Page 24 of Vengeance is Mine

There was something TARDIS-like about the bungalow. From the outside it had looked like such a tiny building, so I was surprised when I walked along the small hallway and entered the spacious living room. Even with a widescreen TV in the corner, two sofas, a sideboard and a small table and chairs in the opposite corner for having a meal, there was still plenty of walking space. It was tastefully decorated in neutral colours, but there was a hint of sadness in the air. This was not a happy home to live in.

‘Can I get you a drink?’ Anthony asked from the doorway. He looked uncomfortable, a stranger in his own home.

‘I’m fine. Thanks.’

‘Would you like to take a seat?’ He pointed to the sofa with a shaking hand.

I perched on the edge of the sofa, while Anthony took his place on what appeared to be his regular seat, the one closest to the television and next to a small coffee table where a large mug and a plate with crumbs were placed.

‘Is that your wife?’ My eyes had been wandering around the room and landed on a framed photograph on the sideboard. It was a large picture showing Anthony and Carole on their wedding day standing in the doorway of a church.

‘Yes. That’s Carole.’

I picked up the silver frame and looked at my grandmother. She was dressed elegantly in a floor-length, white satin gown. Her hair was flowing down her back along with the sheer veil which was lifted slightly by a breeze. Her skin was smooth, her eyes wide and smiling.

‘Friday, the tenth of July, 1970 that was taken,’ Anthony said.

‘She’s beautiful.’

‘She certainly was.’

‘You look very handsome too. I love the velvet suit.’

‘Thank you.’

‘You look so happy.’

‘We were.’

I replaced the frame and returned to the sofa.

‘When did you find out Dominic is your father?’ Anthony asked, breaking the silence.

‘Last week.’

‘Oh. It must have come as a shock.’

‘You could say that. Mum always said I was the result of a one-night stand and that she couldn’t remember who the boy was. I never questioned it.’

‘What made her tell you the truth?’

‘It was the news of Dominic being released from prison. It had a bit of a strange effect on her.’

‘I see. I don’t think I can be much use to you. I don’t know Dominic that well.’

‘He’s your son.’

Anthony appeared to buckle at the mention of his relationship to the killer. ‘I don’t need reminding.’

‘I’m sorry.’

A silence fell between us, and Anthony’s expression plunged into a deep sadness.

‘I made a stupid mistake,’ he said, wiping away a tear that had formed in the corner of his eye.

‘In what way?’

‘I thought moving away would solve everything. I thought we’d be able to start afresh, a new life, put Dominic and everything behind us. It didn’t work. It backfired.’

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