Forgotten Child (27 page)

‘’Tisn’t broken, just badly sprained,’ Nuala told Jenny when she returned from hospital. She was now sitting in the kitchen on a chair by the hearth, her foot propped up on a stool. ‘Thanks for all you’ve done. I don’t know how we’d have managed without you.’

‘It was no trouble,’ Jenny told her. ‘I was glad to help.’

‘I wasn’t at the front when you arrived last night so I don’t even know your name.’

‘It’s Jennifer Lavender. Jenny.’

‘Nuala, I hate to tell you this, but there’s more bad news,’ Finn said, walking into the room. ‘I rang Bridget to ask her to come in, but she’s gone down with bronchitis.’

‘What! She was fine yesterday. What about the rooms? They need cleaning.’

‘I can at least tackle that.’

‘Finn, you can’t manage to do everything on your
own, and it’s not just today. If Bridget has bronchitis she may not be back for some time.’

Jenny listened, felt sorry for them and her mind turned. Limerick was so large and she could be here for some time. ‘I’m going to stay in Limerick for a while. If you like, I could help out until Bridget comes back.’

Nuala brightened. ‘If you’re sure, that would be great. We’ll pay you, and your room will be free of charge, meals included.’

‘Yes, especially as Nuala has to stay off that foot and you’ll have to cook them,’ Finn said, winking at Jenny. ‘Our regulars like an evening meal too.’

‘That’s fine,’ Jenny said. ‘Now tell me where the cleaning things are and I’ll make a start on those rooms.’

‘You arrived late last night, a stranger, but I had a feeling you’d become a blessing,’ Nuala said. ‘You’ve already seen to the breakfasts, cleared up, and I think before you do anything else you should sit down and have a rest and a cup of tea. Finn can make it.’

‘Take no notice of Nuala and her feelings,’ smiled Finn. ‘I keep telling her she’s off with the fairies.’

‘Yes, he does, but I usually turn out to be right.’

Finn shook his head and carried on with making the tea, while Nuala asked, ‘Jenny, what brought you to Limerick?’

‘I…I think my mother may have been buried here. I’m looking for her grave.’

‘Oh, you poor girl,’ Nuala exclaimed, but then her brow furrowed. ‘Why do you only
think
she was buried here?’

‘It…it’s a long story.’

‘Nuala, leave her alone. It’s none of our business,’ Finn protested as he handed them both a cup of tea.

Nuala nodded, looked at Jenny and said, ‘Sure, you don’t have to tell us anything you don’t want to.’

‘It’s not that,’ Jenny said. She was worried that they, like Delia, would think badly of her mother. ‘It’s just that it might shock you.’

‘Now how will we know if you don’t tell us? And anyway, in return for what you’re doing for us, we might be able to help you in some way.’

Jenny knew that it would take her a very long time to search such a large city. She looked at Nuala, seeing the kindness in her eyes, and stuttered, ‘She…she died in a home for unmarried mothers.’

Instead of looking shocked, Nuala said sympathetically, ‘The poor girl, though I can’t say I’ve heard of one of those homes around here.’

‘They’d hardly advertise themselves,’ said Finn.

‘I know that, but I might recognise the name.’

‘It has a saint’s name, but I don’t know which one, followed by saying it’s a house for fallen women.’

‘Well now, that’s hardly keeping it quiet,’ Finn said.

Nuala shook her head. ‘I’ve never heard of it and that’s hardly a name that would pass me by. Are you sure it’s in the city?’

‘Well, no, not really.’

‘In that case, I think you’ll find it’s somewhere on the outside, somewhere secluded. But searching the whole county of Limerick will take some doing.’

It wasn’t what Jenny had hoped to hear, but she felt she wanted a break from travelling and this seemed the ideal opportunity. She’d ring her father when it was time to leave, to find out where she had to head for outside of the city, and surely with that information the home would be easy enough to find?

‘I’m in no hurry, happy to stay for a while,’ she said, then drank down her tea. ‘I’ll get on with those rooms now.’

‘Well now, Finn. Unlike Bridget, Jenny is keen to get on with her work. You can show her where the sheets are and anything else she needs.’

‘You could have given me a chance to finish me tea, Jenny,’ Finn said, but his smile belied any sting in his words as they left the room.

Jenny smiled too; she already felt sure that she was going to like it here.

Over two weeks had now passed and early on a Saturday afternoon close to the end of March, Edward was reading a letter from Delia’s solicitor. It ended with the suggestion that he sought his own
legal council. He was happy with that, in fact he couldn’t wait for the divorce proceedings to begin. He was more worried about Jenny. She still hadn’t rung him again, and with the sale of the house in progress, he wanted her back and soon.

He folded the letter. He didn’t have to worry about Delia talking to Jenny now. She had moved to Richmond, and as for Robin, his son had agreed that it was better for Jenny if she never found out. The chances of her doing so were unlikely, in fact many, many millions to one, especially as he had sent his daughter on a wild-goose chase. It hadn’t been a nice thing to do, but he’d had no choice, and now all he wanted was Jenny safely back under his roof.

His ears pricked at the sound of someone trying to open the front door. He could guess who it was, but Delia had no chance. A minute later the doorbell rang, but he didn’t hurry to answer it. Let her wait.

The letterbox rattled and then must have been lifted, for Delia’s voice was loud as she shouted, ‘Edward, I know you’re in there. Open the door!’

He finally did, to be confronted by her red-faced anger, but said calmly. ‘What do you want, Delia?’

‘How dare you change the locks!’

‘You left; we’re separated and supposed to communicate through our solicitors. I have every right to stop you just walking in when you feel like it,’ he said, his smile sardonic and sure to wind her
up, ‘after all, I might have been entertaining.’

He was wrong. Instead Delia took a deep breath, her smile matching his as she said, ‘Fine, I don’t want to come in. I just wanted to see your face when you hear what I have to tell you. I just hope you don’t know already or that would spoil my fun.’

‘Know what?’ he asked.

‘You thought you’d always be safe, that the law would always protect you, but you’re about to come unstuck.’

He sighed. ‘No doubt my solicitor will inform me of any changes to the laws on divorce.’

‘No, Edward, I’m talking about adoption laws.’

For a moment Edward stiffened, but then relaxed. He had nothing to worry about. ‘Strangely enough, when Jenny rang a couple of weeks ago she asked about her birth certificate. Now you say there are changes. What changes?’

Delia was obviously enjoying this as she said triumphantly, ‘Adopted children are going to be given the right to see their official birth certificates! It’ll be made official next year.’

Edward shrugged, saying nonchalantly, ‘It makes no difference to me. I have nothing to hide.’

‘She…she isn’t…?’

‘No, Delia, and now you’re going to have to eat your words.’

She slumped, shaking her head. ‘I’m sorry, I…thought…’

‘Yes, you’ve made it perfectly clear what you thought, but it’s too late for apologies. Now if you don’t mind, I’m busy,’ he said, about to close the door.

‘Edward…wait…’

‘No, Delia, in future anything you have to say to me must be through our solicitors.’ And with that, he firmly closed the door.

Smiling, Edward went back to the kitchen, picking up details of a house. He read through them again. The house was in Chelmsford, Essex, and he was sure that Jenny would like it. It would be a bit of a nuisance changing offices, but his company had a branch there and in fact had told him that an opening was coming up for a new static, regional manager. He smiled…it felt like this was meant to be, that everything was going his way. He was safe.

Jenny found that she liked working for Nuala and Finn. The work wasn’t overtaxing and after doing the cleaning that followed breakfast, she had time off in the afternoon and again after dinner in the evening. She took the opportunity to explore Limerick, discovering that it was spread over both sides of the River Shannon, the city overlooked by Woodcock Hill to the north, and the Silvermine Mountain in the east.

The countryside around Limerick beckoned, but
Jenny knew that she would have to put off her search for the time being, at least until Bridget came back. In some ways, she found the delay didn’t matter, for a sort of contentment had begun to enfold her. She was becoming increasingly fond of Nuala and Finn, and of the regular guests too, all nice men who had come to work in Limerick and who, with no home of their own, had turned the bed and breakfast into some sort of facsimile of one. In fact, she was beginning to feel like she was part of a large family, and was almost sorry to think that, with Nuala’s ankle almost better, and Bridget sure to return any day now, her brief sojourn would be soon over.

‘Jenny, Jenny,’ Nuala said, her eyes shining as Jenny went back to start on the evening meal. ‘We’ve just heard that Kaitlin’s had her baby and it’s a boy. I had a feeling it would be.’

‘That’s wonderful,’ Jenny enthused. She had learned that Kaitlin was Nuala’s daughter, one who had come late in Nuala’s life after four sons, who had now grown up and seemed to be scattered everywhere.

‘Can you manage on your own?’ asked Nuala. ‘I can’t wait to get to the hospital to see him.’

‘Of course,’ Jenny said. Seeing Nuala hesitate, she urged, ‘Go on, I’ll be fine.’

‘Jenny, you’re still a blessing,’ she said. ‘Come on, Finn. Let’s be off to see our grandson.’

Jenny watched them leave, Nuala barely needing
her stick now, and then she went into the kitchen to see that the potatoes had already been prepared. Nuala was managing to do more and more these days, and though Jenny knew she should be pleased, she wasn’t really, only saddened that she wouldn’t be needed for much longer.

Dinner was almost ready by the time Nuala and Finn returned, both very excited.

‘Oh, wait till you see him, Jenny. He’s just perfect. Kaitlin and Donal are so happy.’

‘Does he have a name yet?’

‘Yes, Aiden.’

‘That’s nice. I like it.’

‘I see you’ve got everything ready,’ Nuala said, smiling.

‘You didn’t leave me much to do.’

‘Get away with you. There was still the gammon to finish off, the cabbage to cook and tables to be laid.’

‘Only five.’

‘There’ll be a lot more in the summer, we’re always full then.’

‘I won’t be here in the summer.’

Nuala sat down, placing her stick beside her, her expression now one of sadness. ‘I know, but I’m going to miss you.’

‘Jenny’s been good to stay as long as she has,’ said Finn. ‘And you know she wants to be off searching for that home.’

‘Yes, but sorry, Jenny, it seems that Bridget still isn’t fully recovered,’ Nuala said with a smile of satisfaction. ‘And as my foot is still paining me, you can’t go yet.’

Jenny smiled. She knew that Nuala’s foot was almost better, but it was lovely to think that the older woman didn’t want her to leave yet. She heard the sound of chairs scraping in the dining room, and quickly began to dish up.

With a new baby to celebrate, the evening meal soon turned into a party and it was much later when Jenny finally went to bed, giggling and decidedly tipsy, but happy. After all she’d been through–a marriage that had been a farce, the loss of her baby, being told to move out and then robbed, she had left England in fear and deeply unhappy. Working for Nuala and Finn had helped to take her mind off it, and Jenny drifted off to sleep, at that moment wanting to stay with them for ever.

‘Finn, I dread telling her,’ Nuala said nearly a week later.

‘I know. You’ve grown fond of her.’

‘I wish she could stay. I mean, my foot…’

‘I know what you’re doing, but it won’t work. Your foot is fine now, and at this time of year we can’t afford to pay both of them.’

‘Kaitlin won’t be back for a while yet.’

‘Nuala, she won’t be needed until the summer.’

‘Shush, she’s coming,’ Nuala warned, and moments later Jenny walked into the room.

‘Did you have a nice walk?’ Nuala asked, trying to force brightness into her tone.

She obviously failed as Jenny answered, ‘Yes, but what’s wrong?’

‘Sit down,’ Finn said, ‘we’ve got something to tell you.’

As though she sensed what was coming, Jenny said, ‘Bridget’s coming back.’

‘Yes, on Monday.’

‘And…and your ankle’s better.’

‘Well…’

‘Now then,’ Finn warned. ‘You know it’s fine now.’

‘Yes, yes, ’tis better,’ Nuala reluctantly admitted. ‘I’m sorry, Jenny.’

‘What for? I said I’d help out for a while and knew it wasn’t permanent.’

‘You don’t have to leave, you could stay here as a guest,’ Nuala said hopefully.

‘I’d love to, but I can’t. I…I really do want to find my mother’s grave.’

Nuala nodded sadly. Finn was right; she’d grown very fond of Jenny and would miss her. There was something about her, something lost that brought out the mother in her. Perhaps it was that Jenny was on this mission, a sad one, travelling alone, and now she said anxiously, ‘Will you keep in touch, Jenny, let me know how you get on?’

‘Yes, if you’d like me to.’

‘I would, and if you come back to the city, we’ll always find a room for you.’

Jenny bent down and Nuala felt soft lips on her cheek. ‘Thanks, and I’m going to miss you.’

Nuala took Jenny’s hand. ‘I’ll still want a hand until Monday. Don’t be running off yet.’

‘I didn’t intend to,’ she said, a choke in her voice as she went to the sink. ‘I…I’ll get on with dinner. How many have we got to cater for?’

‘Just six,’ Nuala said, finding that she too was close to tears. In such a short time Jenny had become like a part of their family, and saying goodbye to her would be like saying goodbye to one of their own.

Robin was white-faced on Saturday morning, unable to believe his ears.

‘What do you mean, it’s over?’

‘I’m sorry,’ Julia said. ‘I’ve met someone else, and it made me realise that I…I don’t really love you.’

‘Julia, you can’t do this. We’ve made so many plans.’

‘I know, but surely it’s better to find out now?’

‘Don’t do this! We’re supposed to be leaving here after our final exams, getting married in South Africa.’

‘I don’t want to marry you now.’

‘Who is he? Do I know him?’

‘It…it’s Stuart.’

‘What?’ Robin exclaimed. Stuart was one of his flatmates, a so-called friend. ‘How long has this been going on?’

‘A…a few months.’

Robin’s jaws ground. In all that time he hadn’t spotted a thing. Stuart was good looking, often had girls in his room, and to think that one of them had been Julia made his stomach clench as though he’d been punched in the gut.

‘You’ve been sleeping with him?’

She nodded, whispering, ‘Yes.’

‘Huh, another one he’s added to his harem.’

‘It’s not like that. Stuart isn’t seeing anyone else now.’

‘I didn’t take you for a fool, Julia,’ Robin said, hoping to salvage something of his pride before he walked away. ‘You’re just one of a long list, but he’s welcome to you.’

‘You’re wrong, he loves me…’

‘Mug,’ Robin spat over his shoulder. He stormed away, heading back to his flat, but there was no sign of Stuart there. The bastard had left Julia to tell him and was obviously keeping out of his way. However, as Robin paced the room, it began to sink in that he was more upset by his so-called friend’s betrayal than the fact that Julia had broken up with him.

With the wind taken out of his sails, he sat down. He’d thought himself in love with Julia, was looking forward to going to live in South Africa, the job he’d been offered a brilliant one. Was that it? Had he been so blinded by ambition, by the life that was opening up to him, that he hadn’t noticed that he was more in love with the concept of the job than the girl?

In no mood now to have it out with Stuart, Robin began stuffing things into an overnight bag. He’d go home for the weekend, cool off, pick up the pieces and make new plans…Yes, but where was home
now? In his mother’s rented flat or in what was, until it was sold, his father’s house?

Jenny too was making plans. She would be here for the weekend, but was unable to imagine staying on any longer after that, having to see Bridget doing what for a while had been a job she loved. It was time to move on.

‘Nuala, would you mind if I make a call to England? Jenny asked. ‘I’ll pay the charges.’

‘Bless you, of course I don’t mind.’

She went out to the small reception desk and rang the number, finding her father excited to hear from her.

‘Jenny, at last,’ he said. ‘Are you on your way home?’

‘No, Dad, I’m still in Limerick. It’s a huge city and I don’t think the home for fallen women is here. Was it somewhere on the outskirts?’

‘I…I think so,’ stammered Edward.

‘Then why on earth did you send me to the city?’

‘Jenny, it was a long time ago and I couldn’t remember exactly where it was.’

‘You must have some idea.’

‘I, er…I think it was close to a village, but can’t recall the name.’

‘Was it to the north of the city, the east, or what?’

‘I’m not sure, perhaps south.’

‘All right, I’ll head in that direction.’

‘Jenny, no, you’ve been away for a month now. It’s time you came home.’

‘Dad, I’m not coming back to Wimbledon.’

‘But you won’t have to, at least not for long. I’ve found a house in Essex.’

‘When are you moving there?’

‘I hope in a few weeks. Jenny, I’ve done this for you, darling, to give you a fresh start.’

Sudden tears flooded Jenny’s eyes. A part of her wanted to go home, to run to her father, to live in Essex, away from all the bad memories, but the other part was still desperate to find her mother’s grave. She fumbled for a piece of paper and picked up a pen.

‘All right, give me the address and I’ll come there, but first I have to lay flowers on my mother’s grave.’

‘What if you don’t find it?’

Jenny didn’t even want to think about that. ‘Dad, I’ve got to go, just give me the new address.’

Edward continued to argue, but when Jenny insisted that she’d have to hang up he finally gave in and she wrote the address down.

‘Thanks, and bye, Dad.’

‘Jenny—’

She replaced the receiver, ran up to her room, grabbed her map, and went back to the kitchen to spread it on the table. So many names…so many villages.

‘It makes me sad to see you looking at that
thing,’ Nuala said as she walked in and flopped onto a chair. ‘It reminds me that you’ll be leaving us soon.’

‘Yes, on Monday.’

‘Jenny, ’tis a hard task you’ve set yourself.’

‘I know, but though my father couldn’t remember the exact place, at least I have a direction now.’

Nuala looked at the map, smiled and pointed. ‘Kilkee, I was born and married there. ’Tis a beautiful place, one to soothe your soul.’

‘Why did you leave?’

‘Finn came from here, and when his parents died we took over the place.’

‘You must miss it.’

‘I do, sorely, though I go back occasionally to see my family. As I said, ’tis beautiful, next to the sea with a wonderful sandy, horseshoe-shaped beach that stretches for about a mile. It’s a very popular place for holidays.’

Jenny frowned. It sounded similar to the place she’d seen in her dream, but then she shook off the thought. It was just a coincidence and she had to head south, not to the coast. She looked at the map again, decided on a route and then folded it, hoping that at last she’d find the place she was looking for. It would be awful saying goodbye to Nuala on Monday, the thought painful, but she had to leave…had to find her mother’s grave.

‘Robin, I wasn’t expecting you,’ Delia said in surprise, though she was happy to see her son.

‘Hello, Mummy.’

‘Come on in. You look half starved and I’ll get you something to eat,’ she said, regarding Robin worriedly.

‘Probably because of a diet that consists mainly of baked beans.’

‘What! Is that all you eat?’

‘Only kidding,’ Robin said as he flopped onto the sofa. ‘I manage on a bit more that that.’

‘I’m glad to hear it, but why didn’t you let me know you were coming?’

He shrugged. ‘Last-minute decision.’

Delia was pleased the meal she had just finished cooking would stretch to two and gave her son the lion’s share. By the time they had finished eating, however, she was looking at Robin, frowning.

‘What’s wrong, darling? You’re awfully quiet.’

‘It’s nothing; just that I’ve broken up with my girlfriend.’

‘You once mentioned a girl called Julia, is that the one?’

‘Yes, and she’s been the
only
one, until now. I was going to marry her.’

‘Marry her! And just when were you going to tell me?’

‘It was complicated.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘She’s South African and after my finals I was going to move there and work for her father.’

‘You were going to South Africa!’ Delia cried, astounded.

‘Yes, but you needn’t worry. As I said, we’ve broken up.’

‘I suppose I should say I’m sorry, but I…I can’t. After hearing that, I’m only relieved.’

‘It was a good job, one that would have taken me straight to the top and you could have visited us–even stayed if you liked it.’

‘Yes, well, it seems it isn’t going to happen now,’ Delia said as she gathered up the plates.

‘How are
you
doing, Mummy? Have you spoken to Dad again?’

‘No, and I don’t intend to. Last time I rang him, I said I was sorry again, admitted I was wrong, but he doesn’t want me back, and that’s that. I’m going to move on now, start that business I mentioned ages ago.’

‘Do you need any help?’

‘Get your exams out of the way first, darling. You never know, you could end up working for me! I’m going to need a good accountant.’

Robin smiled at last. ‘Thanks, but even though the job in South Africa has fallen through, I have higher ambitions.’

‘I’m glad to hear it. Nevertheless, if I’m really
successful, I might eventually need more than an accountant. I might want you as a partner.’

‘Now that sounds more promising.’

‘You needn’t look so amused. I just might surprise you.’

‘I hope you do; in fact I wish you every success.’

‘Thank you, darling,’ Delia said, kissing her son on the top of his head, though still shocked that Robin had been planning on going to South Africa. She felt full of relief that he wasn’t now, and that he’d chosen to stay with her rather than his father this weekend.

Edward might have Jennifer–his
adopted
daughter, as she now accepted the girl was–but Delia still had her son. She knew that she could have lost Robin when she’d told him the truth, but he’d understood, had stood beside her, and for that Delia counted her blessings. Her marriage was over and she had to think about her future now. As long as it included Robin, that was all that mattered to her.