Chapter 81: Mary Schormann

Ashford, evening: Wednesday, October 22nd

Mary heard the front door bang. She flung the kitchen door open. ‘Where have you been?’ she cried. ‘We’ve all been worried about you.’ She felt for the light-switch but something stopped her, her hand over it. ‘Peter?’ When there was no answer she clicked it on.

For a moment it was too bright and she shielded her eyes with the flat of her hands. When she saw Victoria she thought her heart had stopped. Then, with a sudden leap, it was thundering in her chest.

‘Victoria! Where have you been?’ The relief tumbled quickly over into anger. ‘Where have you been? We’ve all been worried out of our minds. Your father and I have been looking all over Manchester. We searched for you everywhere.’ She flung her arm out. ‘At home, around here. Your father—’ She looked over the girls’ shoulders at the closed door. ‘Is he outside? Is he with you? Have you seen him? He’s been gone all day.’ She stopped, all at once really seeing them for the first time, seeing their faces, their swollen eyes. ‘What is it? What’s wrong? Where’s Peter?’

She saw Linda nudge Victoria. Push her forward.

‘Mum.’ Her daughter faltered. She walked towards Mary, leaving the other two girls watching, apprehension on their faces.

‘Linda?’

‘Let Vicky tell you, Auntie Mary.’ Linda spoke softly.

‘Tell me?’ Mary was bewildered. ‘Tell me what?’ She grabbed Victoria’s shoulders. Shook her. ‘Your father? Where is he?’

‘I’m sorry, Mum.’ Victoria had her fists clenched to her chest.

Dreadful understanding flooded through Mary. ‘He’s had another heart attack, hasn’t he? Which hospital? I’ll get my coat.’ She turned towards the kitchen. The door was crowded with figures: Ted had his hand on Ellen’s shoulder, Patrick stared at Mary over Jean’s head. ‘My coat!’

She spun back towards the girls, noticing for the first time the dishevelled state her daughter was in: her blouse torn at the shoulder, the long rip in her skirt. No shoes.

Mary looked from Victoria’s bare feet to her face. Saw the anguish.

Terror blinded her. She began to shake. ‘No!’ Her legs gave way, folded at the knees. ‘No!’