Lonely Girl (17 page)

She stopped short, remembering how her mother had threatened to hurt Barney if she talked to anyone about what she had seen and heard. But she had to know. ‘Please, Uncle Patrick,’ she asked, fighting back tears, ‘where’s my daddy?’

‘Well, like I said, I don’t have all the answers, but what I do know is that your Auntie Kathleen had a very serious phone call. It was from your mother and, as far as I can tell, she’s in a deal of trouble.’

‘What kind of trouble?’ Rosie felt some relief at this news. Wherever she went her mother was always causing trouble.

‘Now, don’t go panicking, sweetheart,’ Patrick assured her. ‘I’m sure I don’t know the full story, and neither does your Auntie Kathleen.’

After that long and fruitless search for her father, Rosie now feared her mother’s trouble must involve her father somehow. ‘Is Daddy in trouble, too, Uncle Patrick? Please … has he gone away? Is he never coming back?’ Her voice shook with emotion. ‘Is that why we couldn’t find him?’

‘Hey, don’t get yourself in a state, because then I’ll be sorry I ever told you the little that I do know. But I honestly don’t recall there being any mention of your daddy being hurt, or any such thing. So don’t upset yourself. The thing is, apparently your mother is at the police station. All Auntie Kathleen said is that there was some kind of accident and an ambulance was called.’

Afraid he was getting in over his head, Patrick was keen to extricate himself. ‘Look, sweetheart, I’m sorry, but your auntie Kathleen will need to tell you the rest. Now you know as much as I do: that there was some kind of accident, and your mother reported it to the police.’ This was near enough to the truth.

‘So, my daddy is all right then, is he?’

‘Like I said, you know as much as I do. There was a bad accident, your mother was there, and now she’s at the police station, giving them any information she might have. That’s what happens when there’s been an accident. The police take statements from any witnesses, and then they follow up what they’ve been told. That’s really all I know.’

‘Maybe Daddy was there, too, when the accident happened.’ Rosie grew hopeful. ‘Maybe he had to tell them what he saw.’

‘Maybe … and maybe not. I honestly don’t know the full story.’ That was as close to the truth as Patrick dared to say. ‘We will probably learn more when we get back to your auntie Kathleen.’

Still on edge, still concerned for her father, Rosie was reluctant to wait until then. ‘Did Auntie Katheen tell you what Mother said about the accident? Did she mention where it was?’ She desperately wanted to tell Patrick about the ambulance men who had turned up at the barn, and how her mother had chased her and Barney away.

She could still hear her mother’s wicked warning about what she would do to Barney if Rosie said anything about what she had seen or heard, but even so, Rosie was anxious enough that she was sorely tempted to defy her mother and tell Uncle Patrick everything she knew about her mother being in the barn with that man – the man she had seen talking to himself and sobbing as if his heart would break.

Who was that sad, pitiful stranger? Why was he crying like that? She wished now that she had gone to him. She had so wanted to help.

Her mother said there had been an accident, and then the ambulance came. From what Uncle Patrick was saying now, it seemed her mother was telling the truth. So who was hurt? And why had she not seen anything that could be described as an accident? Yet she had seen the urgent arrival of the ambulance with her own eyes. When Rosie tried to answer one question, it just threw up another. The one and only thing she could be absolutely certain of was that her mother was at the root of it all.

Right now Rosie desperately needed to tell Uncle Patrick everything she had seen, but for Barney’s sake she had to keep her mouth tight shut. However, she could still ask about her father. Her mother had not threatened her and Barney if she spoke about him.

‘Please, Uncle Patrick, I’m really worried about Daddy. He went out ages ago to look for Mother. When he didn’t come back, Barney and I went to find him. We went everywhere we thought he might be, but there was no sign of him. And he still isn’t back yet.’

‘I do understand you must be worried, Rosie girl, but I can’t tell you any more than I already have. The thing is, I heard only a snippet of the conversation between Auntie Kathleen and your mother. But listen, Auntie Kathleen might have heard more from your mother while I’ve been away. We shall just have to wait and see, won’t we? It’s best not to let your imagination run away with you.’ He felt guilty, knowing that when they got back this dear girl was most likely in for a terrible shock.

‘All right, Uncle Patrick, I understand.’ Though even after her uncle’s reassurances she was far from content.

The events of the night were like a jigsaw puzzle, when some of the pieces were missing. She just hoped Uncle Patrick was right and that Auntie Kathleen really had learned more about what had happened, and who it was that had been taken to hospital.

Growing increasingly nervous with every passing minute, Rosie whispered a little prayer that her daddy would be safe.

‘W
HY DON’T YOU
sit down a minute? Watching out the window won’t get them here any sooner.’ Harry walked across the room to lay a gentle hand on Kathleen’s shoulder. ‘I’ve made a fresh pot of tea.’ He had set the small round tray on the coffee table. ‘Please, try and drink it while it’s hot, eh?’

Kathleen smiled up at him. ‘Thank you, Harry. But I don’t think I could even swallow it.’ She gave a deep sigh. ‘I can’t stop thinking about what Molly told me. Passing the bad news on to Rosie will be the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.’

‘I know that.’ Harry had never seen his stepmother so uncertain of herself, so nervous and afraid. ‘I wish there was something I could do to make it easier for you … and for Rosie. We both know how very hard it will be for her to accept what’s happened, but I’m grateful that it’s you who will pass on the bad news. You’re gentle and caring, and she loves and trusts you. All the same, it will be hard for both of you.’

‘You’re right, Harry, it will be hard. And it should not be this way. Rosie deserves a mother who would love and comfort her, and keep her safe through all the heartache to come.’

Harry agreed. ‘It’s what she deserves, but sadly it’s not the case. That’s why I’m relieved you’re here to help her through the worst time in her life. Dad and I will be here for her too, but it’s a mother she needs – a mother who truly cares – and for now it has to be you.’

‘We won’t let her down,’ Kathleen vowed. ‘Between us, we’ll bring her through it, somehow. It’s just unfortunate that poor Rosie’s mother is a cold-hearted woman who never wanted her and would be happy if she never saw or heard from her again. I know I should not be saying these things, because Molly is my sister, but I am not proud of that, and I have never understood why she is like she is.’

She recalled how Molly had sounded when she relayed the bad news to her from the police station. ‘There were no regrets in Molly’s voice when she told me about what had happened. In truth, she sounded cold and distant, as if she was delivering a list of shopping. It was as though she felt nothing.’ Kathleen shook her head in disbelief. ‘I have never understood her, and I don’t suppose I ever will.’

‘Why was she calling from the police station?’ Harry asked. ‘Why did she not wait until she could tell Rosie and us face to face? That would have been kinder, don’t you think?’

‘That’s exactly what I thought, but I imagine she wanted us to know as quickly as possible, and maybe with the police questioning her she couldn’t be certain of what time she might get home. When someone is involved in a fatal accident, the police need all the details and she’d be asked to give a statement for their records.’

‘Did she tell you exactly what happened … I mean, about the accident?’

‘No … nothing.’ Kathleen had wondered about that herself. ‘All she said was that there had been an accident … and that John had been …’ She stopped, unable to say it out loud.

Harry persevered, thinking it might help her get her thoughts straight if she talked about it before Rosie got there. ‘Was she or anyone else hurt in the accident?’

‘She didn’t say, but she sounded all right, so I assume she was not involved.’ She began to feel easier now. Talking to Harry was, in a strange way, helping her to relax before Rosie arrived. Rosie would no doubt have her own questions.

‘Did she tell you what kind of accident it was?’ Harry asked.

‘No.’

‘Hmm.’ Harry was surprised. ‘That’s odd.’

‘Yes … it is, isn’t it?’ At the time, she had been far too shocked at the news concerning John to ask.

‘Did she say where the accident actually happened?’

‘No. In fact now that I think of it, she didn’t really give me any details. When I asked questions she simply acted as though she didn’t hear. Mind you, it might have been because she was still in a state of shock.’

‘It could be, yes … I suppose.’

‘The thing is, you can never tell with Molly, but I know her … and I know it takes a lot to shock her. She’s always been like that: cold and hard as nails.’

Kathleen cast her mind back to when they were children. ‘I could tell you tales about when we were kids, and how she liked to taunt and hurt me when no one was looking.’ She gave a wry little smile. ‘In the end, I simply learned to stay out of her way.’

Harry was not in the least surprised. ‘She hasn’t changed over the years then, has she?’

‘Obviously not. But I will never understand how she can hate her own daughter, that lovely girl. What is it that makes my sister so cruel?’

‘It seems to me that some people are born wicked, while others have a goodness about them from the start. That’s just the way it is.’

Kathleen smiled at his unexpectedly wise comment. ‘Harry Riley, you’re a young man with an old head on your shoulders.’

Harry smiled. ‘How could anyone not love Rosie? She never has a bad word to say about anyone. She’s thoughtful and kind. A genuinely good person, who deserves to be loved.’

Blushing, Harry self-consciously turned away. ‘They should have been here by now. I’ll just go outside and see if they’re anywhere in sight.’

As he began to walk away, Kathleen called out, ‘Harry? You don’t have to worry. I won’t tell.’ She had a little smile on her face.

Harry stopped in his tracks. ‘What do you mean?’

Kathleen felt just the tiniest bit embarrassed now. ‘I’m sorry … only I am well aware of your feelings for Rosie. I’ve known for a while now. You love Rosie, don’t you?’

Harry looked awkward.

‘It’s all right, Harry,’ Kathleen assured him. ‘I’m not about to tell anyone.’

Embarrassed to have been caught out, Harry managed a little shrug. ‘Well, of course I love her! We all do.’

Kathleen nodded. ‘You’re right, of course. And, yes, we do love her. But we both know that the rest of us don’t love her in the same way you do.’ Her coy little smile was almost on cheeky. ‘Admit it, Harry, you are head over heels in love with Rosie. Am I right?’

Harry’s embarrassment was complete. ‘I’d best go,’ he muttered. ‘Sorry, but I’ve got things to do.’ He turned away.

‘Wait just a minute, Harry, please?’ Kathleen called, and he turned about. ‘Harry, it’s all right, trust me. There is no shame in loving Rosie for the generous, delightful girl she is. She’s probably still too young to know her own feelings, so don’t rush into anything.’ She wagged a finger teasingly. ‘Lesser men than you have had their hearts broken.’

When he made no comment, she asked him outright: ‘Does Rosie know how you feel about her? Have you told her?’

Harry was so embarrassed he could not look at Kathleen. ‘No, I haven’t said anything to her. And I don’t intend to.’

‘Why not?’

‘Because I don’t want to frighten her away.’

‘But what if she feels the same way about you? Have you thought about that?’

‘Not really.’

‘Why not?’

‘Because …’ He shrugged again. ‘Besides, I’m not altogether sure if it’s right for us to be thinking like that. To her, I’m just Cousin Harry. So I’m happy enough just to be a good mate.’

‘Oh, I see.’ Kathleen cursed herself. How could she be so thoughtless? ‘Yes, of course. And there’s nothing wrong in being a good mate. Lord knows, with a mother like that, she needs one.’

Not for the first time over these past years, she felt guilty and deeply ashamed to be related to someone as selfish as Molly, as though Molly’s behaviour somehow reflected on her.

In a soft voice, she suggested to Harry, ‘I think you’re right, Harry. Rosie will need a friend, and the two of you have always understood each other, so you’re wise to be cautious. It’s definitely for the best. At least, for now.’

‘Rosie has far too much to deal with now, so I won’t mention any of this to her.’

Kathleen was greatly relieved. ‘Rosie will need you over these next few months like never before,’ she told Harry. ‘Rosie trusts you, Harry. She sees you as a valued friend who understands her.’

‘That’s kind of you to say, and I promise, hand on heart, that I won’t let her down,’ Harry said.

‘I know you won’t. She listens to you, Harry. You, more than any of us, can help her find the strength to deal with losing her beloved father. In time she will surely come to terms with that loss; as we will all have to. With you helping her, Rosie will get through this because she is a brave and strong-hearted girl, and though she might not confide her deeper feelings to anyone else, she will always confide in you.’

Harry understood. ‘Whatever happens, I will always be there for Rosie.’ Just speaking her name gladdened his heart.

Kathleen smiled. ‘Trust me, Rosie will need you more than ever. It’s a sorry fact that her mother won’t help her through this. I will never understand how a sister of mine has turned out to be the mother from hell! Our father was a good man and, as you know, our mother is loved by all around her. Neither your grandfather or your nanna ever had a bad bone in their bodies.’

Kathleen had neither love nor respect for her older sister. ‘It’s what you said a moment ago, Harry. Some people are born with kind and generous hearts, while other people are purely wicked.’