44
Like in any village, the devastating news of Jenna’s death spread like wildfire. Although the residents of Treweham had never known Jenna herself, they’d grown fond of Daniel over the weeks he’d lived there and most had seen his cute little girl at The Templar. Dermot had given himself the task of discreetly informing the regulars who visited the pub, whilst Christie had reserved the family room for Daniel and Emily once they were ready to return to Treweham. At the moment Daniel had taken Emily to his parents, needing to be around family. Christie’s heart cried out when she had been with them at the police station in Liverpool. Emily was pale, clearly in shock and clinging to her daddy, whilst Daniel had been quietly subdued and also shaken by the events.
During the days that followed Jenna’s death, Daniel had to obviously make contact with her family and also ring Alana Frost, his solicitor. It had crossed his mind that Jenna’s parents may try to claim Emily, but Alana had eased any worries and was in the process of overseeing the necessary legal paperwork, giving him, as Emily’s father, full care and control. That in itself was a comfort in this whole sorry mess. A part of him had felt guilty. Was it right to feel such relief when Jenna hadn’t even been laid to rest? Of course it was, his parents had told him. He was only human, and look what Jenna had put him through. Being dead didn’t make you a saint.
Daniel had contacted the police on several occasions, eager to know if JonJo had been found. He had and was being questioned. That’s all they could or would tell him. Daniel had gone back to his house that he’d shared with Jenna. Putting his key in the latch and it not turning told him the locks had been changed. He shook his head. She’d even locked him out of his own home. A cutting voice inside told him that JonJo would have a key, but he punched his fist through the window on the back door and let himself in. He’d buy new locks himself and replace the glass.
Looking round the kitchen, it was as if life was ticking along perfectly normally. Emily’s colouring book and crayons lay on the table, Jenna’s bracelet on the windowsill, along with her hand cream, even pots stacked on the draining board. Daniel frowned. This place didn’t look as if it had been left permanently. The faint stale smell was the only indicator that it hadn’t been lived in for a while.
He opened the windows to get some fresh air in, then went upstairs. He noticed a few DVDs scattered on the floor by the TV. Glancing down, his face twisted with distaste at the violent films that lay there, all for Emily to see. Once again, the urge to kill JonJo filled him. Would he be at the funeral? Half of him wanted him there, to confront him; then the other side reasoned it wouldn’t be the time or place to kick the shit out of him.
Taking a deep breath, he climbed the stairs to the master bedroom. The very same bedroom Emily had been conceived in. A sorrowful, empty sensation washed over him and his eyes filled with tears. Such a waste. They had been happy once, but that seemed a long time ago now. He pictured Emily as a baby, snuggled in between them in that huge, king-size bed. Then that cutting, taunting voice returned.They’dhave been in there too, having sex, whilst Emily slept next door. The revulsion was almost too much to bear.
He turned to leave the room and suddenly noticed Jenna’s bathrobe hanging on the back of the bedroom door. Instinctively he leant forward to smell it. There it was, the distinctive musky scent she’d worn. Daniel didn’t feel anything. No emotion at all. He then went into Emily’s room and cleared it. Most of her toys and clothes were still there, which again made him think that the move to Liverpool hadn’t been a final decision. He filled the bin liners he’d retrieved from the kitchen with all Emily’s possessions, telling himself that was the main purpose of his visit. He was done with dissecting the past. It was the future he needed to focus on.
His thoughts led to Keeper’s Cottage, his and Emily’s new home, to Christie and Treweham village. All this eased his troubled mind and it was at this point he took out his phone and searched for a local estate agent. This house was going on the market. It was time to say goodbye.
*
Tobias had learnt the sad news from Dermot who had rung him to explain why Daniel would be away from Keeper’s Cottage for a few days. Tobias, moved by what he had been told, made the trip to the site to inform the builders. After announcing to the small team of workmen what had happened, there was a short, respectful silence.
‘Poor little kiddie,’ one murmured, to everyone’s agreement.
‘I suggest, gentlemen, that this job remains our number-one priority.’
‘Aye,’ they all said.
‘So, in Daniel’s absence, I will project-manage. Any queries come to me, although I’m sure you all know what you’re doing.’ They all nodded. Tobias surveyed Keeper’s Cottage. He was impressed. The external walls were all up now and the roof was almost completely secured. ‘I say we finish the outside structure by the end of the week. Get the windows and doors in early next week and then begin the electrics and plumbing works. I want to start the internal walls in a fortnight.’ There was a pause. He looked at them. ‘I’ll pay overtime if need be, but I want this wrapping up. Daniel and his daughter need our help.’ This was greeted with more approving nods.
