Relatively Innocent, page 16
part #1 of Colchester Law World Book 3 Series
“Right. Choose the dress and fabric you like the most. We’ll have to make an early start tomorrow if we’re to get very far with it,” said Alison.
Leaving the sewing stuff with Chloe, Alison had a glass of wine with Andrew while she ate her meal in the kitchen.
So this was family life. Two kids upstairs and a loving partner the other side of the table ready to clink glasses with her in celebration of the fact that his children were staying. A sort of warm glow came over her. Andrew looked pretty contented too. She hoped it would be ever thus.
CHAPTER 27
December
HUGH SCROLLED THROUGH his numbers until he found Tony’s and hit call. The number didn't work. A recording said it was discontinued. He had two other numbers and he tried them. The first answered but was obviously an office number. He tried the last number. The phone rang for some time and he thought there wasn't going to be an answer. Eventually someone picked it up and a woman’s voice said it was Tony’s `phone and asked who was calling. Hugh gave his name. There was tinkling laughter and muttering at the other end and Tony came on the line.
“Hello Tony. It’s about Sarah Jenkinson. I suggested to her that I should contact you. She’s being held at the station again and it looks as though she’s going to have to spend the night there this time. Needless to say she’s distraught and….”
“OK. But I’m not sure what this has got to do with me.”
“She hoped, and I thought, you may want to help.”
“I’m not paying her bill again. She can sort herself out this time. You’ve called at an awkward time. I’m….entertaining and it really isn't at all convenient.”
Hugh got the impression he’d gone into another room.
“She wasn't asking for her bill to be paid. Actually she desperately needs your help in another way. There have been a number of instances in homes close to where she lives of children having been frightened at night by someone dressed as some sort of….middle earth creature or something and….”
“What in heaven’s name are you talking about?”
“Someone’s been getting into houses in the middle of the night dressed up as a goblin and terrifying children. Nothing’s happened to any of the children so far because the children have screamed for their parents and the figure has disappeared. But this time Sarah was actually found by a parent in a child’s bedroom and….”
“This is completely crazy. As though Sarah herself isn't enough to have to tolerate, these things that she thinks she’s done or might have done are the work of a totally warped mind. Perhaps she did do these things. I didn't think so but I’ve had enough of her and I’m not being sucked any further into her weird and twisted world. She can manage without fucking me about….”
Hugh could hear his mounting anger and interrupted.
“She wrote a note to you. I’ve got it here. She asked me to give it to you but that’s obviously going to be difficult. I could post it but it’d be too late by the time you got it.”
“What do you mean too late?”
“Sarah will appear in court tomorrow and without some assistance she may be remanded in custody.”
“What does this note say?”
“I don't know. I understand it’s personal in nature.”
“Is it in an envelope? Sealed”.”
“No I have it here. I’d have to place it in an envelope of course to send it to you but….”
“For God’s sake just read it to me.”
“I’m not sure that I should. My client hasn’t instructed me to….”
“Sarah in case you hadn't already realised is a major manipulator. She specialises in fucking men about generally and me in particular. Just read it to me so I can see what machinations she’s come up with this time.”
Hugh sighed. “OK. Here goes.” He paused as he unfolded the piece of lined paper. “It says: ‘Dear Tony, Hugh will tell you what has happened to me this time. I expect you will think that I’m just getting in touch with you for the assistance Hugh thinks you can provide. But it isn't only that. If anything, my predicament is an excuse to contact you. I’ve missed you. I’ve wanted to see you. Something has happened to me. Someone has opened my eyes to what I’ve been doing all these years. But I would rather talk to you face to face. And be with you. I can't say any more on paper. Love Sarah.’
“That’s it.”
There was a long silence. At last Tony said, “I don't see how I can help.”
“Well, what it is is that tomorrow we’re going to try to get bail for her. But where children are concerned, courts are obviously very careful. Sarah lives alone, very close to the children concerned and, it was my suggestion not hers, if she could come and stay with you, if you’d take responsibility for her, she’d stand a better chance of getting bail. And if she can get bail, it’ll make it easier for her to work on her defence. It’d be largely impossible from a prison cell frankly. We’d do our best but….”
“I don't know. I don't know what the note is supposed to mean and I wouldn't put it past her to concoct a note like that that says just so much and leaves a vague promise hanging. Frankly I was just about to….to er….”
Hugh could imagine. “Tony. You’ll have to do what you feel is best. We’re in the Colchester Magistrates’ Court at ten tomorrow. Although I have to warn you the case may not get on `til much later. As usual we’ll just have to wait and see.”
“Would she come and stay with me though? Previously she wouldn't have done anything of the sort regardless of her circumstances.”
“Oh yes. She didn't think of it herself but there’s no reason why she should have. But when I suggested it, she was very keen. I….you know, I get the impression she does want to see you.”
“I don't know. I’ll have to think about it. Good night now.”
THE COURT WAS QUITE full and there were plenty of press outside. The mothers’ Facebook accounts of their children’s nocturnal visitors had gone viral. Several mothers had Twitter followings and blogs abounded. Hugh ignored it all as usual and considered his client’s situation, her standing as a fiction writer (but she didn't want him to mention her pen name) and he went several times to the entrance hall to see if Tony had arrived. He imagined that if Tony was going to come, he would turn up early. He wasn't there by ten thirty therefore Hugh began to concentrate on the arguments. But he kept all Tony’s details easily to hand just in case.
Sarah’s case was called at eleven fifteen. Hugh took a last look in the entrance hall. He saw Tony seated there with others. Surely he hadn't missed him before. But Tony on seeing him immediately stood up and came over to him.
“Will you do it?” was all Hugh had the time to ask.
“Yes,” Tony said shortly and followed Hugh into the court room.
The prosecution argued against bail as Hugh knew they would. Tony had to be sworn in and give evidence of the length of time he had known the defendant and in what capacity. He gave details of his current residence and employment status. He hadn't been prepared for any of this, Hugh not having had any chance to prime him beforehand. But he came across as a concerned, responsible former suitor. Sarah agreed not to go within five miles of her home and to reside at Tony Rayner’s home. She was granted bail.
Hugh saw the pair of them out of the court and asked Sarah to make an appointment to see him at his office as soon as possible. As Sarah and Tony walked off, he engaged the press with a statement as to his client’s obvious innocence and a general appeal not to be influenced by the blogs, tweets and Facebook accounts which he said were not evidence and shouldn't be regarded as such. And by this time Sarah and Tony were in his car on the way to his modern faceless and, to him, soulless architect designed home.
CHAPTER 28
December
“HEY THIS IS WONDERFUL!” Sarah was exclaiming. Tony could see that she seemed to like it a lot better than Yasmin.
If Hugh hadn't called, he was going to sleep with Yasmin last night for the first time if she had wanted to, as Hugh had assumed. Had he done so, Tony would have felt bound to make Yasmin his priority. He would have tried to fall in love with her. Though he suspected she was still a virgin, certainly their intimacy up to that point had told him enough to make him know that a relationship with her could easily lead to love if he gave it the chance. But Hugh had called, and Tony hadn't slept with Yasmin. He hadn't ruled anything out though, and he had taken her home and left her with the same impression as he had on their previous three dates.
But now Sarah was here making this structure a living thing, perhaps a home even. He looked around. The huge picture windows (glass walls really), which had almost given him agoraphobia, suddenly seemed to offer illumination rather than over exposure. The furniture organised by an interior designer he’d felt obliged to employ which he’d thought brash and far too modernistic, not at all cosy, now seemed entirely in keeping with the shape and proportions of the room. The room itself appeared vibrant and with clean lines and lots of uncluttered space. Though still not very homely.
“It’s lovely. Wow! It makes my place look tawdry in comparison.”
“Glad you like it,” said Tony non-committally and somewhat distantly. “Sarah. Obviously I have to go to work now. I’ve made up a bedroom for you. Come along and I’ll show you where it is.”
“Aren’t I sleeping with you?”
“I’m afraid not. Sarah. Nothing’s changed. This is just a convenience to get you out on bail. Surely you realise that. I’ve been….trying to move on. Actually I have moved on.”
He waited for the derisory smile, the knowing look. But neither appeared this time. With her head down, she just said: “OK.”
“What about your things? How’ll you get hold of your stuff from your house? And your car?”
“I’m not sure about the car. But I’ll telephone Duncan and tell him what I need. Hopefully he’ll bring it over. And there’s Amos.”
Oh God no! Amos!
Tony hadn't considered having a spoiled hostile feline imported into his….home? He hadn't thought of it as a home before but it was definitely lighter now, more friendly-feeling.
“He’ll love it here with all the woodland outside. But he’ll have to stay in for a couple of weeks or he might stray and get lost.”
“Of course,” said Tony resignedly, wondering how long this was going to go on for. “Anyway. Who’s Duncan?”
“He’s my neighbour’s son. His mum’s got a key to my house. Oh. I’m so happy to be here.” And on impulse she ran over to him and threw her arms around his neck.
He thought: A few weeks ago, I would have leapt with joy to have her here saying such things and doing this to me. But I won't let myself be drawn into this again.
He extricated himself and walked off. “I’ll show you the bedroom.”
DUNCAN AGREED TO drive his mother's car over with Sarah’s things and with Amos in his carrier. She gave him a detailed list over the phone including her laptop containing her work and her diary. When he arrived, she let him in and made him a cup of tea. He wandered around the ground floor going “Wow” as she had done the day before.
“This must have cost a packet. He must be loaded this boyfriend of yours.”
“He’s not my boyfriend.”
“If you say so.”
“No he’s not. I told you he finished it and that seems to have been that. I’m trying not to be too upset about it actually.”
“But he’s letting you stay here right?”
“Well my solicitor persuaded him I think. So I could get bail. He’s pretty good, Hugh Sutherland. I suppose if there’s any chance at all, I’ll get off with him acting for me.”
“Sarah. It just seems incredible. Why on earth would you go into people’s houses and terrorise children?”
“Beats me. You seem to have got me to start thinking about my upbringing. The fact my parents didn't love me. Perhaps that’s why I might want to frighten children. To punish them for having a normal happy childhood, with normal loving parents when I didn't. I don't know.”
“But….if you know that and acknowledge it, I don't see how it’d then lead you to do things unconsciously. If it’s all buried, then maybe. But you’ve known all along haven't you about your parents. It hasn’t been suppressed. You’ve just not wanted to think about it. Isn't that right?”
“Yes. I suppose so. But I’ve been running away from it. Trying to put as much space as possible between me and them, between me and those thoughts.”
“Do they want to see you?”
“Probably. At least they used to keep tracking me down and trying to make contact so I kept moving on. I think I gave them the slip properly a few years ago. But I suppose they’d still want to see me if they could.”
Duncan looked at her and thought, but didn't go so far as to say, that maybe the time had come for her to renew contact with them. He knew he’d interfered enough.
“Anyway,” he said, “all those other things happened before our sessions started or at least before the hypnosis session didn't they?”
“Yep. True.”
“But it’s had other effects hasn’t it? Our sessions? The hypnosis? ”
“What do you mean?”
“Tony.”
“Probably. But I think it’s too late with Tony now. I’ll just have to put up with it.”
“Well that’s a shame. It must be a bit bothersome. I mean you staying here in the same house as him?”
“I don't know. I’m pretty mixed up really. Half of me’s still trying to tell myself that I don't and never did want a proper relationship with him. Really I’ve treated him so appallingly, I can hardly start trying to get close to him now that he doesn’t want to. It wouldn't be fair. And there’s no guarantee it would work out anyway. Heavens, even considering it from his angle is quite a turn around for me. I really have treated him very badly. I’m surprised he’s agreed to have me here at all.”
“Oh well. I’ll have to go now. I’ve got to go to work. I’m glad you’re OK anyway.”
“Thanks for what you’ve done for me.”
“Well. I hope it was for the best. I hope it helped you.”
“Yes. Thanks.”
Duncan left, relieved that she hadn't suggested any more sessions. You couldn't, shouldn't, mess with people’s minds. She was quite possibly psychotic. He hadn't been trained to deal with such people. Despite his interest in the case, he was glad now that she wasn't next door any longer and that he didn't have to continue his sessions with her.
ONCE SHE WAS alone, Sarah reflected that Duncan had never spoken to her openly before. And if she had changed, then so had he. He was still serious and contained but there was a levity about him that hadn't been there before. His mouth turned up at the sides and his eyes looked softer.
I think he’s in love. And if so, good luck to him.
She set up her laptop and the first thing she did was make up her diary and email it to Hugh with a message that she’d continue to email it every few days.
MEANWHILE TONY, back to work, sorted out for a member of his staff to go and collect Sarah’s car under the company’s insurance. Yasmin watched and heard the conversation but said nothing. Tony felt guilty and asked her out for a meal that night in a very expensive restaurant. Yasmin wasn't insensible to the mixed message behind the gesture and felt both reassured and alarmed.
CHAPTER 29
December
LIFE AT MONTEREY END settled into a sort of routine. Tony gave Sarah his new mobile number. Sarah tried to get up and go to bed earlier to blend in with Tony’s own routine. She missed her evening chats with Cassandra but it couldn't be helped. That and her earlier nights resulted in her cutting down her alcohol intake drastically.
She loved the peaceful wooded setting of the house and its isolation and found it immensely soothing. The constant birdsong, squirrels leaping through the trees, rabbits on the lawn, the occasional fox or badger. She began to sleep a lot better and realised that she’d got herself into something of a state. She wrote a great deal. She made their evening meal every day. Sometimes Tony didn't come back but she could hardly complain. He hadn't exactly invited her here and, although he didn't say anything, she knew she must be cramping his style somewhat.
Sarah was barely even marginally aware of the turmoil and anguish she was causing. She felt oddly content and at peace. She was still coming to terms with the fact that her mental state had changed. She was letting the changes leak out into her conscious mind from her subconscious slowly. She was still trying to push them away and deny them but they were taking hold nonetheless and part of it was not to torment Tony any longer. He had expressed a wish to finish what there was of their relationship and, although it wasn't necessarily what she would have liked, she wanted things to be calm. She didn't want to exhibit the abnormal behaviour Tony had accused her of.
She tried to be friendly and pleasant and left it at that. Quite honestly, they didn't spend much time together because when he wasn't at work, she knew he was out with Jasmin. Or he went to the gym or out for a run and at home he mostly locked himself away in his study and he even took his meals there sometimes. There was a fully equipped gym in the house down in the basement that Sarah was taking advantage of, therefore for Tony to go out to a gym must mean he really wanted to get away from her.
After a few weeks however, Sarah started to miss company. And she didn't want to become a recluse like her great great aunt. She knew she still had lots of unfinished business in her head to sort through and she wondered if it might be possible to resume the sessions with Duncan. Perhaps he might even be able to unlock her mind fully and winkle out any involvement she might have in the child molesting and other nocturnal events.
