Anchored (27 page)

Chapter 42

Judy stepped out of the taxi several houses from Jonathan’s. Her loose hair shaded her face as she casually strolled to Jonathan’s house, edging her way down the side of his garage.

She closed her eyes and concentrated on controlling her breathing. After counting to fifty she carefully crept along the wall to the window. She stretched onto her toes and peered in.

Jonathan’s car wasn’t there.

Her shoulders relaxed and her mouth curved slightly. All was going according to plan. She’d be able to enter the house unnoticed. She walked with confidence to the back door and slipped into the kitchen. Jonathan didn’t know she’d taken a copy of his keys.

Laughing, Judy moved through the house staking her claim. She’d stay in the end bedroom, as it was unlikely Jonathan would go in there.

She decided to take a shower and freshen up before she made herself a sandwich and settled in for the night. Taking two towels from the bottom of the pile, Judy entered the bathroom.

After she showered, she dried off the shower walls. Judy grinned at her reflection, picked up Jonathan’s toothbrush and brushed her teeth. He would love her again and she couldn’t wait to take back what was hers.

~~~

Jonathan entered the kitchen, threw his keys on the bench and sank down on a chair at the kitchen table. His head fell into his hands and he shut his eyes. Everything was a mess.

Lord, how did I get to this place?
Jonathan slumped forward resting his forehead on the table.

A scene cut into his thoughts of his father shouting at his mother. “You think you can make me stay? You-don’t-make-me-happy. I’m out of here.” As his father turned to leave he’d seen Jonathan crying in the corner. His father had squatted down and said words that now came back to haunt Jonathan. “Boy, always take what you want, don’t let anyone stop you.”

Sobs raked through Jonathan’s body and he came up onto his elbows. He was just like his father. The realization tore at his heart, his hands tore at his clothes in anguish, tearing the fabric and scratching his skin.

He shoved back his chair and came to his feet.

~~~

Judy heard Jonathan sobbing and wanted to go to him. Did he miss her so much it caused him such pain? She stood at the top of the stairs undecided what to do.

She stepped back when Jonathan headed towards her. His head drooped between his shoulders and his arms hung listlessly. Each step he took looked labored.

Frowning, Judy moved back to her room.

Jonathan went into his bedroom, and collapsed fully dressed on the bed.

All went quiet. Judy waited.

When she was sure he was asleep, she crept along the hall and tiptoed into his room. The room was in darkness except for a small beam of light coming from a gap in the curtain.

Judy leaned over him and sniffed in the aroma of his skin. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. How easy it would be to touch him and claim him now.

She steeled herself and whispered words of love. Her hand pulled the blanket up to cover him. She gently touched her lips to his cheek and snapped back as Jonathan moved.

Judy dropped to the floor and held her breath.

Jonathan sat up, scratched his head and murmured Margaret’s name. He sighed, lay back down and snuggled into the blankets.

Judy bit her lip to stop from screaming. Crawling on her hands and knees, she left the room.

Softly she closed the door to her room and spun around. He’d called out to Margaret, not her. Her throat locked with fury and she hissed in anger. Her eyes devoured the room, looking for something to break, and settled on a small paper fan on the dresser.

Had Margaret placed it there? Judy snatched the fan and ripped it apart.

Collapsing on the bed, she tightly closed her eyes. Judy nodded and whispered. “I understand, Mummy. I kept your secret all these years, never telling a soul. I see he made you do it.” Judy’s eyes snapped open and stared back into the scene where she’d witnessed her mother shoot her father.

Her mother had turned and seen her in the room. She’d smiled sadly, then held the gun to her own head and pulled the trigger.

Judy scrambled off the bed and opened her bag. Holding the gun in her hand she felt the weight of it. She’d never used a gun before, but how hard could it be?

Putting both hands around the handle, she practiced pointing the gun with her index finger on the trigger. Standing, she went over to the bedroom mirror and aimed the gun at her reflection.

Speaking in a quiet whisper she said; “That looks good, Judy, aim a bit higher, girl. Lift it up some.” Stretching her arms up she lifted the gun higher and pulled the trigger.

Click.

Her arms fell down and she went back and sat on the bed. This shouldn’t be too hard, one shot to the heart, clean, quick and over.

Judy nodded and smiled. “Yes, yes I see. First Jonathan and then Mia.”

Chapter 43

The design looked all wrong, devoid of life. David ripped the page off and tossed it towards the bin. Work had always been his solace but now he had difficulty concentrating.

He needed to clear his head. Swiveling in his chair he booted his computer to check the display graphs. Scrolling down the page his eyes lost focus and he threw his hands up in disgust.

He heard clip clapping on the wooden floor as Bruno scurried towards him. Bruno’s big head thumped against David’s leg, drawing his attention away from the computer screen. A large paw tapped his arm.

David rolled his eyes and pushed away from the desk.

“Just what I need, another distraction. Come on—a run, a dip in the ocean, and then I’m back to work.”

Bruno barked excitedly and raced to the door.

David went to his bedroom to get his runners and stopped outside Patrick’s door to see if he wanted to come.

He heard the sound of fingers flying across a keyboard and decided not to interrupt him.

Ten minutes later they were at the beach. David flicked off his shoes and ran straight into the water, leaving Bruno splashing around in the shallows.

David swam out past the waves and began swimming parallel to the beach. Stroke after stroke he pushed against the current until he felt ready to turn and drift back. The exercise helped release some of the tension in his shoulders.

Lying on his back he closed his eyes. He’d known Mia seven months now yet still hadn’t been able to take her on a proper date.

Lord, when’s this going to end?

Impatience rippled through his body and he shivered. David tipped his head to one side and his strong arms stroked out towards the shore. His body caught a wave and he surfed into the shallow water.

Shaking the water out of his hair David called Bruno, picked up the lead and ran up the beach. He wasn’t surprised to see the big dog by his side when he reached the road.

David was about to step onto the tar seal when he realized he’d forgotten to pick up his shoes. He clipped Bruno’s leash to his collar and commanded him to stay.

Jogging across the sand, David scooped to pick up his sneakers. As he straightened, his glance spied something out at sea. His eyes squinted against the glare. David was sure he’d seen the tip of a whale’s tail. He tried to calculate the speed the huge mammal needed to propel its massive form above the water.

David’s mouth dropped open in awe as the sight unfolded before him. The whale rose triumphant, flinging its great weight in a display of magnificence. The explosion of water at its re-entry seemed like a symphony to David.

He looked around excitedly to see if anyone had shared the experience with him. There was no one else on the beach. David sunk to his knees.

Lord, I’m always so focused on what’s happening to me. Yet you hold the universe together.

He lifted his arms to the sky. His voice declared his alliance to God. “I will trust in you Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding; in all my ways I will acknowledge you.”

Moments passed as he soaked in the greatness of God. Bruno barked, prompting David to stand, dust the sand off his knees and head up the beach. He felt lighter, excited.

He could now see in his mind’s eye where he was going wrong with his design. His feet slipped into a comfortable jog as made his way home.

~~~

Jonathan rubbed his eyes and moved across the kitchen to flick on the jug. Taking a piece of bread he dropped it into the toaster. After he prepared his coffee he went back to get the boiled water and cursed as he poured cold water into his cup.

The electric jug had been unplugged.

Puzzled, he scratched his head. Tipping the coffee out he re-made his drink and settled on the deck with his breakfast.

He’d dreamed of Margaret last night and his hand touched his cheek as if she’d kissed him there.

He munched on his toast out of habit, not hunger. His hand flicked his hair back from his forehead and he sighed. What did his future hold? He seemed to have no purpose—nothing to get up for in the morning. He felt a niggling in his chest and rubbed absently at the spot.

What would he like to achieve before he died? There was nothing more he could do for Mia. As much as he wanted to make it right, it was now up to her.

But what about Polly? What stopped him from acknowledging her as his daughter? Was it only because of Margaret? Jonathan’s cheeks flushed and he sucked in a breath.

Polly was a pretty young girl and he’d been aware of her the whole time. Would she have been vulnerable to his abuse as well? Had he subconsciously kept his distance because he didn’t want to hurt her?

Jonathan stood and his bottom lip trembled. How could he make it up to her? He was her father and needed to provide for her. He’d tell Klara he’d take care of both her and Polly financially.

His lips set with determination and purpose. He’d call in to see Mia and tell her she had a sister. Polly deserved nothing less.

~~~

Jonathan walked with confidence up to Robert’s door and knocked. He’d started the wheels turning at the solicitors today and the trust documents would be ready to sign by the end of the week. It felt like he was finally doing something right.

The show of potted flowers at the door caught Jonathan’s attention. Robert took pride in his house and Jonathan swung around to see other plants gracing the step.

He’d been too self-absorbed to help Margaret with the gardens. Maybe Robert would give him a few pointers.

The door swung open and Robert greeted him.

“Nice plants you’ve got here, Rob. What are they?” Jonathan asked.

Robert’s gaze moved to the plants and then back to Jonathan. “You interested?” he queried.

“Wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t. Thought I might get into the garden and see if I can get anything to grow.”

“Azaleas. Hardy shrub, even you couldn’t kill it.” Robert grinned.

Jonathan felt he had a spring in his step and before he thought twice about it he hugged Robert.

Robert’s surprise made him laugh. “Is Mia home? I have something important I need to tell her.”

“Yes. Would you like a glass of lemonade? I’ve just poured some.”

“Thanks.” Jonathan pointed his finger at Robert. “You’re quite the domesticated man. I could take a leaf out of your book.”

“Some of us are slow learners, mate.” Robert mocked.

As they entered the room, Jonathan noticed Mia exchange a look with Terri. He’d hoped to talk to Mia on her own, but it seemed everyone was here. Terri stood and excused herself, explaining she had to go to work.

Jonathan sighed a breath of relief.

“Sit down, Jonathan.” Robert handed him a cold glass and Jonathan absently took a sip.

Mia had not said a word. Her unswerving glance locked with his. Placing his glass carefully on the table he sat up straight.

“I don’t want to intrude and act like it’s normal for me to call around and see you, Mia. I know you find this uncomfortable and I’m sorry.”

“Why did you tell Alex Redding you sexually abused me? Surely it was my decision whether I wanted to press charges against you. Do you know how embarrassed I was when they asked me? Do you?” Mia seethed.

“I’m sorry.” Jonathan replied gently. “It just came out. I hadn’t planned to tell them, but it seemed the right thing to do at the time.”

“Who else have you told in your need to clear the slate with confession?” she demanded.

“No one, I swear.” Jonathan glanced at Robert and saw the disapproving frown above his eyes.

“Dad, I need to be the one telling people if I choose to—not you.”

“I understand. I’m sorry.” He held up his hands to indicate his mistake.

Mia looked away and sipped her drink.

Jonathan felt slightly irritated himself. He needed to keep focused and do what he’d come here to do. Sitting forward, he rested his hands on his knees and blurted out. “Mia, I need to tell you one more thing.”

Mia sprung to her feet. “What more could there be?” She spun away from him. “You told me you cheated on Mum with her best friend—for years. You hurt me over and over again—what more could there be?”

“Maybe now’s not the right time, Jonathan,” Robert interrupted in a quiet voice.

Jonathan’s eyes pleaded. With a slight inclination of his head he acknowledged Robert.

“Mia, Polly Duncan is my daughter—she’s your sister.”

Chapter 44

Growing up as an only child had taught Mia to entertain herself. Her hands moved busily as they wiped the window. She absently sprayed more window cleaner and used the paper towel to bring the window to a satisfying sparkle.

Her hand stopped in mid motion, Polly was her half sister, unbelievable, so hard to absorb.

She’d always wanted a sibling. Someone to love, someone who needed her. Her expression softened with pleasure as she realized she’d always loved Polly.

Mia’s hand went to her pocket as her mobile phone went off.

“Mia, don’t hang up—please,” Klara pleaded.