Chapter 7: My Mother's## Chapter 7: My Mother's Second Life
"She never died.""
I read the words again.
Second Life
"She never died.""
I read the words again.
Then a third time.
My mother had been dead for six years. I had held herThen a third time.
My mother had been dead for six years. I had held her hand in a hospital room while the machines beside her bed made their steady, mechanical sounds. I had hand in a hospital room while the machines beside her bed made their steady, mechanical sounds. I had kissed her forehead after the nurse told me there was nothing more they could do.
I had chosen her funeral dress kissed her forehead after the nurse told me there was nothing more they could do.
I had chosen her funeral dress.
I had watched them lower her coffin.
There was no version of my life in which Susan Bennett had survived.
I had watched them lower her coffin.
There was no version of my life in which Susan Bennett had survived.
Yet someone had written those three words inside a music box she had given me.
"Who wrote this?"" I whispered.
Yet someone had written those three words inside a music box she had given me.
"Who wrote this?"" I whispered.
Eleanor looked at the photograph on Robert's phone.
"I don't know.""
"You're telling me my mother might be alive.
Eleanor looked at the photograph on Robert's phone.
"I don't know.""
"You're telling me my mother might be alive?""
"No. I'm telling you that we need to find out why someone wants us to believe she might be.""
Julian turned toward Robert.
"Get the police to preserve Clara?""
"No. I'm telling you that we need to find out why someone wants us to believe she might be.""
Julian turned toward Robert.
"Get the police to preserve Clara's apartment. Nobody touches anything.""
Robert nodded.
"And find out whether anyone followed her daughter here.""
"Yes,'s apartment. Nobody touches anything.""
Robert nodded.
"And find out whether anyone followed her daughter here.""
"Yes, sir.""
Julian looked at me.
"Clara, Lily needs to remain somewhere secure.""
I pulled my arm away.
"Stop sir.""
Julian looked at me.
"Clara, Lily needs to remain somewhere secure.""
I pulled my arm away.
"Stop telling me what to do with my daughter.""
He went quiet.
I immediately regretted the sharpness of my voice, but I telling me what to do with my daughter.""
He went quiet.
I immediately regretted the sharpness of my voice, but I couldn't take it back.
"She's my responsibility," I continued.
"I've looked after her alone for eight years. I don't couldn't take it back.
"She's my responsibility," I continued.
"I've looked after her alone for eight years. I don't need someone who discovered he was her grandfather an hour ago deciding where she sleeps.""
Julian lowered need someone who discovered he was her grandfather an hour ago deciding where she sleeps.""
Julian lowered his eyes.
"You're right.""
The simple admission surprised me.
He didn't argue.
Didn't remind me that he owned the house or his eyes.
"You're right.""
The simple admission surprised me.
He didn't argue.
Didn't remind me that he owned the house or that he had security teams at his disposal.
He simply nodded.
"Then tell me what you need.""
I looked toward the window.
"I need to see that he had security teams at his disposal.
He simply nodded.
"Then tell me what you need.""
I looked toward the window.
"I need to see my apartment.""
Margaret objected immediately.
"That's not advisable.""
"Someone has been inside my home. My my apartment.""
Margaret objected immediately.
"That's not advisable.""
"Someone has been inside my home. My mother's belongings are there. I need to know what they touched.""
Julian looked at Robert.
"Arrange an escort. No one enters the property until the police finish processing it mother's belongings are there. I need to know what they touched.""
Julian looked at Robert.
"Arrange an escort. No one enters the property until the police finish processing it.""
"And Lily?"" I asked.
"She can come with us if you prefer.""
I shook my head.
"She's.""
"And Lily?"" I asked.
"She can come with us if you prefer.""
I shook my head.
"She's staying here with Eleanor.""
Eleanor looked surprised.
Then she reached for my hand.
"I staying here with Eleanor.""
Eleanor looked surprised.
Then she reached for my hand.
"I'll look after her.""
I hesitated.
I barely knew this woman.
But she had known my mother.
And, apparently, she'll look after her.""
I hesitated.
I barely knew this woman.
But she had known my mother.
And, apparently, she had spent years carrying secrets that could explain half my life.
"Please don't let her out of your had spent years carrying secrets that could explain half my life.
"Please don't let her out of your sight.""
"I won't.""
Before leaving, I stopped beside Julian.
"One thing.""
"Yes?""
"If you really are my father, don't sight.""
"I won't.""
Before leaving, I stopped beside Julian.
"One thing.""
"Yes?""
"If you really are my father, don't make promises you can't keep.""
His expression softened.
"I won't.""
I walked out without looking back.
The drive to my apartment took thirty make promises you can't keep.""
His expression softened.
"I won't.""
I walked out without looking back.
The drive to my apartment took thirty-five minutes.
Robert sat beside me in the back of the security vehicle while another car followed behind.
Nobody-five minutes.
Robert sat beside me in the back of the security vehicle while another car followed behind.
Nobody spoke much.
I watched familiar streets pass through the window.
The little bakery where I bought Lily's birthday spoke much.
I watched familiar streets pass through the window.
The little bakery where I bought Lily's birthday cakes.
The bus stop where my mother used to wait for me after school.
The pharmacy where I had collected cakes.
The bus stop where my mother used to wait for me after school.
The pharmacy where I had collected her medication during her final months.
Everything looked painfully ordinary.
When we reached my building, two her medication during her final months.
Everything looked painfully ordinary.
When we reached my building, two police officers were standing outside.
One approached Robert.
"Mr. Hayes?""
"Yes.""
"The property has been secured. You police officers were standing outside.
One approached Robert.
"Mr. Hayes?""
"Yes.""
"The property has been secured. You can enter after we explain what we've found.""
He turned toward me.
"Miss Bennett, there is something you should see can enter after we explain what we've found.""
He turned toward me.
"Miss Bennett, there is something you should see.""
We climbed the stairs.
My apartment door had been forced open.
The lock hung crookedly.
Inside, the.""
We climbed the stairs.
My apartment door had been forced open.
The lock hung crookedly.
Inside, the living room looked almost untouched.
The television was still on its stand. Lily's drawings remained living room looked almost untouched.
The television was still on its stand. Lily's drawings remained attached to the refrigerator. A half-finished puzzle sat on the coffee table.
But my bedroom was a disaster.
Draw attached to the refrigerator. A half-finished puzzle sat on the coffee table.
But my bedroom was a disaster.
Drawers emptied.
Clothes thrown onto the floor.
The mattress had been lifted.
The music box lay beneath the windowers emptied.
Clothes thrown onto the floor.
The mattress had been lifted.
The music box lay beneath the window.
I approached it carefully.
A police officer pointed toward the open lid.
"The compartment was empty when we arrived.""
I crouched.
The metal lining had been.
I approached it carefully.
A police officer pointed toward the open lid.
"The compartment was empty when we arrived.""
I crouched.
The metal lining had been removed.
Someone had used a narrow tool to pry it out.
"Did they take anything else?""
"We're still removed.
Someone had used a narrow tool to pry it out.
"Did they take anything else?""
"We're still checking.""
I picked up the music box.
The ballerina was missing.
My mother had wound it every Christmas when checking.""
I picked up the music box.
The ballerina was missing.
My mother had wound it every Christmas when I was little. I could still remember the tune.
It had always been a little uneven.
"Cl I was little. I could still remember the tune.
It had always been a little uneven.
"Clara?""
Robert stood behind me.
"Look at this.""
He pointed toward the back of the wardrobe.
A small section of wallpaper had been peeled away.
Behindara?""
Robert stood behind me.
"Look at this.""
He pointed toward the back of the wardrobe.
A small section of wallpaper had been peeled away.
Behind it was a rectangular outline.
I touched the wall.
There was a shallow cavity.
Empty.
My stomach tightened.
it was a rectangular outline.
I touched the wall.
There was a shallow cavity.
Empty.
My stomach tightened.
"Something was hidden here.""
Robert nodded.
"Possibly.""
I stepped back.
"Can someone tell me what my mother was doing?""
Nobody answered.
Then my"Something was hidden here.""
Robert nodded.
"Possibly.""
I stepped back.
"Can someone tell me what my mother was doing?""
Nobody answered.
Then my phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
I answered.
"Hello?""
A woman's voice came through.
Older.
Soft.
And familiar enough to make my heart phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
I answered.
"Hello?""
A woman's voice came through.
Older.
Soft.
And familiar enough to make my heart stop.
"Clara?""
I couldn't breathe.
"Who is this?""
A pause.
Then:
"It's Mum stop.
"Clara?""
I couldn't breathe.
"Who is this?""
A pause.
Then:
"It's Mum.""
The phone slipped slightly in my hand.
"No.""
"Sweetheart, please listen.""
I grabbed the edge.""
The phone slipped slightly in my hand.
"No.""
"Sweetheart, please listen.""
I grabbed the edge of the wardrobe.
"Who is this?""
"It's me.""
My mouth went dry.
"That's impossible.""
"I know what you think happened.""
I closed of the wardrobe.
"Who is this?""
"It's me.""
My mouth went dry.
"That's impossible.""
"I know what you think happened.""
I closed my eyes.
"Where are you?""
"I can't tell you.""
"Are you alive?""
A quiet sob came through the speaker.
"Yes.""
my eyes.
"Where are you?""
"I can't tell you.""
"Are you alive?""
A quiet sob came through the speaker.
"Yes.""
I felt the floor disappear beneath me.
"Why?""
She didn't answer.
"Why did you leave me?""
"Clara—"
"WhyI felt the floor disappear beneath me.
"Why?""
She didn't answer.
"Why did you leave me?""
"Clara—"
"Why did you let me bury you?""
"Because I had to protect you.""
I started crying.
Not quietly.
Not gracefully.
The kind of crying that did you let me bury you?""
"Because I had to protect you.""
I started crying.
Not quietly.
Not gracefully.
The kind of crying that comes from a wound you thought had already healed.
"You let me believe you were dead!""
"I know.""
"I comes from a wound you thought had already healed.
"You let me believe you were dead!""
"I know.""
"I sat beside your bed. I held your hand. I watched them close the coffin!""
"I know sat beside your bed. I held your hand. I watched them close the coffin!""
"I know, sweetheart.""
"Then how could you do that to me?""
There was silence.
Then she said something I would never forget.
"Because the woman, sweetheart.""
"Then how could you do that to me?""
There was silence.
Then she said something I would never forget.
"Because the woman in that coffin wasn't me.""
I covered my mouth.
Robert stepped closer.
I held up one hand, in that coffin wasn't me.""
I covered my mouth.
Robert stepped closer.
I held up one hand, begging him not to interrupt.
"Who was it?""
"A woman who helped me escape.""
"Who?""
"Her name was Helen. She worked at begging him not to interrupt.
"Who was it?""
"A woman who helped me escape.""
"Who?""
"Her name was Helen. She worked at the clinic where I was receiving treatment.""
My mind struggled to catch up.
"What treatment?""
" the clinic where I was receiving treatment.""
My mind struggled to catch up.
"What treatment?""
"Clara, I don't have time. They're looking for the recording.""
Clara, I don't have time. They're looking for the recording.""
"Who?""
"Victoria. And someone else.""
"Adrian?""
A pause.
"Yes.""
I stared at the phone.
"Adrian Ashford is alive?""
"Yes.""
"Where is he?""
"I don't know anymore.""
Her voice became urgent.
"Listen carefully. The music box"Who?""
"Victoria. And someone else.""
"Adrian?""
A pause.
"Yes.""
I stared at the phone.
"Adrian Ashford is alive?""
"Yes.""
"Where is he?""
"I don't know anymore.""
Her voice became urgent.
"Listen carefully. The music box was never the hiding place. It was the key.""
I looked at the damaged compartment.
"What does that mean?""
"Find the old photograph of me and Eleanor. The one taken in the hospital garden. Look behind was never the hiding place. It was the key.""
I looked at the damaged compartment.
"What does that mean?""
"Find the old photograph of me and Eleanor. The one taken in the hospital garden. Look behind the frame.""
"Where?""
"At Ashford Manor. The east wing.""
I swallowed.
"Why?""
"Because that's where I left the original recording.""
A noise sounded the frame.""
"Where?""
"At Ashford Manor. The east wing.""
I swallowed.
"Why?""
"Because that's where I left the original recording.""
A noise sounded behind her.
She stopped speaking.
"Mum?""
"Clara, there's something else.""
"What?""
"Don't trust the man who tells you he is your father.""
My blood ran cold.
" behind her.
She stopped speaking.
"Mum?""
"Clara, there's something else.""
"What?""
"Don't trust the man who tells you he is your father.""
My blood ran cold.
"Julian?""
"Your father is not the only Ashford who has a claim on you.""
The call crackled.
Then she whispered:
"Adrian knowsJulian?""
"Your father is not the only Ashford who has a claim on you.""
The call crackled.
Then she whispered:
"Adrian knows who you really are.""
The line went dead.
I stared at the phone.
My hands shook so violently that Robert had to take it from me.
"Clara?""
I couldn't speak.
He looked at the call who you really are.""
The line went dead.
I stared at the phone.
My hands shook so violently that Robert had to take it from me.
"Clara?""
I couldn't speak.
He looked at the call record.
"Did you recognize the voice?""
I nodded.
"It was my mother.""
Robert glanced toward the police officers.
"Are you certain?""
" record.
"Did you recognize the voice?""
I nodded.
"It was my mother.""
Robert glanced toward the police officers.
"Are you certain?""
"Nobody else says my name like that.""
He lookedNobody else says my name like that.""
He looked at me for a moment.
Then his radio crackled.
at me for a moment.
Then his radio crackled.
"Mr. Hayes, we have a situation at the estate.""
Robert answered.
"Go ahead.""
The voice on the radio was frantic.
"Miss Lily is missing.""
Everything inside me stopped.
"What?""
Robert grabbed the radio.
"Repeat that.""
"Miss Lily has disappeared from the east garden. Mrs. Ashford says she was playing"Mr. Hayes, we have a situation at the estate.""
Robert answered.
"Go ahead.""
The voice on the radio was frantic.
"Miss Lily is missing.""
Everything inside me stopped.
"What?""
Robert grabbed the radio.
"Repeat that.""
"Miss Lily has disappeared from the east garden. Mrs. Ashford says she was playing near the fountain. She turned away for less than a minute.""
I ran toward the door.
"Get near the fountain. She turned away for less than a minute.""
I ran toward the door.
"Get the car!""
Robert followed.
I was already dialing Eleanor.
No answer.
I called again.
Nothing.
Then the car!""
Robert followed.
I was already dialing Eleanor.
No answer.
I called again.
Nothing.
Then a message appeared on my phone.
A photograph.
Lily sitting in the back seat of a black car.
Her eyes were wet.
Her a message appeared on my phone.
A photograph.
Lily sitting in the back seat of a black car.
Her eyes were wet.
Her little hands were pressed against the window.
Beneath the photograph was a message.
**BRING THE RECORDING TO little hands were pressed against the window.
Beneath the photograph was a message.
*BRING THE RECORDING TO THE OLD CHAPEL. COME ALONE.*
I called Julian.
He answered immediately.
"Clara?""
THE OLD CHAPEL. COME ALONE.**
I called Julian.
He answered immediately.
"Clara?""
"They have Lily.""
Silence.
Then his voice changed.
"Where?""
"I don't know. They sent me a photograph"They have Lily.""
Silence.
Then his voice changed.
"Where?""
"I don't know. They sent me a photograph.""
"Send it to me.""
I did.
"Clara, listen carefully. Do not go anywhere alone.""
"They.""
"Send it to me.""
I did.
"Clara, listen carefully. Do not go anywhere alone.""
"They said—"
"I don't care what they said.""
His voice broke.
"That's my granddaughter.""
I closed said—"
"I don't care what they said.""
His voice broke.
"That's my granddaughter.""
I closed my eyes.
For the first time, he sounded less like a wealthy businessman and more like a man terrified of losing another member of his family.
"Find my eyes.
For the first time, he sounded less like a wealthy businessman and more like a man terrified of losing another member of his family.
"Find her," I whispered.
"I will.""
Then he said something that made my blood turn cold.
"Clara, the old chapel is on her," I whispered.
"I will.""
Then he said something that made my blood turn cold.
"Clara, the old chapel is on the abandoned Ashford estate.""
"Why?""
"Because that's where Adrian was buried.""
And suddenly, I understood the abandoned Ashford estate.""
"Why?""
"Because that's where Adrian was buried.""
And suddenly, I understood.
The man who had supposedly died twenty years earlier had chosen the one place nobody would think.
The man who had supposedly died twenty years earlier had chosen the one place nobody would think to search for him.
A graveyard.
May you like
to search for him.
A graveyard.
