The Couple at No. 9(100)

‘That’s right,’ says Ralph, his father’s solicitor. He has a deep voice and Theo imagines he’s the kind of person who enjoys a fine wine and nights at the opera, although he’s never met the guy. ‘Because of the seriousness of the charges. He’s on remand until the trial. He’s been charged with murder as well as sexual assault.’

‘And what about the fertility fraud?’ Theo still doesn’t have all the pieces of the puzzle, just what they’ve managed to fit together from the evidence Saffy found.

‘Yes, that looks likely too. Although it’s more of a grey area. Thanks to all the press interest, a number of women have come forward to the CPS. He’s been doing it for years.’

Theo feels sick. Those women’s photos he’d found in his dad’s study had been a catalogue. A way for him to remember exactly whom he’d artificially inseminated with his own sperm. The other women, the ones in the folder Saffy found … He can’t bear to think about that.

Ralph must mistake Theo’s silence for concern because he says, ‘I’m sorry, it doesn’t look good for your father. I’ve advised manslaughter when it comes to Caroline as he says he didn’t mean to kill her, that it was an accident. That they’d argued, she was going to leave him, and he’d pushed her in anger. She’d stumbled and fallen down the stairs. If he pleads guilty, there’ll be no trial, but you know what your father’s like.’ Theo feels a lump in his throat at the sound of his mother’s name. It hadn’t taken his father long to admit his crime. It had surprised Theo. He’d believed his dad would go to his grave protesting his innocence. But it seems that the evidence had been too much for him to deny: Glen Davies’s testimony of a confession, his alibi not holding up to more scrutiny and a neighbour remembering talking to his father that morning, later than the time he said he’d left for work.

‘What about Rose’s murder?’

‘Police are still combing through the evidence on that one. In the letter that Saffron Cutler handed in, Rose writes that she was scared Victor had found her, that she saw him in the garden on Bonfire Night. But the letter ends after that. We can assume, of course, that he did find her and that was why she’d never had the chance to finish the letter. But obviously that might not be enough for the court. However, a witness, a Melissa Brown, has said that a man fitting Victor’s description had been looking for Rose in the days before she disappeared. We’ll keep you updated.’

‘And what about Cynthia Parsons?’

‘Not enough evidence to suggest her death wasn’t suicide,’ he says.

At least he’s admitted to causing Mum’s death, thinks Theo. If only he’d admit to killing Rose, Lorna and Saffy would have peace of mind.

‘He’s asked me if you’d like to visit him,’ says Ralph, his voice suddenly tentative.

‘He killed my mother,’ says Theo. ‘I hope he rots in jail.’ From the garden Jen is watching him intently although he’s not sure if she can hear what he’s saying.

‘I know. But I had to ask. Anyway, I’ll keep in touch and let you know the court date when your father enters his plea.’

‘Thanks for letting me know,’ Theo says, ending the call. The truth is, he just wants justice. He wants his dad to pay for his crimes. He sinks into a chair, phone still in his hand. A shadow looms over him and he looks up to see Jen standing in the doorway, obscuring the sun.

‘Are you okay, babe?’

Theo nods. His hands are clammy and he drops his phone onto the table.

Jen hops onto his lap and throws her arms around his neck. She smells like coconut sun cream. She doesn’t say anything. She doesn’t have to.

‘I’m related to that bastard,’ he says, with a sigh.

‘You’re nothing like him. You’re all your mum. Remember that. And you’re not alone. Lorna must be feeling the same way now she knows he’s her father.’

‘True.’ Thank goodness for Lorna. He’s spoken to her every few days on the phone since she texted him that night to tell him he’s her brother.

‘Davies has been charged with a number of crimes too,’ he says, pulling Jen closer to him. ‘I get the sense he’s cut some kind of deal but he’s charged with assault and intimidation, not just to Lorna and Saffy but to other women as well. Fraud, pretending to be an officer of the law, breaking and entering – the list goes on.’

He feels Jen shudder.

‘Do you think you’ll go and see your dad?’ she asks gently. ‘Even if it’s just to ask why he argued with your mum? And if it’s true that she was planning to leave him?’

‘I never want to see him again,’ he says with feeling. ‘I hate him. And he’ll never be honest. He’ll never offer up an explanation as to why he did these things. He’ll make excuses, try to blame Mum.’

‘I’m sorry. I can’t even imagine what it must be like.’

At least he’s got Jen, this wonderful woman, Theo thinks. Who’s always been so supportive and whom he trusts implicitly. ‘I think I might call Lorna, update her on all of this.’

‘Sure.’ She squeezes his shoulder affectionately, then jumps down from his lap. ‘I’m going to carry on with my tanning.’ She grins at him over her shoulder as she heads back into the garden. Theo watches her go. Her shoulders have already started to turn red. He knows she won’t be satisfied until she’s sat out there for another hour, at least, despite his warnings of skin cancer. A doctor’s son, after all.