FRIDAY
The fact that we hadn’t been able to prevent Bella killing herself weighed heavily upon us all. I felt I had completely failed her victims, and even Bella herself, by not having foreseen her intentions.
Worthington had been so angry he hadn’t even bothered to question any of us; he’d packed us off as soon as possible, telling us he’d follow through as necessary, but I’d left Beulah House still not certain what that meant.
With the tragic mess behind us, to the extent it ever would be, our main concern was John.
On what should have been his wedding day, he sat huddled in a blanket on a sofa in his sitting room, struggling to understand how he could have missed seeing his fiancée’s true personality, but still not quite believing her capable of doing what she’d done.
He would chatter incessantly for many minutes – largely to himself, then he’d sit without saying a word – hardly breathing – for what felt like an age. Then the chattering would start all over again.
He’d been the same way all night, since we’d got him home, and now all morning, too.
I backed off after a while, because the sight of me seemed to set him off – which Bud and I agreed was understandable.
Vaseem arrived at John’s house late on Friday morning. He was a big bear of a man, which I hadn’t expected – given Vinnie’s worked-out physique. But what really surprised me was the vitriol with which Vaseem greeted me. Vinnie tried to placate him, but it was clear he held me personally responsible for John’s sorry state, and went so far as to suggest that Bud and I should leave.
We retreated to our room. It was Bud’s suggestion to find out if we could pick up our rental car a day early. We found we could, so we packed, and went upstairs to tell John we were leaving.
His relief was tangible. He even seemed to rally a little.
“Sorry, old man. A lot to deal with,” he said to Bud, as I tucked away the sandwiches Vinnie had insisted upon making for us to eat on our journey; I had no idea why he’d felt we might need them, but at least it gave him something to do while Vaseem was on duty beside John on the sofa, almost growling at me whenever I approached.
John’s voice was thick with tears and emotion, though he forced a smile. “These chaps will see me right.” He surprised me by almost chuckling. “I’d told them at work I’d be on my honeymoon for the next fortnight, so they won’t miss me. No need for any of them to know what’s happened…as long as Worthington sticks to his word and manages to keep it quiet. Of course, my lot being who they are, the chances are they already know all about it. Oh God, what am I going to do? I managed to get through the Lottie thing alright. But this?”
Bud spoke softly. “Is there anything I can do? Anything at all? You only have to say the word. Our friendship means a great deal to me, John, and you know Cait and I owe you so much. We’ll stay, or go, as you choose.”
John said nothing. Vaseem adopted a threatening stance.
Vinnie pulled us aside. “Go on with you. Between Vaseem and me, we’ll take good care of him. Too many cooks, and all that. None of this was your fault, Cait. All you did was bring it out into the light. John – and Vaseem, for that matter – just have to reach the point where they can see that. And that might take a while yet. Go on now, get away with you both. We’ll keep in touch.”
I trusted that John knew we weren’t deserting him; he had two good friends by his side, and I suspected he wouldn’t mind seeing no more of me – the woman who’d revealed his bride-to-be as a psychopathic multiple murderer.
So we left. Everyone cried. All silently.
Once we’d collected the car, I was consoled by traveling the route I’d driven so often out through West London, heading for the M4. As the towers alongside the overpass disappeared into my rear-view mirror, I settled into the slow, grinding traffic pattern.
I knew Wales would offer Bud and me the healing we needed. We only had a few days there, and I was keen to visit places that had soothed me before.
It took until a necessary loo break at the Reading services for Bud to finally say, “Penny for them, Wife?” He spoke tenderly, and reached across my seat to hold my hands.
“They’re worth more than that,” I replied, smiling as best I could. “I can’t even find the words to express how sorry I am for what John’s going through at the moment. I absolutely understand that the ghosts of the Asimov family will probably follow him throughout his life; Bella’s most of all. But all I can say is that I’ll do everything I can to help you through this, because that’s the only thing within my power. So, with that in mind…let’s get to Wales safely, but as soon as possible, and get up early tomorrow to walk on the beach in Gower where we were married. I’ll even recite my vows again, if you like – just the two of us, on the sand, beneath the cliffs, alone.”
“Hmm…my memory’s not as good as yours, so I might have to make mine up as I go along. As appropriate to what I’ve learned about you since then.”
Bud laughed.
I hadn’t heard him laugh for days. It sounded good. Best sound in the world.
“Börje Ulf Dyggve Anderson, I love you.” We kissed.
“…exit, pursued by a bear…"