Stench

by AB Morgan

  ‘You go ahead. Sara will always be a part of my life. I’m over trying to keep up barriers. Actually, I quite like to hear her name now and again.’

  Keith sighed. ‘Good. I’d like to chat about Sara with you. We often tell stories about her in the office. She was a good nurse you know, not just good; she was brilliant. Anyway, as I was saying, in her incredibly thorough assessment most of the detail about upbringing and childhood information came from Anna’s cousin Gemma Waterford, who you know.’ A quizzical look from Keith was followed by a gentle enquiry into Rory’s current tolerance levels regarding Gemma as a topic of conversation.

  Rory huffed. ‘I haven’t forgiven the stupid cow. I mean, I understand that her mother was gravely ill which was why she couldn’t make the press conference but how could she have avoided hearing the news that half the country were looking for her and believed her to be a missing person. I’m not convinced. I don’t believe she lost her mobile phone either. Still, it doesn’t matter. She tried to phone me a few times and sent a couple of messages of apology, but as far as I’m concerned I’m glad to see the back of the bloody woman.’ He sipped at his mug of coffee and shook his head. ‘It’s weird. When I talk about Sara, and things that happened in the past, I forget about my sense of smell. Just then I almost took a sniff at my coffee. Daft isn’t it?’

  ‘Not really. It’s a powerful sense to have lost. I admire you for coping so well. Are there any upsides to anosmia?’

  ‘Not really, apart from the fact that I can’t smell the bad stuff, like blocked drains or fertilizer.’

  ‘And other people’s farts.’

  ‘Or my own farts for that matter.’

  The laughter subsided eventually and Keith filled in one or two gaps for Rory about Anna’s past. Details were sketchy and the report written by Sara merely outlined that, when Anna was a young child, Scott and Joyce Pardew had departed in a hurry for Spain because of a financial scandal at the public girls’ school where Joyce Pardew was head teacher. For some reason their daughter Anna was left behind in the legal care of Joyce’s sister in Devon. Anna was henceforth known by the surname Waterford, and brought up as if she were her cousin Gemma’s younger sister.

  Many obvious questions had remained unanswered.

  Keith would not be drawn to expose the name of the psychiatrist who seemed to have known what went on at certain unconventional and lavish charity galas held by the Pardews at their home. ‘He’d been there in person by the sounds of it,’ Keith divulged with a cheeky twinkle.

  Rory didn’t recall reading anything about a scandal relating to a public school in recent years. ‘How long ago are we talking here?’

  ‘I worked it out that Anna would have been nine when she went to live with the Waterfords, twenty-or-so years ago.’

  Having a purpose to their conversation had made the reunion with Keith more comfortable than Rory had imagined. There were few awkward silences and much reminiscence about old times and well-remembered incidents. On parting they hugged and patted each other’s backs, happy to have renewed a special friendship. ‘Keep me updated.’

  ‘I will. That’s a definite.’

  Rory reluctantly decided that he would have to meet with Gemma face to face, and although she had engaged with him politely at Anna’s funeral she hadn’t made a great deal of effort to apologise to him in person for the distress she had caused. He didn’t want to get back in touch with her again but he had promised Lorna to chase up on details regarding Scott and Joyce Pardew, and Lorna was convinced that Gemma knew more than she was letting on.

  When he had phoned her to explain that it was Konrad’s intent to produce a documentary about Anna’s story, Gemma was keen to play her part and offered to call in on her way to London the following week. Three days later, they sat together at the Ribbles’ kitchen table drinking coffee. When she had walked into the door of the shop at Ribble’s Garage, Rory was struck once more by her uncanny likeness to her deceased cousin Anna. Gemma was well dressed, confident and altogether more pleasant in her manner than when they had first met.

  Her contribution to Rory’s search for information was minimal at first, but when describing her mother’s reaction to enquiries about the Pardews, it convinced Rory that the story about what happened to Anna Chamberlain as a child was worth chasing further. He explained, as best he could, the essence of what Keith had imparted in strictest confidence.

  Gemma sat on the edge of her seat with rapt attention until he had finished.

  ‘Bloody hell, I never knew any of that stuff. I thought they’d gone to Spain because that’s where Uncle Scott had to move for work and they didn’t want Anna brought up in a foreign country. Mum always said she changed her name to Waterford because it was easier to get her into local schools. How gullible am I?’

  ‘How did you get on with asking your mum for more details, at the weekend?’

  Gemma shuffled back into the chair. ‘Dreadful. I simply asked her why Anna had ended up under her legal guardianship. She was furious. I’ve never seen her act like that in my whole life. She practically screamed in my face and forbade me from discussing the whole issue with anyone. Apparently, I’m not to tell a soul about Anna’s change of name, which will be easy because as I don’t know anything there’s no danger of that happening. Besides, she’s been Anna Chamberlain for years.’

  Rory considered her words for a while before asking Gemma more about her own parents. He had been puzzled why Gemma’s mother, the woman who had raised Anna, hadn’t been more of a presence in her adult life and why there had been no reference to this part of Anna’s history in the media. Journalists had been happy enough to dig around into his past but had only focussed on Anna’s mental illness and marriage to an army major.

  After her explanation, Rory remained unconvinced. ‘So your mum disowned Anna. I don’t get it. Why?’

  ‘I’m not certain that there was one single reason, but let’s just say that Anna became too difficult to handle. She pushed every single boundary, broke promises, bent the rules and went off the rails. Big time.’

  ‘How big? Sex and drugs and rock and roll?’

  ‘Drugs - a bit. Drink - yes. Sex - most definitely. From about thirteen Anna was promiscuous with a capital “p”. It was more than Mum and Dad could handle and it seemed to get worse once I’d moved out.’

  ‘What happened to your father? I didn’t like to ask.’

  Gemma smiled with her lips but her eyes had sadness in them. ‘He died in an accident. He and Anna had a massive row in the kitchen one night. She was pissed again and late home. They argued, she said she lost her temper and went to hit him, but he slipped trying to avoid her flying fists. The coroner said it was a blood clot in the brain that killed him.’

  ‘Shit.’ Rory fell silent for a while. He stared at the floor steadying his breathing. The coincidence was not lost on him. He hadn’t been the only one Anna had assaulted. He was one of three; himself, Brenda and Gemma’s father. When he refocused, Gemma was staring at him. ‘Sorry, I wasn’t being rude. That’s a bit close to home for me. Shook me up a bit. It must have been a dreadful time.’

  ‘Yes it was. Dad died in the same week I found out about Anna and Damien. Mum threw Anna out and never spoke to her again.’

  ‘But you did. You always stood by her.’

  ‘Yes, and I always had to lie about it, so as not to cause upset. Mum blamed her for Dad’s death, you see, but I’ve always accepted that it was an accident. Anna was destroyed when Dad died. She really loved him and Mum, although she didn’t show it much. Some weird thing about being disloyal to her real mum and dad, I suppose. It must have been like losing another set of parents, especially when my mum refused to go to her wedding. I felt sorry for Anna. She was a lost child.’ Gemma paused, reflecting. ‘I knew something peculiar had happened when she was a kid but I would never have guessed that her parents were abusers or anything.’

  ‘I don’t think they were, necessarily. It’s a bit of a guess, but it s
ounds to me like those charity gala evenings at the Pardews’ posh house were something more than events designed purely to defraud. If Social Services became involved then there must have been a more significant issue than fraud to warrant a child being taken into care.’

  Rory looked to Gemma for an explanation but she shrugged. He stood and began to pace across the kitchen, thinking aloud. ‘What did Anna tell you about her parents? When she was a little girl, what sort of things did she describe when she was playing with dolls, maybe.’

  Gemma considered the question for a few seconds then suddenly one hand flew up to her mouth. ‘Crap. I always thought she was making it up. What she told me sounded so oddball, and when I think back, she said things a ten year old shouldn’t know. I hadn’t a clue what she was talking about. As far as I was concerned it was made-up stuff, make-believe, perhaps weird child fantasies. Or so I thought.’

  ‘Like?’

  ‘She said her dad was the man in a top hat and red tailcoat in charge of a circus.’

  ‘What like a ring master?’

  ‘Yes, in long leather boots, whip in one hand and microphone in the other. She didn’t use those words but that is most definitely what she meant. Good God, you can only imagine what that was about.’ Gemma sat up straight and turned in her chair to face Rory. ‘You know, when I think back to when she was really psychotic, that first time in the hospital … well, the descriptions of that circus were, frankly, perverted. That poor child, no wonder they sent her to therapy for the next ten years. Not that it worked.’ Gemma turned her head away and blew her nose. ‘Sorry. It’s got to me. Fucking parents.’

  ‘Was she abused? I mean … directly?’

  ‘No, I don’t think she was. Although she was obsessed with sex and she loved attention from men, so if it’s true, then I do think exposure to adult activities at a young age must have warped her mind. Did she watch from the upstairs landing do you think?’

  ‘Who knows what went on, but I’m interested in her obsession with Leo Fewtrell. There has to be a connection with her parents and the Fewtrells.’

  Anna’s delusions had fascinated Rory because he knew that her preoccupation with Leo couldn’t have developed by coincidence or chance. After all, she had been right about him in many ways.

  * * *

  Gemma had plans for the rest of the day. She was job hunting and had an interview arranged in London for six thirty. ‘I don’t even have to lie to Mum about it because it’s true, but I can’t tell her what we’re up to here, she’d never forgive me. She’s not very well, you see, so I don’t want to upset her more than necessary. Give Lorna my best and tell her to get in touch if she needs me for anything. I’m glad she and Konrad are going to share Anna’s story, at least the truth will be heard.’

  As soon as Gemma had left, Rory decided to call Lorna rather than to fire off another email.

  ‘Hello, Lorna, it’s Rory Norton. Not too bad thanks. I’ve got some interesting additional snippets for you.’

  Rory was ending the call as Barney strolled in from the workshop unzipping his filthy overalls. ‘Are you alright Rory-boy? Shall I pop your eyeballs back into their sockets for you? Who was that on the phone? Miss Whiplash?’

  ‘Fuck.’

  ‘Cat got your tongue?’

  ‘Fuck.’ Rory stared at Barney, unblinking, deranged, mouth pulled in a stretched downward arc making the tendons in his neck stand out.

  ‘Come on now, lad. You can do better than that. More imagination please.’

  ‘It’s … well I don’t know what to say … apart from fuck.’

  ‘So I gather. Sit down for a minute. Get a grip on yourself.’

  Being given instructions reset Rory’s ability to explain himself. He looked up at Barney as he spoke with careful deliberation. ‘That was Lorna. She’s been busy. What she’s discovered about Anna’s parents could keep Konrad in documentary material for the next decade. They’ve been watching some film footage dating back twenty years and Lorna suggests we prepare to be shocked when we see it. Oh, and she apologises for keeping Annette later than planned. They’ve been editing key parts. She should be home soon. They were about to get on the train when I phoned. I hope to God no one could overhear what Lorna was saying. Most of it was in code, but some of the details were salacious at best.’

  ‘At worst?’

  ‘Filth.’

  ‘There go the mad eyes again.’

  Rory shook his head vigorously. ‘Yuk. I’ve got unwanted visions in my head.’

  Barney reached down and ruffled Rory’s hair making him flinch and pull away. ‘Don’t panic, I’ve washed my hands. Right … shape up. It’s your turn to cook and we’ve got no more than two hours to tidy this place before the Queen of the May walks through the door. You’ll have to wait to find out what else they’ve been up to, so let’s keep busy.’

  40

  The Truth Behind the Lies

  ‘Come on in, Gemma. We’re in the lounge for today’s showing.’ Annette had her mobile phone in one hand as she let her guest in.

  ‘I thought Rory would be joining us,’ Gemma said looking around her.

  ‘No. He’s already seen it. Sunday is his day off so I think he’s out on his bike somewhere. He said he’d pop in later with Kon and Lorna to get feedback. Can I get you a drink of anything before we start?’

  ‘No thanks, I’m fine. Is it just you, me and Barney then? No one else?’ Gemma stepped into the Ribble’s compact lounge and, putting down her bag, settled into the armchair. ‘Goodness that’s a huge telly.’

  ‘Just the job for today, much better than squeezing into my office upstairs. We did consider asking Brenda Chamberlain along but she’s still not very mobile and, to be honest, her short-term memory remains incredibly unreliable. We thought it might be a bit cruel to make her sit through the whole thing. Some memories are best left alone. Now then, give me a minute. I’ll track Barney down and we’ll make a start.’

  Annette saw Gemma reach into her bag for tissues. ‘Perhaps a glass of water might be an idea.’

  Within a few minutes Barney and Annette had wedged themselves onto a leather sofa, coffees and biscuits within reach on a low wooden table that could have benefitted from miraculous chemicals and polish to rid it of ring marks.

  ‘Right, shall we get on with it?’ Barney asked before clearing his throat. ‘As you know, my wife edited this documentary in the same way she has done for all of Kon’s true crime series, but this time it’s personal.’ Barney held the TV remote control aloft, taking aim at the television but before he could press the requisite button Annette interrupted him. ‘Hang on. Gemma, I do need to warn you and Barney about something before we start. We haven’t actually pixelated a certain part of the film yet, so when Konrad says so, be prepared to see everything … and I mean everything!’

  Barney took back the mantle as Master of Ceremonies. ‘Ladies and Gentlemen - that’s you, Gemma - now we’re sitting comfortably, we shall begin.’

  The three faced the television screen where dramatic music accompanied the opening credits.

  ‘Welcome to another in the series of “The Truth Behind the Lies” with me Konrad Neale.’ Konrad could be seen, immaculately dressed in a grey suit, a purple tie and matching eyepatch, addressing the camera from a tall seat in a television studio.

  ‘In this latest series, we have continued to seek out the truth where there have been miscarriages of justice, and this film is no exception. Our subject this week is Anna Chamberlain who, last year, died in horrific circumstances.

  ‘The police and the crown prosecution service would have us believe that Anna’s death came about as a direct result of a deliberate abduction. The court concluded that she died trying to escape from her captors. This programme will challenge you to consider whether it is possible that they are wrong.’

  On the screen appeared a series of faces, as photo mug shots. Dylan, Mad Leo, Frank, and Carmel Fewtrell stared back from the TV, unappealing in their harsh portrait
s. They were each given an introduction by way of a list of previous crimes and social backgrounds.

  Konrad firstly honed in on Dylan’s story.

  ‘Dylan Fewtrell was arrested and charged with false imprisonment and two counts of sexual assault. The question is, was he rightly charged with - and found guilty of - the manslaughter by unlawful act of Anna Chamberlain?

  ‘In order to put these crimes into context, allow me to take you back to the events that took place at Fewtrell’s Yard during last August’s Bank Holiday weekend.’

  On screen Konrad probed into the account Dylan had given regarding his contact with Anna. During this, the scene changed to some footage of Fewtrell’s Yard where the filming took the viewers around the compound and into the outbuilding from where Anna’s body had been eventually recovered. The camera panned back, revealing Konrad standing outside the shabby red brick building.

  ‘When Anna’s body was finally found it was evident that she’d spent several hours, if not days, tunnelling in an effort to escape. Yet no one has admitted abducting her or holding her captive before that Monday. Not even Dylan. So how and why did Anna Chamberlain end up in this outbuilding in the first place?’

  The scene on the TV screen changed again.

  Konrad gave a potted history, as a voice over, of Damien’s army career and Anna’s struggle to cope with depression and psychosis. The camera shot revealed the outside of the GP surgery, and zoomed in on the names of the doctors providing NHS services to the local community.

  When she was interviewed, Dr Janice Dalby sat at her clinic room desk. Her eyes darted around as often as her attempts to avoid answering Konrad’s questions. He pushed her to explain why Anna had been allowed to leave the surgery without being referred for further help and support.