‘I’d love that.’
As they sipped their tea, Natalie couldn’t help but think about baby Rachel. No wonder Mary didn’t want her to go on about seeing the DNA test results. Rachel didn’t even have her DNA. Natalie swallowed. Everyone now knew the story, it had been rife on social media and the search of Kyle and Mary’s old garden in Polperro was causing a stir. Had their Rachel, the baby who got buried under a sleeping parent, been Alan’s daughter? Maybe she’d never know.
FIFTY-EIGHT
KATE
Saturday, 29 October
We’ve moved to a bed and breakfast. As soon as Damien got back to the cottage with the girls, he couldn’t bear to be in it, knowing that Kyle and Mary owned it. I’m glad I didn’t have to stay there any longer. Too many memories. I finally managed to call my dad to tell him the news after Damien got me a new battery, but he was drunk. Again, I blame myself. All I want is my dad back in my life which is why, when we get back, I’m going to help him to sort his life out. Things were said in the heat of the moment. I hope he sees that. He has us now and I like to believe that he thinks we’re worth making an effort for.
In her own time, Rachel could go and see him if she wanted. I still call her Rachel because that’s what she wants.
My phone rings and I answer immediately. ‘Nadine, I’m out of hospital now. We’ll be back home in a couple of days.’
‘That’s okay. I wasn’t checking to see when you’d be back at work. I wondered how you were. We were all worried when you messaged to say you were in hospital. How are you, lovely?’
‘I’m getting there. The baby is a tough little thing but please don’t tell work yet. I should be the one to tell them when I get back.’
‘My lips are sealed. It’s your news to tell but I’m really happy for you.’
‘Thank you.’ I pause.
‘You okay?’
A little choke noise escapes me. ‘Yes, it’s all a lot to take in. Rachel hasn’t really spoken to me since the hospital and I wish she would. There’s something she doesn’t know and if she did, she might hate me.’
‘I’m sure she wouldn’t.’
‘When she went missing all those years ago, I hoped that she’d vanish. I was so jealous of her I was almost glad when it all happened. That’s horrible. I was a horrible child. I felt like the universe had answered my prayers when she went but after, I thought I’d caused her to vanish because I’d wished for it.’
‘Kate, darling. You can’t do this to yourself. That doesn’t matter so forget it. Most siblings get jealous when the new baby comes along. It’s normal. I hated my brother for years but now, we get on great. I swear I thought similar things. Look at how you fought for the truth all these years. You’re a person who cares. You did it out of love. Yes you were jealous but you loved Jess more than anything, even going as far as nearly dying to find out what happened to her. If that isn’t love, I don’t know what is. You’re the loveliest and kindest person I know, Kate. I mean you save babies from the pool that aren’t even drowning.’ Nadine lets out a slight laugh.
I’m sobbing so hard I can barely reply. ‘I owe you so much.’ Damien and the girls are approaching with a basket of petals. ‘Dammit, you’ve got me bawling my eyes out already.’
‘Sorry. I have to go as reception calls and the boss is coming. Speak soon.’
I hang up.
‘Shall we scatter those petals?’
The girls nod. They know that we’re scattering them for a baby that died in the past who was called Rachel. I hoped my Rachel would turn up but I can’t see her. Laura and Natalie step towards me. I think of Natalie being trapped in that car and drugged for hours. My heart bangs as I wonder what Kyle and Mary were going to do with Natalie and me. We’ll never know. I imagine they would have just escaped with Millie and left us to come around and escape the lock-up. Kyle had pleaded guilty overnight to various charges relating to their dead baby, the taking of Jess, and the taking of Natalie and me. He blamed my assault in the cave on Mary but they both planned it, I know they did. They both planned everything once they knew that Rachel knew the truth.
Before we go home, we’re heading to Polperro. I need to thank the lovely people who saved me a few days ago and I owe the woman who works at the pub a hoodie. The police booked hers into evidence.
We all take the walk together onto the pier where we’ll throw the pink rose petals into the water and spend a minute remembering baby Rachel. Millie grips my hand. I know this pier is a scary place for her after all that has happened. We talked about it this morning and she said she wanted to say goodbye to the baby.
The police are still looking for baby Rachel’s body. They’re searching a cottage just up from Willy Wilcox’s cave, a place that my Rachel used to play in as a child with her friends, that’s how my sister came up with the name she messaged me with. The Penroses’ used to live in Polperro when Jess was taken, in one of those beautiful hillside houses overlooking the sea. I stare along the pier and in my mind I still see Mary sitting with my daughter on the wall of that stormy pier and I shiver. Mary’s body was found a few hours later and regardless of what she did, I’m sad for Rachel.
Cody is already standing on the pier. He bows his head slightly as I approach but he doesn’t say anything. Daisy stands with Bethany, her arm linked in her friend’s. I glance back, that’s when I see Rachel approaching, her baby in a sling against her chest. She’s trying to run but the breeze is catching her skirt. One hand is holding it down, the other is dragging a baby-changing bag along. ‘I’ll just give her a hand.’
I run towards her and take the bag. ‘Let me help. I’m so glad you came.’
She stops dead and without warning, she places an arm over me, our faces meeting. ‘Thank you for finding me, for coming.’
‘I’d do it all again to have you back in my life. I’ve always missed you and I always loved you.’ Wet tears land on my neck as I hug my little sister. I stroke the baby’s soft hair too. My niece. Who knows what the future holds or how things will pan out, but for the first time in years I feel optimistic. I’m going to embrace everything life has to offer with Rachel, and I will be the strength she needs right now. ‘We’ll get through this, I promise. I’ve never asked what my little niece is called.’
Rachel tears up. ‘Katherine.’
