by M K Jones
Then, Richard jumped up and went to the door, his old ears attuned to the footsteps before the others had heard anything. He went out into the hall and stood in front of the woman.
“Were you going to leave without saying goodbye, my dear?”
“I think it best. My husband is waiting for me. And my family,” she added.
“Oh, yes, I understand. But don’t you want to speak to any of them?”
“No, Mr Robinson.” He looked surprised. “Yes, I remember who you are and you’re the only one who knows who I am. Best left that way, I think. Don’t disturb things. It’s been too long.”
He sighed and pulled at his whiskers. “As you wish, my dear. She never gave up hope, you know.” He took her hands. “They searched for you for so long and eventually believed you must be dead. But not your mother. She never, never gave up hope.”
“I know,” the woman began to sob. “I always felt her with me, even in the years I couldn’t remember her.” She dried her eyes with the grubby handkerchief. She stared at it for a moment, then showed it to Richard. “She made this for me and I took it with me. She recognised it.”
“Will you ever tell anyone what really happened, Alice?”
“My name is Esme. Has been for over fifty years. And no, it’s all best left. I was Esme Peach before I married, now I’m Esme Hughes. My husband Alan and I have three children and two grandchildren. The rest is history. I’ve had a wonderful life as Esme. No need to unsettle anything, or anyone.”
“But… William? Maud? They are your family, too. William took a long time to recover from your loss.”
“But he did recover, Richard. He looks a contented man. Maud and Walter never really knew me. I never knew Evan. There’s nothing to be gained by telling them. Let it be, please.”
He sighed deeply, a look of sorrow and compassion on his face. “Very well, my dear. Will you come again?”
“No. She has no more time. This was what we’ve both prayed for. It’s done. She doesn’t expect me again. I’ve told her all I can remember, my whole life since I went. And she has told me what she knows. I can go now.”
He leaned forwards and kissed her on the cheek. “God bless you, Esme. And your family.”
He reached around her and opened the door. She held onto his arm for a moment, pressing deep into his skin, then she was gone. Richard Robinson watched her go. She didn’t look back.
As he closed the door, William came into the hall.
“Richard, who was that woman? I thought, when I saw her, for a moment…” His voice trailed off and he looked anxiously at the old minister.
“Just an old friend. Back in the farming days. Nothing to concern yourself about. I think we should all go and see Ruth now. I think the end is near and she would want her family around her, don’t you think?”
William nodded. He went back into the living room, leaving Richard alone in the hall with the sound of the ticking clock. The old man leaned against the banister, his breath coming in sobs, fighting the emotional tide that was swelling up within him.
The living room door opened and the family trooped out solemnly, led by William. The last up the stairs was Louisa.
“Are you well, Mr Robinson? You seem…”
He turned a brilliant smile on her, so powerful that she stopped in her tracks. “I have never been so well, Louisa. You grandmother has been very close to you, hasn’t she?”
The girl nodded. “She’s told me… strange things.”
“And they will be important, but not now. Now we must go to say farewell to your grandmother. I believe she’s ready, at last.” The girl nodded as she tucked her arm in his and together they climbed the staircase.
Publication Details
Three Times Removed
Book 1: Maze Investigations – The Genealogy Detectives
© 2015 M.K.Jones
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British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
Published in the United Kingdom by Onion Custard Publishing Ltd, UK.
www.onioncustard.com
Twitter: @onioncustard
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Paperback format: ISBN: 978-1-909129-70-2
First Edition: October 2015
Category: Supernatural Crime & Mystery
