I nod, and Moya turns back towards Marianne.
‘Yes, I was there, too afraid to speak a word, my own neck on the line, a decision that haunts me still. But here I am with a second chance to make things right and prevent history from repeating itself,’ Moya says in a cold voice. ‘God is the only one who can judge you now.’
‘Marianne… is this true?’ Gus demands, his eyes displaying incredulity as he stares at his wife. ‘Is this true?’
She swallows hard, finally nodding. ‘Yes, it’s true,’ she rasps, trembling from head to toe.
Sergeant Brennan steps forward, allowing Marianne to offer her wrists for handcuffs, tears streaming down her cheeks as she’s taken away. But when she looks up, it’s directly at me. ‘I’m sorry, Daisy, I’m not proud of myself, but I’ll say this: I did what I did to protect my home and my family. To survive.’
She scans the kitchen full of people before continuing. ‘I’m sorry to all of you.’
For a moment, our gazes lock, and it feels as if the world tilts on its axis. I take a deep breath; Oscar wraps around my legs as I look around the room. Gus has his head in his hands. What will this mean for him? Losing his wife to prison? Grace looks pale and stricken – how will she cope with the shame of villagers gossiping about her? Stephen is trembling from shock and alcohol addiction: he’ll keep drinking until he blacks out. And then fall into an early grave.
I don’t want this to be the way it is. I’d rather not start another round of sorrow, deception and disgrace. I think of my favouriteForest Fableverse, the one that’s stayed like a sticker on my heart since I first heard my mother read the words to me.
Let’s leave behind what no longer fits
And build something better, with exciting bits.
Sergeant Brennan brushes off her uniform trousers and steps closer to Marianne saying, ‘Right, time to go.’
I hold up my hand and say, ‘Hold on – not yet.’
She looks at me suspiciously.
‘No handcuffs. There’s no need for any as I’m not taking this any further.’
‘What about the charges?’ she inquires. ‘We’re looking at second-degree arson under the Criminal Damage Act because of the fire alone… never mind all else: theft, defamation, suppression of evidence.’ Sergeant Brennan looks to Marianne. ‘You’re facing serious punishment, Marianne – this is no minor offence here – you could have killed these two.’ She looks at us.
As we stand in the McDonaghs’ kitchen, shock, anger, disgust all mingle together to form an undefinable mixture that leaves me breathless. Yet, even as my heart aches, I can’t help but think about the what ifs.
What ifmy mother and Mick were still here?
What ifthis nightmare had never unfolded?
What ifeverything could have been so different?Better?
Marianne, the person we once trusted and thought of as a close companion, set the fire that caused so much harm – and tried to put the blame on others she wanted out of her life. I thought of her as a friend, but do I really know the person behind the pleasant facade? Is she truly malicious or more a scared, desperate individual struggling to maintain control over matters that are out of her reach?
I glance at James and see he’s feeling the same doubts as me. He reaches for my hand, offering his understanding and help. With his touch, my determination begins to build inside me.
What ifI don’t let myself be overcome by darkness – by the dark clouds of Marianne’s behaviour?
What ifI can shape my own destiny in Innisfree?
WhatifI don’t give away my power to change this story and take this chance to give it a brand-new ending, this time a much better one?
I came to Innisfree in search of the truth and have found it. I always had faith that the truth would set me free.
I step forward to Marianne and give Sergeant Brennan the nod. I’ve made my decision.
‘The truth is,’ I confess, ‘you took away my mother. You robbed me of my past.’ I look to James. ‘But I’ve grown tired of fighting against the tide. I’m ready for a new beginning, to get on with my life. Thank you for your assistance, Sergeant. I won’t be pursuing this further.’
Sergeant Brennan shakes her head in disbelief. ‘You can do what you want, but I think you’re making a mistake.’
‘I know what I’m doing, thank you,’ I tell her.
She shrugs and walks out of the kitchen, muttering under her breath.
