The Postcard, page 31
As he got to the front door it was suddenly opened and Suzie, red-faced and screaming, was hurled out by Penny.
Simon was trying to intervene. ‘Penny, Suzie, come inside.’ He saw Adam. ‘Adam, please help me. There’s been a misunderstanding. Can you get Suzie in here, please?’
Penny gave a suppressed shriek and stormed back into the house towards the kitchen.
Adam picked up a shaking Suzie and followed Simon into the house, closing the front door behind him. They followed Penny.
‘Right. What’s this all about?’ asked Adam reasonably.
‘Ask her!’ spat Penny.
‘OK,’ said Adam. ‘Suzie, what is this all about?’
‘She’s mad,’ said Suzie, rubbing her sore scalp.
‘Yes I’m mad! What the hell were you doing in my bed with my husband?’ Penny screeched.
Adam looked at Simon, who looked very uncomfortable. ‘That’s a reasonable question. Can you answer that, Simon?’
Simon shook his head. ‘No. I woke up and found these two fighting.’
Adam looked at Suzie. ‘What were you doing in Simon’s bed?’
‘That’s want I want to know,’ Penny hissed.
Adam shushed her and they all looked at Suzie for her explanation.
She looked at them one by one, gave a choked sob and ran out of the room before they could move, locking herself in the downstairs cloakroom.
Adam sat the trembling Simon and Penny down and put the kettle on. ‘Now then: both of you tell me what’s going on here.’
Between sobs, Penny explained what she’d found when she came home.
‘I knew she had a reason to be here, that bloody bitch. I knew she wanted something from me, she’s always been an absolute cow.’ She went on to explain about the postcard from her real mother that she’d found the day before and the unkind things Suzie had said about her father and her. ‘She always was so jealous, but it wasn’t just Daddy’s love – she wanted everyone’s love, she always wanted it all to be about her!’
‘Suzie said nothing to me about that,’ said Simon. ‘I swear to you, Penny. When I got back from five-a-side she was here, cooking a lovely barbecue. We had a bit too much wine, I suppose, and I began to feel very tired. I went to bed and must have gone to sleep straight away. I had no idea she was in the room with me or for how long. I promise you, Penny, I would never do anything like that. I love you.’
‘What was she bloody thinking?’ Penny half-sobbed. ‘As if I didn’t know! I was right in the very beginning. She wants what I have got. My entire life, including you Simon,’ said Penny forcefully.
Simon was appalled. ‘Penny, we don’t know that.’
Adam stepped in. ‘I think she’s been telling a worrying amount of lies.’
They were interrupted by a loud knock at the front door.
‘I’ll get it,’ said Adam. He hurried down the hallway and opened the door to two officers, bristling with radios. He looked past them to their police car, lights still flashing on the driveway.
‘Good morning, officers,’ he said, surprised but polite. ‘How can I help?’
‘Would you mind stepping inside, sir?’
‘Not at all. Come in. The vicar and his wife are in the kitchen. Can I make you a cup of tea? What can we help with?’
The police officers followed him down the hall.
‘May I have your name, sir?’
‘Yes, I’m Dr Adam Beauchamp and this is Reverend Simon Canter and his wife, Mrs Penny Canter.’
‘Is there anyone else in the house?’
‘Yes,’ said Simon. ‘My sister-in-law, Suzie Leighton.’
‘Where is she sir?’
‘In the downstairs loo, I believe,’ said Simon.
They heard the door to the cloakroom unlock and Suzie came out clutching her mobile phone and looking scared.
‘You are Suzie Leighton?’ asked the female officer.
‘Yes.’
‘Are you OK?’
‘Yes. Thank goodness you’re here.’
‘You called us to make a complaint about a Dr Adam Beauchamp?’
‘Yes.’
‘What?’ said Adam, clutching the back of a kitchen chair to steady himself.
‘Is the gentleman in question here?’ asked the police officer.
‘Yes,’ said Suzie shaking.
‘Would you identify him for us please?’
Suzie lifted her hand and pointed a shaky finger at Adam.
‘This is the man.’
‘You’re sure?’
‘Absolutely.’
The male officer approached Adam as Suzie fell into the arms of the female officer, sobbing. ‘Dr Adam Beauchamp, I am arresting you on suspicion of sexual assault. Do you understand?’
‘What?’ gasped Adam.
‘You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention, when questioned, something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.’
40
Penny put the phone down in her office and walked slowly towards the kitchen where she was met by the expectant faces of Simon and Ella. ‘Well?’ asked Simon.
Penny pulled out a chair. ‘Pass me a glass of wine first.’
Ella got a glass down and filled it from the bottle already open on the table.
‘Cheers,’ said Penny, raising her glass. ‘Here’s to my poor sister.’
‘To Suzie,’ said Ella and Simon, raising their glasses.
‘So how is she? What did the police say on the phone?’ asked Simon.
‘They were really nice. Suzie has admitted drugging you, Simon, and is with the community mental health team now who are looking after her. She’s to be kept in tonight so that a proper assessment of her can be made.’
‘And what about Adam? Is he still being held?’
Penny put her hands in her lap and hunched her shoulders. ‘Er, yes. I had a text from Kit actually. He’s still at the police station and he said he’ll ring us as soon as anything changes.’
Ella looked relieved. ‘Kit has been such a brick. He was terrified for Adam when the police found out about that other sexual assault case against him. You don’t think they’ll reinvestigate that, do you?’
‘They’re bound to look at it,’ said Simon, ‘but they’ll soon see he was totally innocent.’
Ella chewed her lip. ‘I hope so.’
‘Look,’ said Penny, ‘all of us have been questioned and told the police the truth. They’ll soon work out that Suzie has been lying.’
‘I couldn’t believe what she’d said about you and Adam, Penny. As if you’d be jealous of her seeing him – not that she was seeing him. And that I’d bullied her,’ said Ella.
Penny reached out and patted Ella’s hand. ‘Or that she’d send those flowers to herself and then get me all excited thinking she’d found a man to love, even though he had complications. I was really pleased for her, until it became obvious who she meant.’ She looked at Simon and smiled. ‘You.’
Simon took off his glasses and polished them. ‘Don’t remind me. I can still see your face and hear you shouting when you found us in bed together.’
‘The biggest shock-horror I’ve ever had to deal with.’
‘I’ve never seen you so angry or violent before,’ said Simon putting his glasses back on. ‘I pity any man who bumps into you on a dark night.’
Despite themselves, the three laughed.
Ella’s phone buzzed. She picked it up. ‘Kit? What’s happening?’
Simon and Penny listened to the one-sided conversation and could tell that it was good news. Just before Ella hung up, Penny whispered to her, ‘Tell them to bring a curry home for supper.’
Adam looked wiped out when he arrived at the vicarage and Kit not much better. Ella flew into Kit’s arms and hugged him while Simon and Penny guided Adam through to the sitting room and the fire.
‘Sit down and let me take your coat,’ said Penny. ‘Simon, get this man a drink.’
Adam sat down and crumpled.
‘Adam?’ Penny put her arm around him. ‘Are you OK?’ He looked up and she could see the relief in his eyes.
‘I am so lucky to have my friends in Pendruggan. You, Simon, Ella, even old Queenie. Do you know she managed to get a message to me while I was being questioned? She even gave the police a character witness statement.’
‘She’s a nosy old bat but the dearest thing,’ said Penny, smiling through watery eyes. ‘She’s very fond of you and Kit, you know.’
Simon came in with a large gin and tonic. ‘Here you are. Kit said you’d like it.’
‘Oh, I do.’ Adam took it gratefully. ‘Thank you, Simon.’
‘It’s nothing.’
‘No, I mean for everything.’
‘Ah well. That’s what friends are for.’ Simon was embarrassed and quickly added, ‘Ella and Kit have told me to tell you the curry is on the table so come and get it.’
*
Penny took the scenic route to the hospital; she needed time alone to think, to prepare for seeing Suzie. After everything that had happened she just didn’t know what to expect. Simon had offered to come with her but she had turned him down. ‘I think it’s best if Suzie and I meet alone. We have a big bridge to build and I want to do it properly.’
She parked the car and walked towards the main doors and reception where the girl behind the desk looked up and smiled. ‘May I help you?’
‘I’ve come to visit my sister. Suzie Leighton.’
‘Ah yes,’ the woman said reading down a list. ‘She’s waiting for you upstairs. I’ll tell the ward you are on your way. Take the lift.’
The lift stopped and the doors slid open revealing a tall male nurse with a big smile. He held out his hand. ‘You must be Penny?’
‘I am, how do you do.’
‘I’m fine, and Suzie is doing well. She is very much looking forward to seeing you. She’s a bit dozy, it’s the medication.’
He stopped at a door with a window inset and opened it. ‘Suzie, your sister is here.’ He ushered Penny in and left them alone.
41
Suzie was sitting in an NHS armchair facing a window overlooking the car park. She looked small and fragile in her dressing gown and slippers.
‘Hi,’ said Penny, moving to kiss her. ‘How are you doing?’
Suzie turned her gaze on Penny and said in a slightly slurred voice, ‘I saw you drive in and park. I watched you walk towards me. You looked scared.’
Penny decided to tell only the truth. ‘I was a bit.’
Suzie smiled tiredly. ‘I’m not surprised. I would be too. Have they told you I’m mad?’
‘Not at all. They have told me you are going to be fine but you need some help and a bit of a rest.’
‘Have you come to gloat?’ said Suzie with a sad frown.
‘Oh no, Suzie. No, I haven’t.’ She reached across and clasped Suzie’s hands in her own, holding on even when Suzie tried to pull away. ‘I’ve come to tell you that we are all here for you. Simon and Jenna and I, we are your family. And once you get better we’ll help you make a future.’
Suzie looked at Penny apprehensively. ‘Why would you want to help me? I don’t have a future.’
‘Of course you do.’
‘Do I?’ Suzie asked, looking like a small and frightened child.
‘Yes. You do.’ Penny rubbed Suzie’s cold hands.
Suzie started to cry. ‘I’m frightened. I was lonely when Mummy died and I wanted to be like you. Independent. Happy. I have hated you for all you’ve done with your life. And look at you! Even after all that you’re offering me kindness.’
‘I’ve hated you and been frightened of you too,’ said Penny. ‘I was so hurt that you knew about my real mother for all those years. How did you keep that a secret from me? It was like a knife. Can you imagine how hard it is to be betrayed like that?’ Penny’s voice began to falter.
‘I’m sorry,’ said Suzie, wiping her tears as fast as they fell. ‘I can see now how hard it was for you. Do you want to try to find her? Your mother?’
Penny wiped her own tears before answering.
‘No,’ said Penny. ‘Not now.’ She looked up at the ceiling and willed herself not to cry any more. ‘You see, you helped me to find her. You saved that postcard for me, and so I have found her. In my imagination, and in what she wrote on the postcard. I know she didn’t want to let me go, and wherever she is now, she has a life that doesn’t have a place for me. ’
‘How can you be so forgiving?’ asked Suzie.
‘I can forgive but I’ll never forget. And I have comfort in my own family, in Simon and Jenna. And you, my little sister. Suzie, we are the only two people in the world who share a common history. Who remember Mummy and Daddy. That’s the glue that makes us sisters.’
Suzie sat very still, her eyes darting across Penny’s features then leaned forward and placed her arms tightly around her sister and hugged her.
Epilogue
Penny and Simon were walking on Shellsand Bay with Jenna when Penny’s phone rang. They were getting some much-needed fresh air after the month they’d had. The gossipmongers of Pendruggan had had a field day for a week or two and then moved on to other victims, and this was the first day when they’d yet to have a busybody ‘just popping by’ to try to winkle out some more gossip.
‘I’ll catch you up,’ she told Simon and took the call.
Five minutes later when she reached them again, Penny was beaming. ‘We’ve got to get home!’
‘Why? What’s happened?’
‘We need to open champagne because you and I are celebrating. Old Mave has only gone and come good on her promise! She’s delivered the Christmas special script for Mr Tibbs and the outline for another six stories too.’
She picked up Jenna and swung her round. ‘Yippee! I’m back in business. Mavis has told Jack Bradbury that I am the only person she’ll work with. I’d have loved to have seen his face. Too old for the game, am I? Ha!’ She raised her lips to Simon’s and kissed him triumphantly. ‘Penny Leighton is back in business. Up yours, Jack Bradbury!’
But that’s not where our story ends …
Ella had cleaned Marguerite Cottage to within an inch of its life and had pasties warming in the oven. Henry was on his way and his taxi from Bodmin station was about to deliver him to Pendruggan.
Kit came downstairs, freshly shaved and smelling of a light, tangy cologne. Ella sniffed him appreciatively as she hugged him. ‘You’re not nervous about meeting my brother, are you?’
‘Yes,’ said Kit. ‘Supposing he thinks I’m not good enough for you?’
‘He won’t think that. He’ll love you. Especially if you take him for a pint later.’
They heard the rattle of a taxi pulling up. ‘He’s here,’ said Ella, dashing to the front door.
Henry was paying the driver when he saw Ella’s flash of red hair as she ran towards him. She hauled open the passenger door and threw her arms awkwardly around his neck, smothering him in kisses. ‘I’ve missed my big bro,’ she said.
‘Let me get out first,’ he laughed and pulled her from him.
Walking down the path to Marguerite Cottage he saw a young man in a checked shirt and shorts coming towards him. ‘Hello. You must be Henry,’ said Kit, holding out his hand.
Once inside the cottage, Henry dropped his case on the hall flagstones and followed Ella through the sitting room and out to the garden. He grinned broadly. ‘Well, Ell’s Bells, you’ve landed on your bum in butter, haven’t you.’
‘Would you like a pint, Henry?’ asked Kit.
Henry looked Kit up and down and then threw an arm across his shoulder. ‘With an offer like that, if Ella doesn’t marry you I will.’
Ella elbowed her brother in the ribs. ‘Shut up.’
‘Just saying,’ he said, clutching his chest.
‘Ella’s got some pasties in the oven. What would you like to do first? Pasty or pub?’ asked Kit.
Henry looked at Ella. ‘Will the pasties keep for an hour?’
‘Yes, go on. They’ll keep.’
‘Yes, definitely pub first. I’ve missed Cornish pubs and Cornish beer.’
‘Do you want to take your bags up to your room?’ asked Ella. ‘You’re going to have to bunk down in Kit’s studio for now.’
‘Sounds good to me. Oh, by the way, I have a bag full of post for you. You were only supposed to be here for a few days. How was I to know you’d be here for six months?’
Ella declined the pub, saying she’d rather catch up with her letters.
She waved the boys off and settled to her post, most of which was junk mail, but one was franked with the name of the publishers she had taken Hedgerow Adventures to all those months ago. She opened the letter quickly, hands shaking. It was dated five months previously.
Dear Miss Huntley,
Re Hedgerow Adventures
Thank you for your submission. Unfortunately this is not the sort of book we would publish. We will return the manuscript under separate cover.
Yours, etc …
Ella threw it in the bin along with the junk mail. She sat for a moment, absorbing the rejection. ‘Granny,’ she said, ‘you got me excited there. Ah well, I’ll just have to work harder.’ She felt her phone vibrate in her pocket and, putting all thoughts of defeatism behind her, she answered it.
‘Hey!’ said Henry.
‘Hey,’ she replied. ‘I might walk up to the pub in a minute. I could do with a drink after a—’
‘Have you looked at your emails?’ interrupted Henry.
‘No.’
‘You better had.’
‘I’d rather come and have a drink with you and Kit.’
‘I’d rather you had a look at your emails. It’s from Granny’s solicitor.’
‘OK.’ She tucked the phone under her chin, opened up her laptop and went to emails. She saw it straight away. ‘Got it.’
‘Open it.’
‘Oh. My. God,’ she said, rereading the message. ‘It can’t be true.’
