Midnight (19 page)

Molly gave her a shove. ‘I’m telling you for the last time. Back off!’

‘Says who? I don’t take kindly to warnings, and besides, this is a private party. You’ve got no right to be here. Bugger off, before I call security!’ With a stomach full of booze and a head that felt three times its size, Jan had an overwhelming need to be sick.

When Molly slapped her hard across the face, it came as a shock. Furious, Jan hit out with everything she’d got – fists, feet and knees. Soon the two of them were writhing on the floor – until Jan brought up the contents of her stomach, the sight and stench of which sent Molly diving for cover.
‘You filthy animal!’
she screeched, disgusted.

Suddenly, Jack was there calling for someone to help Jan inside. Taking Molly by the arm, he demanded, ‘what the devil are you doing here?’

‘I’m here to make up with you, Jack,’ Molly whined. ‘I know I’ve been an absolute cow. I should never have burst into the showroom like that, and I’m truly sorry. I want us to get back together, Jack. At least, let’s talk about it properly. Away from here.’

‘As you may have realised,’ said Jack curtly, ‘this party is to celebrate my promotion. In a short time, there’ll be a presentation, and I can’t just go swanning off with you, Molly. Especially when I know, from past experience, it would be a waste of time anyway.’

Molly was desperate, ‘It won’t be. Honestly. I’ve given this a lot of thought, and I miss you so much, I’ll do anything to have it all as it was before. Please, Jack.’

Jack was sorry that she was genuinely upset, but he knew Molly, and he knew the score. However, because he still had feelings for her, he listened to what she had to say. ‘So, what happened to Mal?’ he asked. ‘I thought you had a thing going with him. Weren’t you getting married?’

‘It was just me being angry with you, Jack. It didn’t mean anything.’

‘Does Mal know that?’

‘Yes,’ she lied.

‘And you’re ready to come up north with me?’

Her hesitation gave him his answer, but he asked again. ‘It’s a straightforward question, Molly, and I would like a straightforward answer. Are you, or are you not, ready to move up to Lancashire with me?’

But still she wouldn’t give him an answer. ‘Well, it’s obvious that nothing has changed,’ he said. ‘You have no intention of giving an inch. You want to keep your house, your job and your life here, which is your choice. But I have a choice too, and now that I’ve made it, I’m not about to change my mind. It seems that while you’re prepared to give up nothing, you want me to give up my plans – hand back my promotion and turn my back on the only hope I’ve ever had of getting at the truth of these nightmares.’ His voice was heavy with regret as he told her, ‘I really thought you would be behind me all the way, Moll. If you truly love me, like you say you do, then you wouldn’t be trying to put every obstacle in my way, instead of helping me.’

Realising every word he said was the truth, Molly began to panic. ‘No, Jack! You need to hear what I’m saying, that’s all.’

‘Oh, I am, Molly. I’m hearing you loud and clear. I still love you – I can’t deny that. But I’m not prepared to dance to your tune for the rest of my life. Can you understand what I’m saying, Molly? Do you even
want
to understand?’

‘Please, Jack.’ The tears began to flow. ‘Don’t do this to me.’

It hurt Jack to see her this way, but he knew he was right to leave, to do what he had set out to do. ‘I’m sorry it’s come to this, but at least let’s part on good terms, eh?’

Molly looked up at him, at that familiar, handsome face, with those sincere, kindly eyes, and knew she would never find anyone like him again. ‘I can’t uproot myself, Jack,’ she said. ‘I’ve worked so hard for what I’ve got, and I can’t let it go.’

Jack gave a sad little smile. ‘But you can let
me
go, eh?’

‘No, Jack. You’re the one leaving. Not me.’

‘Yes, Molly, that’s very true, but I have my reasons, as well you know – better than anyone.’ His voice softened, ‘So, it looks like the end of the road for you and me. I’m sorry about that, Molly. Really, I am.’

Without a word, Molly reached into her handbag and gave him back his key. She turned away with a parting jibe: ‘You could never have loved me, or you wouldn’t be leaving me behind.’

He watched her go, and his heart was heavy. There was no denying that they had deep feelings for each other, but try as they might, they could not find a way to be together. And that was the hard truth of it.

Downhearted, he made his way back inside.

Outside, Molly lingered for a while, half-tempted to go after him, yet reluctant to do so. Instead, she found herself accepting that their relationship really was over. She felt bitter and used, hoping that he would come to regret his decision to leave her behind.

So many questions flitted through her mind. Why was it that every time she found a man she truly cared for, he always left her sooner or later?

She asked herself, ‘Is it me? Is there something about me that puts men off?’ For the life of her, she could not understand it. ‘I reckon I’m good-looking, and I keep myself smart. I’ve got a good job with prospects, and I’m nobody’s fool. I stand up for myself and I make decisions. So, why do they always leave me?’

She felt sorry. Sorry for herself. Sorry for her predicament, and her failures. But it was not her fault. None of it was her fault. ‘I’m coming up to thirty, and I need someone to be with me . . . to share my life and do the things I like to do.’

Being without Jack scared her.

Being on her own scared her even more.

After a time, when the night air made her shiver, she headed across the courtyard to her car. Once there, she unlocked the door and got in, but she didn’t start the engine straight away. Instead, she sat in the driver’s seat, wrapped her arms round the steering-wheel and, laying her head on her arms, she sobbed as though her heart would break.

What was left for her now? Where could she go from here? Eventually, looking in the driver’s mirror, she wiped away her tears. Assuring herself that her misery was all Jack’s fault, a terrible anger rose in her. ‘I’ll teach him a lesson he won’t forget!’ she vowed. ‘Somewhere along the way he’ll want me back – and then he’ll find it won’t be so easy. Oh yes! I still have cards to play. You’re gonna be sorry, Jack Redmond. Sorry that you ever let me go.’

With a turn of the key, she started the engine, then accelerated away at speed, pleased that she had thought of a way to hit back at him. Congratulating herself on devising such a clever little plan, she could hardly wait to get back home. First though, she stopped off at the pub for a drink, and a chance to get her thoughts together. ‘Just the one,’ she told the barman. ‘I’m driving.’ Normally she might have a couple. But tonight, she had to keep her wits about her.

Some time later, when she pulled up in the drive, the house was in darkness. A quick glance at the dashboard clock told her it was almost 11 p.m. ‘It’s a bit early for the boys to be asleep,’ she muttered, climbing out to lock the car. ‘Maybe they’re out, but they never told me they had plans.’ Lately, Mal seemed to stay over more than she wanted, but when he and Brian were working on a project, they worked day and night, poring over plans and finance. It irritated her. In truth, just lately everything irritated her.

A moment later she entered the hallway to find the entire house in darkness. ‘I thought I told Brian to always leave a light on when he goes out,’ she muttered crossly. Switching on the light, she slammed her keys onto the hallway table and, throwing off her jacket, went into the kitchen. When she switched on the light there, she got a fright because Brian was sprawled across the table.

‘Hey!’
Brian had been fast asleep across the table. ‘Who’s that? What’s going on? . . . Oh, it’s you, Sis. I must have fallen asleep.’ Littered across the table was a sea of paperwork, with an open notebook alongside, into which he’d scribbled copious notes. ‘What’s the time?’ Rubbing his eyes, he looked up at the wall-clock.

‘Time you got some proper sleep.’ Molly had no sympathy for him. ‘Look at you! What d’you think you’ll achieve, staying up till all hours, dozing over your work?’

‘Aw, don’t start nagging me. Mal stayed and we got a lot of work done. He’s such a lightweight – he went off to bed ages ago. Hope it’s OK with you that he’s stayed? I said it was OK.’ Brian gave her one of his little-boy smiles. ‘Are you making a drink?’

‘No.’

‘Aw, go on, Sis. I know you always have a hot chocolate before you go to bed.’

‘Not tonight, I’m too tired.’

‘Well, my throat’s parched, so
I’m
having a drink. I’ll make you one while I’m at it, if you like?’

Molly declined. ‘I’m going to bed. Goodnight, then. And don’t stay down here too long. Not if you want a clear head in the morning.’ With that, she headed for the stairs.

On the landing, she thought of her plan, and for one minute it seemed so drastic, she wondered how Mal might take it. Then she thought of Jack and how he had dumped her, and her hackles were up.

Once in her bedroom, she stripped off her clothes. Then she sauntered into the bathroom, where she freshened up, sprayed a little perfume over her nakedness and, running a little light mousse through her hair, fluffed it up about her face. The smallest suggestion of eye-shadow. A delicate dash of lipstick, and she was ready.

Across the landing, Mal was in the spare boxroom, fast asleep, when he sensed the duvet being lifted. Startled, he opened his eyes, and she was all over him, kissing his neck, his chest; her body writhing, warm and silky, against him.

In the half-light from the window, he realised it was Molly, and he could hardly believe it.

When he opened his mouth to speak, she placed her finger over his lips. ‘Do you still want to marry me?’ she purred.

Unable to speak, Mal nodded.

‘Have you still got the diamond ring you bought,?’

‘Yes.’ He assumed he must be in heaven, that she was an angel and he would wake up any minute. ‘Are you saying you’ve changed your mind about marrying me?’ he asked drowsily.

She smiled sweetly. ‘Why do you think I’m here . . . in your bed?’

Mal found it hard to believe. Having her here like this, hearing her say she wanted to be his wife, was like his every wish come true. When he took her in his arms, with her words of love ringing in his ears, he was the happiest man in the world.

If only he’d realised, that even in the throes of making love, Molly felt no affection or joy. Nor even the smallest sense of guilt for her betrayal of this kindly man who adored her unconditionally.

What she felt was deep regret – at losing Jack. At the same time, she felt a sense of triumph, that her plan of revenge would soon be accomplished. In fact, she was determined to become Mrs Malcolm Shawncross as quickly as possible. Poor Mal was simply a means to an end. It was Jack she wanted. But first, she needed to punish him.

And if Mal got hurt in the process? Well, that was too bad. At times like these, there were always casualties.

Chapter Twelve

T
HOMAS TOOK HIS
old jacket off the hall-stand and shrugged it on. He then put on his cap and wrapped his black-and-white chequered scarf round his neck. On this bright June morning it wasn’t really cold outside, but he was taking the lovely Eileen out, and he wanted to look his best.

She was decent and trusting, and it truly hurt him to see her the way she was. In a way, though, it was a merciful thing, he thought, because it prevented her from remembering all the bad things in her past. All the bad things that other people like him were doomed to relive time and again, through memories that were etched on their souls for all time.

Thomas wanted to believe that Eileen had escaped that kind of torment. He himself would never have that measure of peace, because far too much had happened over the years for him to ever forget, or forgive.

From childhood to manhood, Thomas Farraday could recall each and every regrettable thing that had been done by him and to him over the years. When, as a boy, he had been bullied at home by his father, and then at school by his own classmates, the only way he could protect himself and avoid being singled out was to turn the tables and become a bully himself.

He was haunted by one particular incident, when a crowd of boys waited for him outside school one day, and menacingly crowded round him, intent on doing him harm. Terrified, he had reacted by tearing into them before they could start attacking him – and in the chaos, one of the boys was sent reeling backwards into the road. The car that was passing had no chance of stopping, and the boy was run over; he suffered injuries that put him in hospital for weeks. Afterwards, no one knew who had actually hit him during the scuffle, but there was an investigation and severe reprimands for all. Suddenly, bullying was a thing of the past, and no one was more relieved than Thomas. Except he still had to go home to his violent father every night, and to this day, he looked on that terrible situation as his right and just punishment.

When he met Rose Willis, the lovely fair-haired girl who would later become his wife, it was as though everything in his life had come right at long last. The years fled by and their love grew stronger, but sadly, they were not blessed with children. That was something Thomas had longed for. To be a father who could rear his children with love and respect, to be a friend and confidante, someone who would show them the way. But it was not to be, and in time he came to accept that.

But then later, when Rose’s mother took ill, for weeks on end he was left alone, while she travelled the considerable distance to Lancaster to be there for her ailing mother. Of course he understood, but when he suggested bringing her mother home so the two of them could take care of her together, his wife would have none of it. She claimed it was her duty to keep her mother in the home she knew and loved, and of course he had to accept that decision, but what really hurt him was that she chose to visit alone.

When he offered to take time off from work, to go with Rose, she always refused, saying her mother was growing increasingly nervous and difficult, and that him being there would only upset her. And so, her visits to her mother grew longer, and he grew increasingly lonely, every minute of the day and night that she was away from him.