Shane Prince’s whereabouts yet?’ Alex asked cheerfully. ‘Please tell me they’ve remanded him in custody for the mugging of Dr Trevors, so I don’t have to worry about being treated to his uniquely friendly manners when I turn up at his house.’
‘I haven’t heard back from the police yet,’ Wendy replied, ‘but I’ll let you know when I do. Oh, one other thing before you go, I need you to cover for Ben on Friday.’
Alex nearly exploded. ‘You’re kidding me, right? I’m completely inundated ...’
‘It’s all about prioritising,’ Wendy interrupted in a tone that went straight up Alex’s back. ‘The families who can wait will just have to wait a little longer. I’ll give you a call as soon as I’ve sorted out ...’
‘What the hell’s wrong with him?’ Alex demanded. ‘He’s always taking time off.’
‘He’s attending his grandfather’s funeral. Is that good enough for you?’
It might have been if it weren’t the third time in as many months that Ben had been to his grandfather’s funeral, so either the old bloke wasn’t staying buried, or Ben was anout-and-out shafter. ‘So can’t you get some agency staff to cover?’ she cried.
‘What a luxury that would be, but with all these cutbacks I’m afraid it’s out of the question. Now, I think we’ve dealt with everything, so I’ll leave it with you to sort out a mutually convenient time with Lizzie to visit Polly Prince.’
After ringing off Alex felt sorely tempted to call Jason, simply to let off some steam, since he was the only one who’d fully understand why Wendy’s comments about visits to Temple Fields being beneath her were so fatuous and miles wide of the mark. However, he’d have far more important things to do with his day than spend time trying to bring her back from orbit. And actually, she could do it herself, with a few deep breaths and another reminder, albeit grudging, that though Wendy, along with the rest of her colleagues, knew she’d been adopted, they had no idea that she was the child, all grown up now of course, of the notorious Temple Fields killer. Alex guessed if anyone even thought about that tragic little girl these days, and after so long she doubted anyone did, they’d simply assume that she’d either been taken in by someone else from the family, or swallowed up in the care system. And indeed the system had processed her protection and eventual adoption, because no one else from her family had come forward to claim her. This was something she viewed with mixed emotions, since she wouldn’t have wanted anyone from her father’s side to try and grab her into the bosom of their care. However, there had been, and still was, a great-aunt on her mother’s side (her grandfather’s stepsister), who might have taken her in had she not been afraid of the murdering Gavril Albescu, or one of his accomplices, finding out and trying to dispatch her too.
Alex had only discovered about this aunt five years ago, through the Internet, and it had taken months for her to pluck up the courage to write her a letter. It turned out she needn’t have bothered, because the reply she’d got had told her, quite bluntly, that her aunt felt it best for the situation to remain as it was. Nothing good can come of us meeting now , she’d written in a rather childlike hand. There is nothing I can tell you about your mother’s whereabouts. She never stayed in touch, and I can only feel glad of that while your father is still at large. I don’t suppose after all these years that he remains a threat, but I see no point in running the risk. We have our separate lives and families now, and I feel certain that the rector and his wife have proved kind and loving parents to you .
Of course, if your mother does ever get in touch with me and is wishing to re-establish contact with you, I will tell her where to find you .
With my best wishes for your health and happiness
Helen Druffield
With that letter all Alex’s
‘I haven’t heard back from the police yet,’ Wendy replied, ‘but I’ll let you know when I do. Oh, one other thing before you go, I need you to cover for Ben on Friday.’
Alex nearly exploded. ‘You’re kidding me, right? I’m completely inundated ...’
‘It’s all about prioritising,’ Wendy interrupted in a tone that went straight up Alex’s back. ‘The families who can wait will just have to wait a little longer. I’ll give you a call as soon as I’ve sorted out ...’
‘What the hell’s wrong with him?’ Alex demanded. ‘He’s always taking time off.’
‘He’s attending his grandfather’s funeral. Is that good enough for you?’
It might have been if it weren’t the third time in as many months that Ben had been to his grandfather’s funeral, so either the old bloke wasn’t staying buried, or Ben was anout-and-out shafter. ‘So can’t you get some agency staff to cover?’ she cried.
‘What a luxury that would be, but with all these cutbacks I’m afraid it’s out of the question. Now, I think we’ve dealt with everything, so I’ll leave it with you to sort out a mutually convenient time with Lizzie to visit Polly Prince.’
After ringing off Alex felt sorely tempted to call Jason, simply to let off some steam, since he was the only one who’d fully understand why Wendy’s comments about visits to Temple Fields being beneath her were so fatuous and miles wide of the mark. However, he’d have far more important things to do with his day than spend time trying to bring her back from orbit. And actually, she could do it herself, with a few deep breaths and another reminder, albeit grudging, that though Wendy, along with the rest of her colleagues, knew she’d been adopted, they had no idea that she was the child, all grown up now of course, of the notorious Temple Fields killer. Alex guessed if anyone even thought about that tragic little girl these days, and after so long she doubted anyone did, they’d simply assume that she’d either been taken in by someone else from the family, or swallowed up in the care system. And indeed the system had processed her protection and eventual adoption, because no one else from her family had come forward to claim her. This was something she viewed with mixed emotions, since she wouldn’t have wanted anyone from her father’s side to try and grab her into the bosom of their care. However, there had been, and still was, a great-aunt on her mother’s side (her grandfather’s stepsister), who might have taken her in had she not been afraid of the murdering Gavril Albescu, or one of his accomplices, finding out and trying to dispatch her too.
Alex had only discovered about this aunt five years ago, through the Internet, and it had taken months for her to pluck up the courage to write her a letter. It turned out she needn’t have bothered, because the reply she’d got had told her, quite bluntly, that her aunt felt it best for the situation to remain as it was. Nothing good can come of us meeting now , she’d written in a rather childlike hand. There is nothing I can tell you about your mother’s whereabouts. She never stayed in touch, and I can only feel glad of that while your father is still at large. I don’t suppose after all these years that he remains a threat, but I see no point in running the risk. We have our separate lives and families now, and I feel certain that the rector and his wife have proved kind and loving parents to you .
Of course, if your mother does ever get in touch with me and is wishing to re-establish contact with you, I will tell her where to find you .
With my best wishes for your health and happiness
Helen Druffield
With that letter all Alex’s
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