Page 72 of A Good Heart is Hard to Find
‘What’s the verdict? Did she go, or was she murdered?’
‘She went. You’re guilty about it, but you didn’t do anything to her.’
‘No: except argue, and threaten to throw her out over her affair with Jack Craig, and then not go back that night until too late to ask where she was going.’
‘I know, Orla toldme.’
‘She did?’ He shifted uncomfortably. ‘What, you mean—?’
‘Yes, everything: but I already guessed something had happened between you and Orla, so it wasn’t a huge surprise. And we thought your argument that night with Tanya was probably because she’d taken up with Jack Craig again.’
‘Yes, it was the last straw: she’d promised me she wouldn’t have anything more to do with him, we’d try andstart again, for Tom’s sake. And then she told me … threw back at me …’ He looked at me, his brown eyes full of hurt: ‘I’ve never told anyone this, Cassy, because then everyone would think I’d done away with her, but she said Tom wasn’t my son.’
‘Not yours?’ I exclaimed. ‘Do you think it’s true?’
‘Yes, I’m sure it is. I’ve tried to love the poor brat, God knows, but it’s been an uphill struggle.And now he thinks I’ve done away with his mother. I think he found that easier to believe than that she could abandon him.’
‘Poor Tom! So that’s why you’re always so kind, you’re trying to make it up to him?’
‘Yes – and he’s not entirely bad, you know, Cass. He’s just going through a funny age.’
Yeah, one that’s lasted for nineteen years.
‘So where do you think Tanya went?’ I asked curiously.‘And why hasn’t she been in touch?’
‘That’s what worries me the longer time goes on, and she’s never sent for her things, or used her credit cards or anything. When I found her gone it was nearly morning, and I thought she might be up at the lodge with Jack Craig, but when I knocked him up he said he hadn’t seen her. I hit him anyway,’ he added with satisfaction.
‘Here’s Orla,’ I said. ‘CanI tell her everything?’
‘Yes: I’ve just told Charles, too. No more secrets.’
Little did he know …
When we’d told Orla she made one of her mental quantum leaps and exclaimed impetuously: ‘Cass, now you’re sure Jason’s not a murderer, and Tom’s not his son, what’s to stop you asking him to father your baby?’
‘Nothing, I suppose,’ I said, startled, ‘but I think I’m going right off the idea ofm—’
But Jason’s face had lit up like he’d just been handed a rather extraordinary present. ‘Any time,’ he interrupted enthusiastically. ‘Have you ditched your old man at last, Cass? Couldn’t deliver the goods, I bet. What you need is a good—’
‘No, I don’t!’ I interrupted hastily, and certainly not with Jason, whom I now found I loved like a brother, and so did not wish to sleep with in the least.Besides, I was beginning to think that he and Orla were made for each other if only he could be brought to see it.
‘Hi, Eddie!’ exclaimed Orla, waving at some new arrivals. ‘We don’t often see you in here. Are you joining us? And your friend?’
Turning round, I was pleased to see that Eddie’d put on a T-shirt and sandals. With the rents in his jeans you couldn’t say he looked respectable, butclean and reasonably decent providing he sat down carefully.
‘Hello, Rosetta,’ I said, ‘Your brother was looking for you earlier. This is Dante’s sister,’ I added for Orla and Jason’s benefit, and introduced them.
Rosetta smiled shyly. ‘I’ve seen Dante. I went to get the key of the lodge for Eddie, so he can use it if he wants to.’
‘Yes, I’ve moved my van up to Kedge Hall,’ Eddie explained.‘Parked up behind the lodge. Rosetta wants me to help her do a few things round the house and garden.’
They smiled at each other, hands entwined. It was quite sweet, really. I’d never seen Eddie in love before.
‘Does Dante know?’ I asked.
‘Yes, I told him,’ Rosetta said innocently. ‘He’d asked me to look for a handyman/gardener for the lodge, but I’m sure he didn’t expect me to find one soquickly!’
‘No, it must have been quite a surprise,’ I agreed.
