloise’s grave. It was cold in London and he felt more alienated than before as he wasn’t with Hatty. He’d placed the flute shaped lilies in the holder before taking a deep breath. He knew he had to say something but he was at a loss. Hatty would usually talk and talk until she’d run out of things to say, which would take half an hour. There was only one thing he needed to say, one thing he needed to know. Leaning down and going on his knees he looked at the ground then up in the sky.
‘Is she with you Eloise? Is Hatty there?’
A few days later, Delores returned to look at the footage again. She wanted to see for herself that Hatty took her own life. Delores wanted to make sure there was no mistake.
