Forgotten Child (6 page)

Delia was upstairs, just leaving the bathroom when Jennifer returned from her walk. She hadn’t wanted to overplay her hand and so had shown nothing but kindness recently towards Jennifer. However, the girl would be sixteen tomorrow and it was time to bait her again – time to strike.

She followed Jennifer into her bedroom but, not having had a chance to rehearse her words, Delia had to think quickly.

‘Jennifer, I’m not happy that you went out without telling me where you were going. I know you were upset, and Robin thinks I was harsh with you, but I’m not prepared to make excuses for your father. He isn’t coming home, accept that and pull yourself together.’

‘I…I just went out for a walk, that was all.’

‘It was more like you went off in a sulk. You are not a child now and I suggest you stop behaving like one. You’re sixteen tomorrow and thankfully can leave home if you want to.’

‘Thankfully? It sounds like you want me to go.’

Delia smiled sardonically, deciding to move this forward. Going out to the hall she raised her voice to a loud wail. ‘I can’t stand this again. I really can’t. Your behaviour is just too much…too much…’

As Delia had hoped, Robin came running upstairs. ‘Mother, what’s the matter?’

‘I tried to apologise, to explain why I was so harsh, but now Jennifer seems to think I want her to leave home. I don’t, Robin, but…but she was so nasty…so…so rude to me.’

‘Mummy, calm down and let me take you downstairs,’ Robin urged, and then shouted at Jennifer, ‘As for you, I’ll deal with you later.’

Delia clutched her son’s arm as they went into the drawing room. He was making a fuss of her and she enjoyed it, letting him think he had managed to soothe her.

‘If you’re all right now, Mummy, I intend to see that Jenny apologises for her behaviour.’

‘Thank you, darling,’ Delia said, glad that once again Jennifer had proved no match for her. The girl was too young and innocent to work out what was really going on, and Robin was the same, easily fooled.

While Robin went to get Jennifer, Delia composed her expression to one of wounded hurt. When the girl appeared, Delia waited for the apology. It didn’t come. Instead when Jennifer spoke it was with defiance.

‘I know you planned all this,’ she said, ‘but you needn’t have bothered.’

‘What is that supposed to mean?’

‘That I’d already decided to leave home.’

‘But you can’t, Jenny,’ Robin protested.

‘Oh yes I can. It’s just what your mother wants.’

‘Don’t be silly. She did once suggest it and had her reasons, but then we agreed that you’re too young. Mother, tell her,’ Robin urged.

‘If Jennifer wants to go there’s nothing I can do to stop her,’ Delia said. Then, seeing the expression on her son’s face, she could have bitten off her tongue. She quickly back-pedalled. ‘Of course I would prefer her to stay, and hope we can persuade her to do just that.’

‘If you believe that, Robin, you’ll believe anything,’ Jennifer told him. ‘I’ve never made her life a misery. In fact it’s the reverse and I’ve told you how she treats me when you’re not here.’

Delia knew that she had to stop this, and wailed, ‘It’s you who’s telling lies. You’ve always been jealous of my relationship with my son and now you’re trying to come between us. Oh, Robin…please, I can’t take any more of this.’

Just as Delia had hoped, Robin rushed to her side, and over his shoulder she saw the look of disgust Jennifer threw at her before she marched out. For a moment Delia was annoyed at her audacity, but then realised that it didn’t really matter. The girl
was leaving, and now all she had to do was to convince Robin that she’d played no part in her decision.

At last her torment was over and she would never have to look at that face again – the tears Delia shed now, ones of relief.

Robin was angry with Jenny for upsetting his mother again, but hated the thought of her leaving home. He would have to talk to her, but with his mother in this state it would have to wait.

‘Jennifer really was telling lies, but I don’t know how to convince you of that.’

‘I’m not sure you have to. I’ve seen for myself now what Jennifer has been putting you through. I just wish you’d told me before and then I’d have understood why you always seemed rather cold and distant towards her.’

‘I didn’t want you upset; I tried to shield you.’

‘I’m not a child, Mother.’

‘You were when you took your eleven plus exams, followed by grammar school with more to face. I was so proud when you passed and went on to college, but what I feared is now happening. Instead of concentrating on your studies, you’re distracted and worried about me because of Jennifer.’

‘I’m still on course to pass my A levels.’

‘That’s good,’ Delia said, but then she started to
sob again. ‘I dread to think what your father will say. He’ll blame me, I…I know he will.’

‘Mother, don’t worry. When he comes home again, I’ll put him straight.’

‘I doubt you’ll convince him. Jennifer can do no wrong in his eyes.’

‘I must admit I found it hard to believe at first, but I’m sorry now for doubting you.’

‘There’s no need to apologise, darling, but oh dear, with all this emotional upset I’m so tired,’ she said, placing a hand over her mouth and yawning. ‘I have an awful headache and think I’ll go to bed.’

‘Yes, do that, and don’t worry. I’ll see that everything is shipshape and the doors are all locked.’

‘You’re such a comfort to me. Good night, darling.’

Robin saw how emotionally drained his mother looked as she rose to her feet. It was
his
turn to protect her now, to shield her from any more distress, and to do that he’d have to make sure she remained calm in the morning. They would both talk to Jenny, persuade her to stay, and hopefully things would get back to normal.

After he checked all the windows and made sure the back and front doors were secure, Robin went upstairs. The house was strangely silent and his room hot and stuffy as he lay on his bed, his mind twisting and turning.

Despite the fact that he’d been blind to Jenny’s
faults, she was in his system, and he hoped they could talk her round. Yet if there was another scene he doubted his mother could cope. She was already at the end of her tether, and he dreaded the thought of her breaking down again, of having to call the doctor, who might well have her hospitalised. Anger towards Jenny flared once more and Robin began to wonder if it might be for the best if she did leave home, though the thought still had the power to make his stomach churn. Where would she go?

Wait! Jenny said she had planned to go, and that must mean she had somewhere lined up. She must have broken into her savings to rent a room, but as the job she was starting was a local one, it wouldn’t be far away.

At last, realising that all this could work out to his advantage, Robin smiled. Jenny would be living alone, and would perhaps be so lonely that she’d welcome his company. When he called round to see her, there’d be just the two of them and as his imagination took over, Robin groaned, his hand snaking downwards as he sought release.

Jenny packed, stuffing all that she could into an old rucksack that she had once used for a Guides camping trip, and then finally climbed into bed.

She thought over all that had happened recently. Thanks to Robin blurting it out, everything made more sense. Out of her hearing, her mother must
have suggested that she leave home, but Robin, and perhaps her father, had been against it.

How clever her mother had been, pretending to agree that she was too young, pretending that she cared, convincing Robin that she didn’t want her to go, yet all the time planning a way to drive her out.

Oh, what did it matter? She’d be gone in the morning, her only regret that she wasn’t able to say goodbye to her father. Yet he wasn’t really her father. If he had been he wouldn’t have broken his promise. Feeling the threat of tears, Jenny blinked rapidly.

No, she wouldn’t cry. She was being childish and by acting childishly she had played right into her mother’s hands. It was time to grow up. Tomorrow was going to be the start of a new chapter in her life, one she couldn’t wait to begin.

Edward arrived home at eleven in the morning, two weeks after Jenny’s birthday. He had wanted to be there, had promised to be there for her big day, but when he hadn’t been able to make it he’d rung Delia to explain why. She’d have told Jenny about the fix he’d been in, that in those circumstances it had been impossible to make it home.

He pulled the belated present from the boot of his car, berating himself. He should have at least rung Jenny on her birthday, but he’d been so tied up with sorting things out he hadn’t given it a thought. Delia was right in some things, Edward admitted to himself. He could be thoughtless and his work became his whole focus when he was away from home.

Of course, that hadn’t been the case on Jenny’s birthday, but nevertheless Edward intended to make it up to her this weekend. He’d book a restaurant, they’d all go out for a slap-up meal, and then he’d give her the extra present he had tucked away in his
pocket, a lovely little gold pendant she was sure to love.

With a smile on his face in anticipation of his daughter’s welcome, he went inside, calling, ‘Where’s my girl?’

There was no response, the house strangely silent. Puzzled, Edward looked in the drawing room but found it empty, and so he went into the kitchen. Empty again. Where was everyone?

Having expected an excited welcome from Jenny, Edward felt a strong sense of anticlimax as he placed the parcel on the kitchen table before heading for the stairs. At the top he called, ‘Is anyone home?’

Robin came out of his room, saying quietly, ‘Hello, Dad.’

‘Where is everyone?’

‘Mum’s gone shopping, but she should be home soon.’

‘What about Jenny?’

‘Er…you’re not going to like this, Dad, but Jenny’s gone. She left home.’

‘What!’ Edward thundered. ‘When?’

‘She left on her birthday.’

‘But why?’ Edward asked, but then he heard Delia coming in. ‘Oh, don’t tell me, I can guess.’ Turning away from his son, he hurried downstairs to confront his wife. ‘So you’ve done it. While I was away you got rid of Jenny.’

‘I…I did no such thing. She left of her own accord.’

‘Don’t give me that!’

‘It’s true, Dad,’ said Robin, who had followed Edward downstairs.

‘I don’t believe it!’ Edward snapped, dismissing his son as he focused on Delia. ‘Tell me where Jenny is. Whether you like it or not I’m bringing her home.’

Delia’s face drained of colour and Robin went to her side. ‘We don’t know where Jenny is,’ he said.

Edward’s fury mounted as he glared at Delia. ‘Jenny’s a child and you let her leave home with no idea of where she was going? Are you mad, woman?’

‘Stop it! Please stop shouting,’ Delia begged.

‘Have you told the police? Have you reported her missing?’

‘What would be the point of that? She’s sixteen and free to leave home if she wants to.’

‘She’s a child! You…you…’ he ground out, so furious that he could have throttled her. ‘I’ll never forgive you for this!’

‘Dad, stop it. None of this is Mummy’s fault. Jenny’s behaviour over the years had been abominable, and just lately she almost caused Mummy to have a nervous breakdown.’

‘Don’t talk rubbish!’

‘See, Robin, I told you,’ Delia cried. ‘I said your father would blame me.’

‘Leave this to me,’ soothed Robin. ‘Take one of
your pills. I know they make you feel groggy but it’ll calm you.’

As Robin walked towards him, Edward noticed for the first time that his son no longer looked like a boy. He looked like a young man and a determined one at that.

‘Dad, come on,’ he said, grasping his arm. ‘Mother really is ill and we need to talk.’

‘Ill my foot,’ Edward snapped, convinced that Delia was hiding behind her so-called nerves as usual. He’d get nothing out of her, but at least his son might be able to shed some light on the matter, a clue as to where Jenny had gone. If Robin could suggest somewhere, as a starting point, it would be something. He had to find Jenny. He just had to.

Robin was relieved when his father agreed to accompany him to the drawing room. His mother had tried to stop Jenny from leaving – they had both tried. There had been a tug of war when he tried to grab her rucksack, but Jenny had fought like a tiger, verbally attacking both him and his mother.

She had fled then, leaving his mother sobbing and in such a state that he’d had to call the doctor. She was now on medication, which was helping, but would it be enough to shield her from his father’s anger?

‘I need a drink,’ his dad said, taking a decanter and pouring a large measure of whisky.

Robin waited until he had gulped it down, and
then said, ‘There are things you should know about Jenny.’

‘Don’t bother. I know my daughter.’

‘No, Dad, you don’t. Mother told me that Jenny has made her life a misery for years, but I didn’t believe her until I saw it with my own eyes,’ Robin told him, going on to tell his father all that had happened since he was last here.

‘That doesn’t sound like Jenny,’ Edward said. ‘But if what you say is true, your mother must have driven her to behave like that.’

‘She did not!’ Robin insisted. ‘If you had been here you’d have seen that for yourself, but of course you’re always away. Not only that, if you hadn’t put your work first, you’d have been here for Jenny’s birthday and perhaps able to stop her from leaving. We certainly couldn’t.’

‘What are you talking about? I was driving home when my car broke down. I rang your mother to tell her why I couldn’t make it and asked her to explain things to Jenny. Didn’t she pass on my message?’

Robin could remember the phone call and frowned. His mother hadn’t said anything about the car. Confused, he was about to tell his father that, but then bit back the words. It would anger him again, cause another confrontation, and his mother was upset enough as it was.

‘Yes, of…of course she did,’ he stuttered, hating having to lie. He knew that there had to be an
explanation for his mother’s behaviour but now, recalling how upset Jenny had been when Delia told her that dad’s work came first, doubts crossed his mind. What else had his mother lied about?

‘I had to find a garage, sort out repairs, but forget that for now. Jenny is my main concern and I need to find her. Where do I start? Have you got any idea?’

‘I’ve been looking, asked around, and found out that her best friend left home at the same time. I think that means they’re together, but as Jenny starts work at the local library on Monday, they’re probably still in this area.’

A look of relief crossed his father’s face. ‘Well done, son, that should make it a lot easier. If I can’t find Jenny before then, I’ll just have to be outside the library when she turns up for work. Right, I’m going to have a quick bite to eat and then I’ll make a start.’

Privately, Robin doubted that Jenny would agree to come home even if his father did find her, but he didn’t say anything. They returned to the kitchen together to find his mother sitting at the table, her face slack, the pill she had taken making her groggy. Once again he wondered why she had lied about the telephone call, deciding to ask her as soon as his father went out.

However, as soon as Delia saw them, she rose tiredly to her feet. ‘I…I’m going upstairs to lie down for a while.’

‘Yes, all right, Mother,’ Robin agreed, aware that his father was looking at her scathingly as she left the room. He felt protective of her and as soon as she was out of sight he sprang to her defence. ‘I told you what happened and you can’t blame Mother for this. Jenny really did leave of her own accord.’

‘You’re supposed to have a brain. Use it,’ his father snapped. ‘You said Jenny’s been making your mother’s life a misery, but don’t you think it’s odd that you’ve only just seen it for yourself?’

‘Mother said Jenny’s clever, that she only behaved badly when I wasn’t around.’

‘Right, let’s think about that. From what I’ve gathered, she told you this so-called bad behaviour has been going on for years. How many years?’

‘I don’t know for sure, but since our childhood. Mother mentioned my eleven plus so it must have been before that.’

His father’s laugh was derisive as he slapped a piece of ham between two slices of bread. ‘So you’re telling me that Jenny, who would have been around nine years old then, was wily enough at that age to make your mother’s life hell without you seeing or hearing a thing? We didn’t, and still don’t, live in a mansion, and as this has supposedly been going on for at least seven years, I doubt that hiding it for that long is possible.’

‘I…I hadn’t thought of that…but I
have
seen it now, Dad.’

‘So you say, but don’t you think it’s strange that after so many years of so-called concealing her bad behaviour, Jenny has suddenly come out into the open?’

Robin frowned as he thought it over. ‘Well, yes, it is a bit odd.’

‘As I said, use your head. I suspect what you saw was Jenny rebelling against
her
treatment for all these years. You’ve seen how cold your mother can be, how at times she speaks to Jenny like a servant, and I just wish I’d done more to put a stop to it. Now I’m going to find my daughter,’ he said, not pausing to wrap the sandwich. ‘I’ll eat this in the car.’

Robin was left floundering, but it took only a few seconds for him to realise that his father was right. ‘Hold on, Dad. I’m coming with you.’

‘Fine,’ said Edward. ‘Two pairs of eyes are better than one. Though as your mother is supposed to be ill, aren’t you worried about leaving her on her own?’

‘No, Dad. Let’s go and find Jenny.’

Delia didn’t need pills. She wasn’t in a nervous state or depressed. She’d been ecstatic that Jennifer had left home, but then Edward had turned up and now her happiness was replaced by worry. Delia hadn’t gone to bed; instead she’d stood on the stairs listening, and had been horrified by what she’d heard. Blast Edward. Blast him for putting doubt in her son’s mind.

Now, alone in the silent house, Delia cursed her own stupidity. She’d overplayed her hand by putting Jennifer at too young an age to be that clever – but there had to be a way to turn things round. Setting her mind to the problem, she at last realised that there was only one thing she could do. There was no choice. She hadn’t wanted to play this hand yet though, had planned to wait until she was self-sufficient and able to tell Edward that their marriage was over.

It was the only option left to her, Delia decided – and at least she’d be entitled to the house, as well as a decent settlement until Robin finished his education.