Chapter 41: Chapter 41

When the party dies down a little, while we are still gathered together, I decide to tackle the elephant in the room. “Of course, this all begs the question of why Klempner said what he did to Charlotte….”

Her champagne bubbles burst, and her face turns serious. “I felt as soon as he spoke, that he had some kind of grudge against me. He said it was because of Jenkins getting killed, that he held me to blame for that. But it didn’t feel right. I’m sure he was lying about that. If his grudge was actually with my mother, or my mother and father…”

Beth sits, hands neatly folded as she listens. And Richard is intent as Michael interrupts her. “I should mention, Charlotte, that this isn’t the only information that Will is trying to find. When these came to light, I also asked him, and he agreed, to try to have any other family connections checked. None came to light….”

Richard raises a forefinger. “However,” he says, “now that we know there is a family connection, and we have a starting point, we can start a proper search on your behalf.”

Beth is nodding enthusiastically. “I was always a little surprised, Beth” I comment, “that with such a similarity between the two of you, that you didn’t ask your family if there might be a connection?”

She looks a little sheepish, her cheeks colouring up. “Actually, I did. They were a bit close-mouthed, but eventually, I got it that my grandfather’s brother, George, had a bit of a reputation for, er….”

“Climbing back-yard fences and bedroom windows?” suggests Michael. Her blush deepens at his little-

boy-wicked smile. Richard looks amused at his wife’s discomfiture “Er, yes,” she admits. “Something like that. No-one really wanted to talk about it very much. There was a bit of a conspiracy of silence.”

Michael bursts out laughing, along with me and Richard. Charlotte looks peeved, heat in her eyes. “So, you thought I might be your er.…”

I run a quick family tree through my head…. “Second cousin…” I offer.

She nods me an acknowledgement but still looks annoyed. “Yes.… illegitimate second cousin? And you didn’t say anything?”

Beth rocks her head back and forth. “Well, I had no proof except that everyone says we look alike.

Having those papers changes everything. I can ask my family properly now.”

*****

Six Years Ago Jenny sits in the kitchen of her tiny new home, staring into the fire. Although the May days are warm and full of promise, the mornings are still cold, and Chad lit the fire for her, early, before going….

somewhere….

She sits close to the hearth, wrapped in a blanket, hugging herself.

There is a rap at the door, then a hesitation.

Jenny’s eyes dart to the door. She doesn’t want to answer, doesn’t want to see anyone. The door rat-

tats again.

She remains silent, turning away, back to the fire, hoping whoever it is will go away if she doesn’t speak, but after a long moment, the door creaks open. Mrs Collier eases in with a tray, looking carefully through to be sure she not…. disturbing the newlyweds.

But all she sees is her young fosterling, now a young woman, her back turned as she watches flames dance and leap.

“Breakfast I thought for the young couple,” she says in a cheerful voice, bustling in to place the tray on the table. “Didn’t want you having to cook on your first morning.”

“Thank you,” whispers Jenny, but she doesn’t turn.

Mrs Collier regards the back of Jenny. Any fool could hear in that voice that something is wrong. And Mrs Collier is not a fool.

“Jenny? Are you alright?” She looks around. “Where’s Chad?”

“He…. went out.” Jenny has trouble forming the words through her swollen throat.

“Jenny, what’s wrong?”

No response. “Jenny, look at me.”

Still Jenny does not move, so Mrs Collier does, crossing the room to take the other chair by the hearth and to see Jenny’s face.

And what she sees are red and swollen eyes, swimming with tears; a face blotched and puffy, and misery overlaying it all.

The woman takes her hand, snagging another chair, sitting down close. “Jenny? Whatever’s wrong?”

Jenny swallows, tries to speak then simply bends into herself, hugging her knees and sobbing.

“Jenny, what happened? Last night was it?” Then, with a sigh, “Ah, Sweets. It was your first time after all wasn't it?”

Jenny looks up, doesn’t speak, looks away again.

Mrs Collier takes her other hand, holds the pair closed in her fingers. “And there we all were, assuming you and Chad had been.... You know I stopped calling the pair of you down from the haybarn months ago because I thought you wanted some privacy.”

Jenny whispers the words. “We were just talking. It’s all we ever did.”

“I wish I’d realised. Listen, Jenny, last night, did he hurt you? I’m quite sure he wouldn’t have meant to.”

Jenny’s face crumples once more, the tears flowing again. Mrs Collier strokes her fingers, tries to stroke away the distress. “Don't worry. It's only the first time it hurts. You'll be fine next time.”

Her words don’t seem to help. The woman rocks back into her chair, perplexed. “Chad's a good lad. He loves you. He'll understand. I'll get his father to have a word with him, eh? Explain a thing or two.”

“No!” For the first time, Jenny really reacts. “No, you mustn’t.”

Mrs Collier shakes her head, lips pressed. “It’s your call, Jenny. I’ll not do anything you don’t want me to. But it will be alright, you’ll see. When two people are as close as you and Chad, it works itself out in the end. Now….” She stands, hands on hips. “You go wash your hands and face. You look a fright. And come have some breakfast before it goes cold. I’ll see if I can find Chad. He should be here, having breakfast with you. No work for you two today.”

She steps smartly outside, calling. “Chad…. Chad, where are you my lad?”

When he emerges from the stables, he approaches cautiously.

Mrs Collier, marches on him, bossy and matter-of-fact. “You get back in there my lad. Your new wife needs you.”

“I was just seeing to Charlie. I thought….”

“I’ll look after the horses today. Your place is in there. She’s crying her eyes out. Whatever happened last night between you, it’s up to you to sort it out.” She takes him by the shoulder, steering him towards the door.

“But….”

“No arguments. Get inside there. There’s breakfast waiting for you.”

He nods, reluctant and sombre. Mrs Collier watches, her eyes following until he pushes open the door and enters.

How did it go so wrong for them last night?

*****