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Missing
Jul 27, 2009 10:32:11 GMT 1
Post by PamA on Jul 27, 2009 10:32:11 GMT 1
Missing
Sunday 11.30 am
“Um, something smells good!” Ruth smiled as she made a great show of sniffing the air. “It’s just roast beef. I thought we’d have a good old English roast dinner today. I’m sure Jimmi would appreciate it. Now,” Julia rummaged in her purse, “here,” she said handing Ruth a £10 note, “be a love and pop out and get a couple of Sunday papers and a bottle of wine.” “Red or white?” “Should be red I suppose as we’re having beef but to be honest, I fancy a nice drop of Chablis, so white then. Oh and Ruth, could you do me another favour?” “What?” Ruth asked grinning at Julia. “It’s a little bit out of your way…..” Julia hesitated. “What is?” “Mrs. Bradshaw’s. I always send the old dear a birthday card but I’ve been so busy I forgot to post it and it’s her birthday today.” Julia looked expectantly at Ruth. “Where does she live?” Ruth asked. Ruth was so grateful for all that Julia had done for her that she was only too happy to do anything she could to help out. “Raleigh Crescent.” Ruth shook her head. “Where’s that? I don’t know it.” “It’s in that new sheltered housing complex. You know. The one they built where the old Letherbridge hospital was. Raleigh Crescent is the second turning off the main Letherbridge Road. It is a bit out of your way, so would you mind?” “No,” Ruth gave a little laugh, “I could do with a bit of exercise.” “You can take the car if you want.” “No, I’ll walk.” Julia handed her a large white envelope. “That’s really good of you Ruth. Mrs. Bradshaw lives at number 26. Just pop it through the letter box. Be as quick as you can.” “I will. The smell of that meat is making me hungry already. Hope you’re making Yorkshire puddings to go with that beef.” “Roast beef with no Yorkshires!” Julia threw her hands up in horror. “It’s the full works my dear! Now off you go and don’t dawdle.”
Sunday 12.30 pm
The doorbell rings and Julia makes her way down the hall. “Forgotten your key Ruth” she calls as she opens the door. “You’ve been ages,” she adds but much to her surprise it’s not Ruth standing there but Jimmi. “Am I too early?” He asks with a grin, “I could go away and come back in half an hour.” “Don’t be silly. Come on in.” Julia steps back to allow Jimmi to enter. “I thought you were Ruth,” she explains, “she went out an hour ago to buy papers and wine and she’s still not back. Mind you,” she continues, “I did ask her to drop a card in to Mrs. Bradshaw’s over at the sheltered housing and she didn’t know where it was, so I guess she could have got a bit lost.” “Give her a ring on her mobile if you’re worried,” Jimmi suggests and Julia agrees that it might be a good idea to call her. “Come through to the kitchen Jimmi. I just need to get the potatoes in the oven and then I’ll ring.” Jimmi follows her and sits watching as Julia ladles hot fat over the potatoes. “I’d better get some oil heating up for the Yorkshires,” she says picking up a baking tin, but almost immediately putting it back down, “On second thoughts, I think I’ll ring Ruth first.” Julia picks up her phone and scrolls down the contact list until she finds Ruth’s number. She hits the call button and waits. “It’s ringing,” she says to Jimmi. “Yes,” Jimmi agrees, “it’s ringing somewhere very nearby, like the hall!” “Damn! She obviously didn’t take it with her. Oh well, I’m sure she’ll be back soon, so I’ll get on with preparing the dinner and you, Jimmi, can open the bottle of wine which I can see you so thoughtfully brought with you. You’ll find a corkscrew in the drawer by the sink and glasses in the cupboard up there.” Jimmi opens the wine and pours out two glasses. “Here”, he says, handing one to Julia. “Leave it on the table for a minute, would you, while I get the oil in to heat.” Jimmi obediently puts the glass down on the table. Julia pops the Yorkshire pudding tin into the oven and checks the potatoes, tossing them around in the hot oil. She shuts the oven door and comes to sit at the table with Jimmi. “I’m worried Jimmi,” Julia takes a sip of her wine. “I hope nothing’s happened to her.” “Probably bumped into a friend and is so busy chatting she’s lost track of the time.” “Ruth doesn’t have any friends outside work, you know that as well as I do Jimmi. No, I can’t help thinking that something must have happened.” “Don’t you think she would have found a way to let you know by now?” “Supposing she’s unconscious?” Alarming images formed in Julia’s mind. “Oh Jimmi, supposing she’s been knocked down by a car or mugged or ….” “Calm down Julia.” Jimmi reaches across the table and takes hold of Julia’s hand. “There’s probably a completely rational explanation and more than likely she’ll come walking through that door any minute.” “Yes, you’re right. I’m letting my imagination run away with me but, Jimmi, you know, after all she’s been through, well…..” “I know.” Jimmi said reassuringly. “Look we’ll give her another hour and then, if she’s still not back, we’ll start to get worried. O.K?” Jimmi grinned at Julia who smiled sheepishly back at him. “I guess I am getting a bit paranoid. It’s a deal – one hour and then we’ll, I don’t know, go and look for her, check the hospitals, whatever one does in these situations.” “Look, if you like, I’ll phone the station and check to see if there’s been any incidents she might have got caught up in.” “Would you Jimmi?” Julia looks relieved. “It might afford me some peace of mind.” “It’s not a very good signal in here.” Jimmi says, “Alright if I go outside.” Julia nods and Jimmi makes his way into the garden. Julia watches him through the window, sees him talking on the phone and apparently nodding in agreement to something being said on the other end of the phone. Her heart starts beating rapidly in fear as she is convinced that at any moment she is going to hear some bad news. Jimmi comes back in, shaking his head and saying, “Nothing. Apparently it’s been a very quiet day up to now.” Seeing the look of anguish on Julia’s face, he adds, “She’ll be fine Julia. I’m sure there is some rational explanation for why she’s been so long. I bet you that any moment now she’ll come bursting through the door.”
To be continued…………………………
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Post by PamA on Aug 1, 2009 12:27:58 GMT 1
Part Two
Sunday 1.30 pm
Julia is pacing the floor, her hands cupped to her mouth. She lowers her hands and turns to Jimmi who is taking potatoes and Yorkshire puddings out of the oven. Julia was annoyed that he’d insisted on carrying on with the dinner preparation, but he’d put it to her that Ruth could walk back in at any minute and subsequently had made Julia carry on cooking despite her objections. “It’s no good Jimmi. I think we need to call the police and report her missing.” Julia reaches for the telephone but Jimmi puts down the hot tins and takes the phone away from her. “Julia, they won’t do anything yet.” “What do you mean they won’t do anything? They must!” Indignantly, Julia makes to take the phone back from him but Jimmi holds on tightly. “She’s an adult Julia,” he patiently explains, “She has to be missing for at least 24 hours before they’ll take any action. If you call now they’ll just tell you to check with her friends, that she’s probably lost track of time, things like that.” “Not Ruth. She wouldn’t do that and as we both know she doesn’t seem to have many friends, or any friends come to that, outside of the surgery. No Jimmi, I just know something has happened to her. Give me the phone.” Julia holds her hand out but Jimmi continues to hold on to the handset. “I can always use my mobile Jimmi, so you might as well hand it over.” Reluctantly Jimmi passes her the phone. “What’s the number of the station?” She asks, “I don’t want to dial 999.” “Here,” Jimmi passes her his mobile, “Use mine. The number's stored in there. You’ll find the signal's better outside.” Julia takes the phone and steps out into the garden. Jimmi begins to carve the beef, his gaze frequently straying to where Julia is deep in conversation with someone at the station. He can see that she’s getting angry, not just by the expression on her face, but also by the way her free arm is waving up and down as if she is hitting at an unseen enemy. Finally she cuts the call off and storms back into the kitchen. “They won’t do anything yet,” she says, seething in anger. “Well, I did….” “Don’t tell me you told me so. I don’t want to hear. And why are you carving that meat, for goodness sake?” “We can’t let it go to waste. At the very least we can use it later for sandwiches or something.” Jimmi looks at her, concern written all over his face. “What do you want to do? Do you want to go and look for her? See if we can spot her somewhere? Retrace her footsteps, maybe?” “Retrace her footsteps? Well, that would be a start wouldn’t it? Better than sitting here doing nothing.” As she speaks she reaches for her handbag and rummages in it for her car keys. “I never drank my wine, so I guess I’m alright to drive. Come on Jimmi.” “Wait a minute. I’ve just had a thought.” Julia looks at him questioningly. Jimmi continues. “Perhaps we should ring the others, make sure she’s not at one of their homes.” “Do you think so? I can’t imagine that she wouldn’t have called if that were the case. But,” Julia pauses and sighs, “if you really think so, well come on let’s do it quickly. But, in all honesty Jimmi, I think it will be a waste of time. I mean, there was a time when I would just assume she was with Michelle, but, well you know…” “Yes, you’re right. It’s probably not worth calling anyone. Come on, let’s get going. Where to first?” “To the newsagent I suppose. I’m assuming that would be her first port of call. Jimmi,” Julia looks thoughtful, “do you think we should walk. I mean, Ruth was walking, perhaps it would be better to try and follow her footsteps, so to speak.” “Makes sense.” Jimmi says in agreement. “We can always come back and drive around a bit, if need be, if we don’t see her that is.”
The newsagent was only a short walk from Julia’s house. Tom and Jill Turner, the owners, had run the shop for some years and were well acquainted with all the locals. There was little that happened in the surrounding area that they didn’t know about and were jokingly referred to as `the eyes and ears’ of the neighbourhood. “Afternoon Julia,” Jill says as they enter the shop. “What can I do for you?” Julia gets straight to the point. “Did Ruth come in here earlier?” “Ruth?” “Yes, Ruth. You know the young lady that’s staying with me.” “I’ve only been here for about 10 minutes. Been over seeing our Robert and the new baby. Oh he’s lovely Julia. Looks just like Robert did – spitting image, and Robert’s over the moon. I tell you……” “I’m sure he is,” Julia interrupts, “but I need to know if Ruth’s been in.” “Oh I see.” Jill seems slightly put out by Julia’s seeming lack of interest in her new grandchild. “I’ll get Tom. He’s been here all day. Tom!” She calls out and Tom appears from the back of the shop. “Julia wants to know if Ruth’s been in.” “Ruth? Oh she was in here a while ago, bought a Sunday Telegraph and the Express.” “How long ago?” Jimmi asks. Tom looks pensive and after a short pause answers, “Oh it must be an hour or two ago.” “How did she seem?” Jimmi queries, “I mean, was she okay? No problems or anything?” “Problems? What do you mean problems? She bought two newspapers, paid for them and left. What more would there be?” “I mean,” Jimmi perseveres at his questioning, “she didn’t seem, I don’t know, agitated or upset or something.” Tom shrugged, “She just seemed like she always does. She didn’t say much – just the usual sort of thing, `nice day’, `how are you’, nothing more than that. And, to be honest, the shop was pretty busy when she came in, so there wasn’t time for chatting.” Tom looks earnestly at Jimmi and Julia, “There’s nothing wrong is there? What’s with all the questioning? Has something happened to her?” “Not that we know of,” Julia says, although her voice lacks confidence and she can see immediately that Tom is not satisfied with her answer. “What is it Julia, what’s happened?” Tom asks anxiously. “We don’t know,” Jimmi answers him. “She’s not come back yet and we’re just trying to find out if anyone’s seen her. Look, um, if she should come back, gave us a ring would you?” He hands Tom one of his business cards. “My mobile number’s on there.” Tom takes the card, looks at it and nods his head. “Will do.” He places the card next to the cash register. “Thanks,” Julia says as they leave the shop. Tom and Jill watch them go, and then return to what they were doing before Julia and Jimmi’s arrival. The next stop was the off-licence but, this too, drew a blank. The young man serving had a vague recollection of Ruth coming in but couldn’t be certain. “Right,” Julia says, “Next stop Mrs. Bradshaw’s.” Julia has a sudden thought, “I suppose it’s always possible that Mrs. Bradshaw’s kept her talking. These old dears do get lonely.” Jimmi nods. “You could be right but, don’t you think, it’s rather a long time to be chatting?” Julia sighs and bites her bottom lip. “I’m clutching at straws, aren’t I? It’s just, I’m so worried Jimmi. I’ve just got a horrible feeling that something awful has happened to her.”
To be continued.
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Post by PamA on Aug 8, 2009 17:13:37 GMT 1
Part Three
It took Jimmi and Julia a little over 10 minutes to walk to Mrs. Bradshaw’s. After leaving the Off Licence they’d spent some time discussing the route that Ruth would most likely have taken, and had finally agreed that there was only one logical way she could have gone. Julia had the beginnings of a headache coming on, largely due to the anxiety of not knowing what could possibly have happened to Ruth, and possibly also due to hunger, but she decided not to tell Jimmi of this. She’d noticed that Jimmi was starting to rub his hands together and knew that this could be a sign that his OCD was kicking in, so she had no desire to add to his worries. Mrs. Bradshaw opened the door almost as soon as they knocked. “Oh, Julia!” she exclaimed, “I was just on my way out. I’m going to Elsie Smith’s for the afternoon. Between you and me, I think she’s planning a little surprise birthday party for me.” Mrs. Bradshaw beamed at them as she spoke. “I’m 85, you know. Oh of course you do. Oh, what am I thinking of, I haven’t even thanked you for your card. It’s so kind of you Julia. You never forget my birthday do you? Is there something wrong love?” She asked, noticing that Julia seemed to be taking little notice of anything she was saying. “No. I’m alright. Betty,” Julia took hold of Betty’s hand as she spoke, “Did you actually see Ruth, speak to Ruth? She dropped the card in for me.” “Ruth? Oh the receptionist you mean. No, I didn’t see her. She just popped the card through the letterbox.” “Can you remember what time?” Jimmi asked. “Well, I can’t be absolutely sure. It must have been round mid-day some time. I didn’t actually hear it come through the door – bit deaf you know.” Betty Bradshaw smiled at her last remark, and then added, anxiously, “Nothing wrong is there?” “No, no. Nothing to worry yourself about. Just, um,” Jimmi hesitated trying to think of a reason he could give the old lady, but before he could formulate an answer Julia butted in. “Just wanted to be sure you got your card.” Betty beamed. “Oh I did. Thank you so much, my dear.” She looked at her watch, bringing it closer to her face in order to be able to see the hands more clearly. “Goodness, you’ll have to excuse me. I’m running late. Elsie will be wondering where I’ve got to.” She pulled the door shut and with a “Bye now” made her way to her friend’s home. “So, what now?” Jimmi asked. “I mean, by my reckoning she should have taken less than an hour to do everything.” “I don’t know. I wish I did.” Julia put her hand to her mouth and, for a moment or two, looked thoughtfully at Jimmi. “Maybe,” she finally said, “we should try walking back a different way.” Jimmi looked doubtful but recognising the note of hope in Julia’s voice, nodded his head and smiled. “I suppose it’s possible that she might have chosen a different way home. So, which way do you suggest?” Julia bit her bottom lip and looked up and down the road as she weighed up her options. “I think………….” “Yoo hoo. Dr. Clay, Julia!” A stick thin figure, dressed in a purple frock that had seen better days and had obviously been bought when the wearer carried a little more weight, was waving at them. “Oh no!” Julia whispered to Jimmi, “I don’t believe it. This is all we need – Doris Tarrant, the town gossip!” Doris came over to them, almost running in her eagerness to speak to them. “Fancy seeing you here on a Sunday afternoon. I was just looking out of my window and I thought to myself, my goodness, if it isn’t that nice doctor from the surgery and, of course, you as well Julia. See you were talking to that Betty Bradshaw.” Doris sniffed disapprovingly, “It’s her birthday today, you know, and I know there’s a bit of a party going on over at Elsie’s. They think I don’t know what goes on round here, but I saw Elsie going round inviting people. Not me. Not that I’d want to go anyway.” “Nice talking to you Mrs.Tarrant, but I’m afraid we really don’t have the time to stand here chatting.” Jimmi began to walk away as he spoke but drew to a halt as he heard Doris’s next statement. “Thought you’d come about the fuss with that young receptionist of yours.” “What fuss? Young receptionist – do you mean Ruth?” “I don’t know her name - pretty young thing, short fair hair. Yes, come to think of it, I think her name is Ruth; always very polite on the phone when I ring for an appointment, though usually too busy to chat. Everyone seems too busy to chat these days though, don’t they?” “Yes Doris, but what fuss? What did you see?” Julia couldn’t hide the note of impatience in her voice but Doris seemed totally oblivious to this and carried on talking. “I think her hair suits her like that. Mind you I liked it long as well. She was ill or something wasn’t she? I know she was missing for a long time and I’m sure someone said….” “Mrs. Tarrant will you please get to the point.” Jimmi said irritably. “Oh sorry I’m sure.” Doris Tarrant folded her arms across her chest and looked daggers at Jimmi. “Pardon me for breathing.” “Doris, I’m sure Jimmi didn’t mean to offend you. It’s just that we’re worried about Ruth and if you know anything about what she’s…….” Julia hesitated, not wanting Doris Tarrant to know that Ruth was to all intents and purposes missing. “Well, not worried, of course we’re not worried.” Julia smiled. “We’re just curious to know what you meant by a fuss. What happened exactly?” Doris Tarrant stood for a moment, looking from one to the other as if indecisive about whether to let them know just what it was that she had witnessed that morning. Fortunately for them, there was no way that Doris could ever be quiet about anything for long and finally, with a deep sigh, she began to speak. “I just happened to look out of the window; I’m not one for that you know, spying through the nets.” “I bet you’re not” Julia thought to herself, and although she would dearly love to have voiced this out loud to the elderly lady, she didn’t. Instead with a sweet smile she said, “Of course not. Anyway what did you see?” “Well, I can’t say for sure but it looked like they were arguing.” “Who were?” Jimmi asked. “Ruth and that other one. You know, that nurse, – Michelle is it?” “Michelle!” Jimmi and Julia exclaimed together and looked at each other, shock registering on their faces. “You sure it was Michelle – Michelle Corrigan?” Julia asked. “I’m pretty sure it was.” Doris screwed her face up in concentration. “Yes, I think it was her.” Julia shook her head at Jimmi in exasperation. “Doris, was it or wasn’t it?” “Yes it was. I said so didn’t I?” Doris replied indignantly. “What happened? Are you sure they were arguing?” Jimmi asked. “Well, it looked like it. Then Ruth, well, it seemed like she had enough, if you know what I mean, and went to walk away and that Michelle kind of grabbed her by the arm and tried to pull her back.” Doris’s attention was suddenly elsewhere. “Ooh look, there’s old Bob Church. Yoohooo Bob.” Doris waved to an elderly gentleman who was making his way across the road. “Bet he’s been invited to Betty’s party.” She said, disdainfully. “He’s not even acknowledged me. Did you see that? Completely ignored me.” Julia sighed with frustration, “What happened next?” “What happened next with what?” Doris looked baffled by Julia’s question, “Oh, you mean with Ruth and whatsername. Right, now where had I got to? Oh yes, Michelle pulled her back and then, let me think, yes, that’s right, Ruth pulled away again and ran off down the road.” Jimmi could see that Doris was beginning to lose interest in the conversation as she appeared to be looking up and down the road, as if afraid she might miss something while they engaged her in talk. “And Michelle? What did she do?” He asked anxiously. “Ran after her, of course. Look, it’s lovely talking to you but I really must be going. I’ve just seen that Ivy Logan going over to the warden. I wonder what’s up with her now.” Doris made to move away but Jimmi quickly stepped in front of her, blocking her escape. “Which way Doris?” he asked, “Which way did they go?” She pointed towards the other end of the crescent. “That way,” she said and, pushing Jimmi aside, added, “They ran down there, now out of me way.” They watched as Doris made her way rapidly down to the warden’s house. “What now?” Jimmi looked at Julia who hesitated for a mere fraction of a second before answering him. “I guess we need to go and see Michelle,” she said, and Jimmi nodded in agreement.
To be continued……….
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Missing
Aug 25, 2009 16:32:18 GMT 1
Post by PamA on Aug 25, 2009 16:32:18 GMT 1
Part Three
By the time they got back to Julia’s house, Jimmi was having second thoughts about confronting Michelle. “You know Julia, there might be a perfectly reasonable explanation about what Doris saw. I mean, we can’t even be certain it was Michelle.” “She seemed pretty certain and, let’s be honest Jimmi, Michelle has been pretty aggressive recently. Who knows what she might be capable of doing?” “Apart from anything else, Julia, why would Michelle be over that way? It’s not exactly on the road to anywhere she’s likely to be going.” “Maybe she followed her.” Julia suggested, “Maybe she’s been watching the house, waiting for a chance.” Jimmi gave a half laugh. “Julia, have you any idea how ridiculous that sounds? They’ve been getting on so much better recently and all that aggression seems to have calmed down since their little talk; I can’t believe that there’d be any trouble now.” Julia pursed her lips and looked thoughtful. “I still think we should go and see her Jimmi. I wish I had your confidence, but to be honest I’m not convinced that Michelle is okay with her at all. I think it could all be a bit of a front.” Julia paused and turning picked up her car keys from the hall table, “So, are you coming with me or not?” Jimmi rubbed the back of his neck and looked towards the ceiling. He sighed, “I guess I’d better come, even if it’s only to stop you getting too heavy. First, though, I really could do with something to eat and I daresay you could too. Why don’t we make ourselves a cold beef sandwich and a cup of tea before we do anything else? I’ll do it if you don’t feel like it.” Julia looked distinctly put out by Jimmi’s obvious refusal to leave immediately and somewhat reluctantly agreed to his proposal. It seemed to her that he was being deliberately slow as he prepared their snack meal and when he’d finished she grudgingly accepted the sandwich he’d made her, sighing as she did so. “Have you got any mustard?” He asked, before taking a bite out of the doorstep he’d prepared for himself. Julia didn’t reply but pointed to a cupboard on the wall behind her. Jimmi opened the cupboard door and searched for a jar of mustard and was just about to say, “I can’t see any,” when he spotted it lurking behind a jar of pickle. Jimmi wolfed down his sandwich; Julia simply nibbled at hers and when Jimmi had finished she put it down on a plate and said, “Come on. We’ve wasted enough time. Let’s go!” Jimmi was feeling distinctly nervy about the forthcoming meeting. The more he thought about it, the more he was convinced that it was not a good idea. Recently Julia seemed to have almost had a personality change. Of course, the business between Michelle and Ruth had caused her a great deal of anguish, but as far as Jimmi was concerned it was all now pretty much in the past. A slightly easier atmosphere now existed between the two girls and, somehow, Jimmi really couldn’t see Michelle accosting Ruth in the street. It worried him, too, that Julia was so willing to believe bad of Michelle, without any real evidence that anything untoward had taken place between the two young women. Was the word of a local gossip to be taken seriously? After all, Doris hadn’t seemed entirely certain at first, so there was a possibility, a distinct possibility, that she could have been mistaken. “Are you coming or not?” Julia asked, her voice clearly expressing the impatience she felt with him. “We’ve wasted enough time.” As she made her way to the door, Jimmi grabbed her arm to stop her. “Are you sure about this Julia?” he asked. “Quite sure. Now can we please get going?” “Wait one minute,” Jimmi pleaded, “Have you thought of what you’re going to do when you get there?” Julia gave a kind of half laugh and looked at him as if she couldn’t believe what he was saying. “I’ll ask her what happened, of course. What do you think I’m going to do?” “It might not have been her that Doris saw. Have you thought of that?” “Doris seemed pretty certain. Michelle goes over to the old people quite often so they know her well. No, it must have been her.” “And if she says it wasn’t? Will you give her the benefit of the doubt?” “Let’s see shall we? Now, come on. I need to know where Ruth is, what’s happened to her. Surely you can understand that Jimmi?” “Look, we’re both worried about her, but steaming into Michelle might not be the best thing to do.” “I’m not steaming in!” Julia laid a great deal of emphasis on the word `steaming’. “What do you take me for? I’ll just ask her if she’s seen Ruth, that’s all, and we’ll take it from there.” “And if she says she hasn’t? Then what?” “Jimmi, let’s just go.” Julia pulled her arm away and headed for the front door and Jimmi, with an obvious lack of enthusiasm, followed her. They drove to Michelle’s house in complete silence, parked outside and walked up to the front door and still not a word passed between them. Jimmi was hopeful that Michelle would be out and thus a confrontation would be avoided, for confrontation he was certain there would be. Julia rang the doorbell and waited for a few moments before ringing the doorbell again. “Give her a chance,” Jimmi said a little annoyed with her for not waiting longer for Michelle to come to the door. Julia glared at him and rang the doorbell again. The door opened to a patently annoyed Michelle saying, “Alright, give me a minute. Oh it’s you!” The look of surprise on Michelle’s face turned to one of delight as she recognised her colleagues. “What are you doing here?” “Can we come in?” Julia asked, but was already making her way through the front door even as she said it. “Yes.” Michelle looked at Jimmi questioningly. “What’s going on?” she asked him, but he simply shook his head and followed Julia through to the sitting room. Michelle followed him, sensing that something was wrong but totally baffled about what it could be. “What is it Julia?” She asked. “Has something happened? Someone been hurt or something?” “When did you last see Ruth?” Julia’s tone of voice made it more of a demand than a question. “Ruth?” Michelle looked puzzled. “I dunno. Thursday or Friday I suppose. Why? Is she alright?” Julia didn’t answer but continued with her line of questioning. “Where were you this morning Michelle?” “Me? Where was I? I was here; I haven’t left the house all day. Why does it matter where I was?” She turned to face Jimmi. “What’s all this about Jimmi?” Jimmi shrugged his shoulders and looked at Julia for an explanation. “You were seen Michelle.” Julia said in response. “Seen? Where? I have no idea what you’re talking about.” By now Michelle was beginning to get annoyed. “You were seen in Raleigh Crescent arguing with Ruth and Ruth hasn’t been seen or heard of since.” Michelle looked totally dumbfounded. “Who saw me? I’m telling you Julia, I haven’t been outside the house all day.” “It doesn’t matter who it was, you were seen, so why are you denying it?” “Because I wasn’t there!” Michelle sat down and put her head in her hands. “I don’t believe this. What am I meant to have done Julia? Just what are you accusing me of?” “The person who saw you was sure it was you so, why are you denying it Michelle?” “Hang on a minute Julia,” Jimmi interceded, “Are you going to take Doris Tarrant’s word against Michelle’s.” “Doris Tarrant!” Michelle practically shouted the name. “Doris Tarrant said she saw me with Ruth and you believe that old busybody!” “Michelle,” Julia adopted a tone of great patience as she spoke, “Ruth is missing. She went out on some errands for me and she hasn’t come back. She’s left her mobile behind so we can’t even ring her. As far as we know you are the last person to see Ruth and you were having some kind of altercation with her. If you know where she is why don’t you just come clean and tell us?” Michelle stood up and moved until she was face to face with Julia. “I have not seen her and I do not have a clue where she is. Now, if that’s all I would like you to leave unless, of course, you want to search my home. I mean I could have done her in and I might have her hidden in a cupboard somewhere.” “There’s no need to be like that Michelle,” Julia retorted. “With your history with Ruth what do you expect us to believe?” “Well, you know what Julia? It would be nice if you believed me for a change.” Jimmi stepped forward as if to make a barrier between the two women. “I really think we should go Julia.” Julia hesitated for a moment before saying, “Alright.” She left the room without a backward glance, not even to say `goodbye’. Jimmi took Michelle’s hand and softly said, “I’m sorry about that. I did try to stop her coming but, well, you know Julia.” “I used to think I did,” Michelle replied, “but now I’m not so sure.”
To be continued…………………………..
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Missing
Sept 10, 2009 15:10:37 GMT 1
Post by PamA on Sept 10, 2009 15:10:37 GMT 1
Part Four
Julia was growing increasingly impatient as she waited at the door of Michelle’s home for Jimmi to join her. “Come on Jimmi,” she called and sighed deeply as he failed to respond. Jimmi could hear her but was reluctant to leave an obviously distressed Michelle. “Are you going to be alright?” he asked, putting his head to one side and looking directly into Michelle’s eyes. “She’ll calm down and realise what nonsense it is to think you’d have anything to do with harming Ruth in any way.” “Will she?” It was Michelle’s turn to sigh. “You know Jimmi, what really hurts is that she’s so ready to believe wrong of me. It’s like Ruth has become her surrogate daughter and can’t do any wrong, but Michelle – well that’s a different case altogether, Michelle can’t do anything right as far as Julia’s concerned.” “Jimmi are you coming or not?” Julia’s voice called once again from the hallway. “Look I’d better go.” Jimmi got hold of Michelle’s shoulders and gently squeezed them. “It will be alright, you’ll see. I’ll talk to her, get her to calm down. Okay?” Michelle nodded but without any real enthusiasm. Jimmi opened his mouth as if he were about to say something more and hesitated before saying, “Well, I’d best be going. Michelle….?” “What?” “It doesn’t matter. I’ll call you later.” Jimmi made his way to the front door where Julia stood tapping her foot and sighing deeply. “You took your time,” she said angrily, “come on we need to get to the police station.” “Police station? I’ve told you already Julia, they won’t be interested till she’s been missing a bit longer than this.” “Yes, well, things have changed Jimmi. They need to know about Michelle.” “What about Michelle?” “That she was seen arguing with Ruth, of course.” Julia shook her head as if unable to believe that she’d had to explain this point to Jimmi. “Michelle denies it Julia. You can’t go making accusations like this without some concrete proof.” “She was seen Jimmi. What more proof do you want?” “It’s the word of a woman who is well known for gossip mongering against the word of our practice nurse. Come on, Julia, which one of them do you think is the one to be believed?” Julia looked at him, doubt creeping in to her mind. “Well, to be honest, at one time I would never have even considered Michelle capable of being vindictive but, well, you’ve got to admit Jimmi the Ruth business really got to her.” “True. But that doesn’t mean that she’d do anything awful to Ruth and she was pretty adamant that she hadn’t been out anywhere today. Look, Julia, if it will make you feel any better we’ll go to the station but don’t mention anything about Michelle.” Julia contemplated Jimmi’s suggestion. “Alright,” she said finally, “but I’m still not convinced that Michelle was completely honest with us.” Jimmi’s phone rang. “Excuse me a minute. I need to take this call.” He walked a little way down the road and Julia could see him nodding as he listened to the person on the other end of the phone. At last he walked back to her, putting his phone back in his pocket as he did. “Ruth’s been found,” he said, “She’s in St.Phils.” “St. Phils? What’s happened to her?” “She’s apparently been the victim of quite a vicious mugging. Someone found her on a piece of wasteland near to the sheltered housing complex.” Julia’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh no! How is she? Will she be alright?” “I don’t think it’s anything life threatening but I gather she’s been pretty badly beaten,” Jimmi paused and looked at Julia before adding, “Still think it’s Michelle responsible?” “Of course not!” Julia replied adamantly, “There’s no way that Michelle would do anything like that! Oh Jimmi,” Julia looked at him, guilt written all over her face, “What have I done?” She turned and went to make her back to Michelle’s front door, “I must see Michelle, apologise.” Jimmi put his hand out to stop her. “She might not be ready to listen to an apology Julia.” Julia stopped, took a deep breath and knocked on the door. “I have to do this Jimmi,” she said, “I have to make things right.” The door opened but when Michelle saw who was standing there she made to shut it but Julia forestalled her by quickly crossing over the threshold and into the hall. “What now Julia?” Michelle’s tone was sarcastic. “Come to accuse me of something else?” “No. I’ve come to apologise. Michelle I am so sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking of. Can you ever forgive me?” Michelle looked at Jimmi as if for an answer to Julia’s question but he simply raised his eyebrows and shook his head as if to say “I don’t know what you should do.” “Please Michelle; please can we put this behind us?” Michelle stood in complete silence unable and unwilling to ease Julia’s conscience. Julia looked at her appealingly. “Please Michelle,” she repeated, “I don’t know what came over me. I should never have believed that woman!” Michelle finally spoke out, “But you did, didn’t you? And that’s what really hurts, that you could believe someone else that you don’t know as well as you know me!” “I jumped to a conclusion. I shouldn’t have I know, but I did. We all get it wrong sometimes Michelle.” “You know, Julia, Ruth and me have been getting on much better lately. I can’t say it was like it was but it’s a start, and we really don’t need you making assumptions and making things worse for us. Anyway, what’s happened? Something has obviously happened for you to be contrite all of a sudden.” “Ruth’s in hospital,” Jimmi explained, “Apparently she’s been mugged and left in a bit of a state. Purse and phone missing but someone at St. Phils recognised her.” “Shouldn’t you be there?” Michelle asked somewhat sarcastically, “At her bedside?” “Come with us Michelle,” Julia held her hand out as if in a gesture of friendliness, but Michelle shook her head and said, “I don’t think so.” “Then at least tell me you forgive me,” Julia pleaded. Jimmi looked from one to the other and could see by the expression on Michelle’s face that she wasn’t ready to give Julia the absolution she needed. “Come on Julia,” he said, “Leave it for now. Let’s get to the hospital. You can talk to Michelle tomorrow.” The look Michelle gave him was one of total relief and she nodded at him in agreement of his suggestion. It was fairly clear that Julia was less happy with his words, but she could see that Michelle was probably in no mood to engage in making friends so, reluctantly, she turned and went with Jimmi to the car.
They were both audibly shocked when they saw Ruth. Her face was puffy and was already starting to bruise and a large graze ran from her forehead down to jaw line on the left side of her face. She was sleeping when they got to the hospital having been given a mild sedative. A young constable was leaving the room when they arrived. Jimmi introduced him to Julia as Dan Ryden. “She’s just given me a bit of a statement, but she got a bit tired so I’m leaving her for now” he explained. “We’ve already got the culprit, caught red handed with Ruth’s purse on her.” “That was pretty quick work.” Jimmi looked suitably impressed. “It wasn’t too difficult to be honest. She used the money in the purse to buy some gear and overdosed. She was found not that far from where Ruth was found.” “Tell me something,” Julia looked at Dan quizzically, “do you know our practice nurse – Michelle Corrigan?” “Michelle? Yes I was at school with her. Not in the same year but she knocked about with my sister. Why?” “The girl who did this to Ruth – did she look anything like Michelle?” “Not unless Michelle’s turned into a skinny redhead. No, she’s nothing like her. In fact, she couldn’t be more different.” “And, do we know where the assault took place?” Jimmi asked. “It was on the road along by the sheltered housing – Raleigh Crescent. Ruth just told me that Kelly approached her just after she left a ..” He hesitated and quickly opened his notebook to remind himself of what she had said. “Mrs. Bradshaw’s. Asked her for money but Ruth refused and went to move but Kelly grabbed her by the arm. Ruth pulled away, ran off and Kelly chased after her, caught up with her and, well, you can see what she did. You know, junkies can be incredibly strong when they’re in need of a fix.” “Oh dear,” Julia said with a sigh, “we really have got things wrong, haven’t we Jimmi?” “We?” Jimmi replied and made his way over to Ruth’s bedside.
Monday 9pm
“Come in!” Julia called in response to the knock on her office door. Michelle entered. “How’s Ruth?” “All being well she’ll be out today. They kept her in overnight just to be on the safe side.” “Good, I’m glad to hear that,” Michelle said with conviction. She hesitated and took a deep breath before continuing, “We need to talk Julia,” Michelle said and Julia nodded her agreement. “I know we do. Michelle You can’t know how bad I feel about yesterday. I am just so sorry. I wish I could turn the clock back but I can’t. Is there any chance you could ever forgive me?” Michelle gave a half smile. “Maybe,” she said, “in time. I’ve been thinking though, Julia, I could do with some time off.” “Of course. When, how long?” “As soon as possible and as for how long, I want to take a sabbatical for a year.” “A year!” Julia exclaimed. “What will you do?” “A friend of mine is setting up a clinic for children in South Africa. She asked me a while ago to join her but I wasn’t sure but, well, now I think I need to get away from this place. It’s getting harder for me to work here.” “I suppose the situation with Ruth will take a long time to really allow for a fully comfortable working atmosphere.” “Ruth? It’s nothing to do with Ruth. Julia it’s you I can’t work with. You have no idea how hurt I was yesterday; hurt that you could believe such a thing of me. I can’t work with someone who doesn’t trust me. I’m sorry Julia, but it’s you I need to get away from.” If Julia was shocked by this she didn’t show it, but she looked suitably contrite as she said, “I am sorry, you know, really sorry.” “I know, and maybe with time away I can put all this behind me and we could start again, but I need some space from you Julia and this is the best option I have.” “And you’ll come back at the end of the year?” Michelle hesitated before answering, “Probably,” she said, “but not definitely. You know, the world doesn’t begin and end in Letherbridge. There’s a big world out there Julia and it’s time I saw it.” And with that she stood up and left the room, closing the door firmly behind her.
The end
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