Page 86 of Judging Duke

“I’m so happy to see you, Duke.” She took my hand and led me into the large kitchen where Dad stood, his hands in the sink. “Look who came to visit?”

She ushered me into a chair and stood at the bottom of the stairs.

“Isla, your brother is home,” she shouted.

I knew it had been a while, but why all the fuss?

“Leon, grab some glasses.” Mum opened the fridge, taking out a jug of juice and setting it on the table.

“I thought I’d stop in. I was visiting the Fletchers.”

“About fucking time,” Isla said, sauntering into the room, a towel wrapped around her head.

“Isla, how many times do I have to tell you? No swearing in the house, or anywhere else, come to that.” Dad hated it, even going so far as to have a swear jar on the bar in the pub.

Men and women alike would apologise and drop a few coins in the jar. Once full, he’d donate it to a local charity.

My parents were good people and definitely didn’t deserve how I’d treated them since leaving. On the drive over, I’d debated telling them anything about my life since leaving home, especially the part about Aunt Debbie’s husband. Even knowing my aunt and uncle had divorced, it still didn’t make it right.

“So, what’s the occasion?” Dad asked, taking a sip from his glass.

“Like I said, I met up with Simon Fletcher in France, and he suggested I visit Robbie. I thought it was time.”

“You met with Simon?” Mum looked shocked, her eyes wide. “That couldn’t have been easy for either one of you.”

“No, Mum, it wasn’t. We’d met a few times before that, actually. For some reason, he kept appearing wherever I was. Anyway, that’s not the sole reason for my visit.”

I picked up my glass, almost downing it in one, my mouth as dry as a sandy desert.

She topped up my glass, and I felt their scrutiny, waiting for me to continue.

I took a deep breath. Where to start?

“You know I ran away the night of Robbie’s accident?”

“We do, but I don’t know why. We would have helped you with whatever happened.” Mum dabbed at her eyes. Isla had said how much she’d struggled, but only now did I feel at peace with what had happened to me. Yes, I’d been selfish, and yes, I could have handled things better.

“I didn’t think there was a way out. Simon had threatened to call the police. I was young and thought I’d end up in prison.Right then, that night, I thought my only option was to run. I’m sorry I didn’t consider you or Dad, nor you Isla.”

By now, I had their full attention. Dad’s face showed no emotion; Mum’s showed it all. Isla looked resigned, already knowing some of what had happened.

“You know I went to stay with Aunt Debbie and that things didn’t work out.” God, this was harder than I thought. No wonder I didn’t want to talk about it.

I swallowed and turned away from them, not wanting to look any of them in the eye as I told them the truth of what had happened.

“Uncle Bill raped me.” It didn’t get any easier to say, and bile once again rose in my throat. I clenched my fists, trying hard to keep my nerve and carry on with the rest of my story.

“No,” Mum cried. “My poor baby.”

“That bastard,” Dad said, breaking his own rule.

“What the fuck?” Isla reached across the table and covered my hand with her own.

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Mum asked, tears flowing freely now.

I shrugged, not knowing how to answer them.

“I tried to tell Aunt Debbie, but I don’t think she believed me. So, I thought no one else would. I’d already brought enough trouble to your door, so I left and went to ground.”

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