Free In the Shadows (The Blaisdell Chronicles) by Katie Welsby Page B

soon became indistinct. I pressed a hand against the windowpane just as the rain started.
    Jen howled with laughter. “And so the blind man said, ‘Sorry, I was just looking around!’ Isn’t that so funny?”
    I turned round briefly, only just remembering she was still there. “Y-yeah, it’s great.”
    What had happened just now? I was irritated at not knowing the answers. I’d have to find out.
    “Lucy? I asked you a question.”
    “Hmm?”
    “I was asking you about your Dad. Have you heard any more from him?”
    “No, I—” I broke off, remembering the letter in my pocket that Derek had handed me yesterday. “Wait a minute. I forgot I had this until you mentioned it.”
    Nathan’s presence had made me forget.
    “Is it from your father?”
    “I don’t know,” I replied, although I had the unsettling feeling it wasn’t just a bank statement. Doubting she’d let it lie, I put my hand in my pocket. Taking it out, I instantly recognised the writing.
     
    Lucy,
    How could you do this to me? Haven’t I suffered enough after being in prison for nearly four years? I know your mother wouldn’t give our marriage another go, and she’s lost to me forever, but you were always the more sensible one. Why couldn’t you just give me one more chance? If you were still unhappy afterwards, I would have left you alone. But you couldn’t even grant me one small wish, could you? No matter. I won’t feel guilty anymore. Everything is on your conscience.
    Roger
     
    I closed my eyes in an attempt to calm my nerves and tensed my body, letting the letter fall to the floor. I was aware of Jen reading it as I paced the room. She caught me before I collapsed, and led me to a chair.  
    “Wait there,” she whispered, and I watched as she busied herself making both of us a hot chocolate .
    Jen brought over the tray with the steaming chocolate in the cups, the jar of marshmallows and the whipped cream can. She sat opposite, reassuring me with a smile. She indicated for me to take the marshmallows and cream, but I shook my head. Jen quickly grabbed the cream, spraying it on the drink, until it was teetering like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. She caught with her finger before it collapsed, licked it off, and dropped a couple of marshmallows on top. As I sipped the warm liquid, soothing as it lined my dry throat, I remembered Ellen’s details on the back of the paper.
    “How did Ellen help you?” I asked.
    Jen considered the question, using a spoon to scoop up the cream. “I always thought Mum would return one day. Even Dad thought so. But as time went on, it became more apparent that she’d forgotten about us altogether. I got angry and started stealing. It was just the odd lipstick or bar of chocolate. Nothing big. Dad had no idea. Too busy wallowing in self-pity. Seemed to forget I even existed. So I kept doing it and believed I could get away with anything. I started hanging around with a bad crowd, who wanted me to steal a car. The night before I had to do it, Ellen found me. I’d been alone in a park, wondering what to do. She said she’d heard my thoughts, and knew she had to reach out to me. She said everything that people do has a consequence, and knew there would be much pain for myself and those I care about, if I carried on down this path. She even showed me what would happen.”
    She abruptly rose, and was about to leave, when she inclined her head over her shoulder.
    “I can’t help but be envious of you. Even though you want to forget your Dad, at least he made the effort. As for my absent parent, well…”
    She walked away, cup in hand. I stared after her, wondering if her mother would ever get in touch.
                 
    I didn’t expect to see a silver glazed Mazda parked outside my house that evening. Still mulling over the identity of the owner, I walked into the kitchen, and was surprised to see Alex sat at the table with Derek, looking over some papers together, whilst Mum poured them some