Sara glanced at
the train time table then let out a deep sigh it had been almost a week since
she had found out about her real mother and although she’d promised Irene that
she wouldn’t search for her without telling her first here she was standing in
the middle of the large train station rucksack in hand and a light snack for
the journey. She thought of the short
note she’d left on her dressing table precise and to the point. She knew her mum had wanted Kimberley to go
with her but this was something she had to do on her own although she had text
Chris to tell him of her plan. She’d
expected him to stop her or at least be worried enough to go with her but no he
wasn’t bothered in the least.
Her train was
due to leave for London at 10am she checked her watched then let out a deep
sigh “Sara” she heard Ben say she whirled round “What are you doing here?” he
bowed his head “You can’t go on your own Sara” he said worriedly “Yes I can now
please leave” he stared at her trying to hide the hurt look which was now
clouding his eyes “Please just let me come with you…I promise no strings” she
let out a deep sigh “Fine…absolutely no strings Ben!” she insisted he beamed at
her “No strings” he promised as he lifted his rucksack then guided her to the
platform.
The journey
took longer than she’d anticipated and it was beginning to get dark when they
stepped from the train “I think we had better find a B & B before we do
anything else” Ben suggested Sara shook her head as she glanced at the piece of
paper “I want to go straight round and see her!” Ben took a deep breath “Sara
think about it…do you really want to lug these around the whole night?” she
shook her head “Well let’s find somewhere to stay?”
“Fine but then we go straight round”
“Yes”
They looked around the city then sighed “Wow…where to start”
Sara muttered anxiously as they crossed the busy street.
Sara looked
down on hearing her phone ring the light flashing ‘mum’ she took a deep
breath then answered “I’m okay mum” she assured “I’ll call you later okay?” she
said then ended the call switching her mobile phone off.
Ben was
beginning to panic a little as night fell and they still hadn’t found anywhere
“What about over there?” Sara suggested, “It looks a little shady,” warned Ben
“Beggars can’t be choosers come on” he followed her across the cobbled street
to the white painted door.
Ben looked
around the room “Christ Sara we can’t stay here look at the place?” she looked
up at the ceiling then the walls where dark patches were visible “What do you
suggest we do walk the streets?” he let out a deep sigh as he felt the bed
“It’ll be okay…it’s only for one night” she insisted “Sara look around” she
sank onto the old worn armchair “It’s only for one night!” she added tiredly.
Next morning
she woke still fully clothed Ben’s jacket over her as he’d insisted she didn’t
go under the covers she tilted her head towards the armchair where she found
him fast asleep head resting uncomfortably on his hand “Ben” she whispered he
moved slightly “Ben come on it’s gone eight” he blinked as he watched her open
the curtains “breakfast’s at 8.30” he nodded solemnly as he moved his head from
side to side to get rid of the crick in his neck “You okay?” he nodded drowsily
as he stood up “You go wash first” he offered.
Sara’s mobile
begun to ring while she was washing Ben reached over looking at the screen ‘Chris’
he side glanced the door then promptly switched it off “Was that a phone?” Sara
quizzed when she returned he slowly shook his head “Oh” she looked downhearted
“Were you waiting for someone?” she shrugged “I just thought Chris would
call…anyway bathrooms free” she smiled happily as she pushed her dirty clothes
into her rucksack.
As soon as Ben appeared they went down to
breakfast then left soon afterwards Ben pushing Sara’s phone into his rucksack
before catching up with her.
Sara let out a
deep breath as she strolled along the street her insides churning as she walked
“Wow are you sure this is the street?” Ben said impressed she nodded
apprehensively “Shit your Mum must be rich” said Ben obviously impressed.
The houses
reminded Sara of the scene in Oliver Twist when the boy goes to live
with the old man all the houses were huge with black painted doors black
railings and cobbled street “This is it?” she said anxiously “Come on” Ben said
as he gently placed his arm around her shoulder “Are you sure you want to do
this?” she nodded “I came all this way” he smiled as he twisted the doorbell
and was taken aback when a young woman dressed in pink dress and white apron
answered the door “Yes?” Ben’s eyes widened “Are we in some kind of time
warp?” he whispered “What?” said the girl “Never mind I would like to
speak to Miss Isobel Landers please” Sara said in a polite voice “Who?” Sara
glanced down at the piece of paper she held in her shaking hands “Isobel
Landers”
“Who is it Donna?”
“I ain’t sure Mrs Duncan-Jones”
“Well did you ask girl?”
“My God! We are in a
time warp,” muttered Ben
“Yes Mrs Duncan-Jones she said she wants to speak to a Miss
Isobel Landers”
There was a long pause before a woman dressed in a light
pink tweed suit appeared looking white faced “Sorry who did you say?” Sara
cleared her throat “Isobel Landers she’s my mother” the woman swallowed
“Well…there’s no-one by that name here…now please leave”
Sara took a few paces away staring at the older woman she
was Isobel Landers all right she was the image of Irene Landers her sister
“Please I just want to speak to you” she pleaded near to tears “And I told you
I’m not who you think I am!” Ben came up next to Sara placing an arm around her
“Come on…she obviously doesn’t want to talk to you” he spoke in a soft gentle
tone “But I came all this way” Sara said frantically “It’s okay” he whispered
as he stared at the well dressed woman “Sorry to have bothered you Madam” he
said in a low firm tone.
Sara looked
distressed as she was lead away from the door “I only want to talk to her Ben”
she said “It’s okay…I have an idea” he said Sara stared at him “What?” he
opened his rucksack and begun to rummage inside “Ah found it” he said looking
pleased with himself “What are you doing?”
“Playing dirty”
“What?”
“Well I think the reason she said she wasn’t Isobel Landers
is because her husband doesn’t know about you”
“Oh”
“Yes”
“So…what are you going to do?”
“I’m going to try a little blackmail”
“BLACKMAIL!”
“Do you want to speak to her or not?” she nodded “Well then
Blackmail it is” he added as he begun to write “Mind to sent me the visitor
slip so I may visit you in prison” Sara muttered as she watched Ben cross the
street and slip the piece of paper through the door.
Isobel
Duncan-Jones took the note from her maid before the girl had a chance to ogle
it “Is everyfink all right Mrs Duncan-Jones?” she inquired, “Just get on with
your work” she hissed as she read the contents of the letter “Confounded
hooligan!” she barked as she went to change.